The Topeka state journal., 1922-12-23
EDening Story
Lost: A Sprig of MistIetoe.
BY H. LOUIS RAYBOLD.

| 61 II. AOO1S fSA BULL.
The Hopkins girls were out wreath
hunting''-that is, they were over in
Growers woods after Creeping Jenny
out of which to fashion gay Christmas
wreaths for city trade.
Looks like somebody had been
here before us,'' exclaimed Sarah. the
older but less near-sigAted of the two,
as she peered over her glasses at un-
mistakable footprints in the mossy
ground. wonder who 'twas,"
''Hmm-bet youN it's That's Miller
girl. She makes 'em up every year.
Funny what happened to bust up her
and that nice Tom williams. Course
she-goes around town pretending she
doesn't care that he Threw her over,
ut-why-what-
The two women stopped short, their
shabby-bonnetted heads bent a tKifle
forward the better t. hear with ears
sounds issuing from a small semi
circle of stunted cedars in the shell
tered hollow Sobs-long, shivering
sobs. That's what the Hopkins girls
heard.
Sarah gazed in embarrassment at
Sister Carrie, then, taking the initia-
tive as became her superior years.
stalked reSolutely forward to, investi-
gate, while Carrie followed at her
heels. There, within the twilight pro-
lection of the Scrubby evergreens, face
down on the damp earth, lay the
slight Quivering figure of Kitty Miller,
half-filled basket o1 Creeping Jenny
beside her proclaiming the errand on
which she had come
For her weeping there appeared no
apparent explanation: Sarah coughed
nervously. Carrie followed her ex-
ample. Kitty sat suddenly erect, stiff
ling the sobbing breaths which were
on the way and making pretense
at c6mposIfre. ~'Thought nobody'd
find me here" she said. Game up to
get stuff for wreaths."
.sYou-you seem to be unhappy or
or upsetl' Sarah's attempt at sym
pathy succeeded in rendering her
voice gruff and Kitty, alert like all
young things to resent pity Sshrank
Its nothing" she muttered, almost
sullenly. \ Got thinking. That's ALL
furious. Going along She picked
up her basket and turned away.
That< evening the annual pre-
Christmas discussion as to whom they
place in the tiny but cozy Hopkins
sitting room. Each year for many
years it had been Sarah's and Carries
custom to invite some person who
would not be otherwise looked out for
to share their hospitality, frugal al
tho it was forced to be. This year
Sarah spoke for a distap+ Cousin and
wondered why Carrie was slow in
acquiescing.
HAD you ever thought. Sarah
a young girl living with Hat Smith
that isn't really any relation and Hats
c1ose-fisted husband?"
Sarahis lips Strengthened in cold,
ing her here?" she inquired coldly.
mo, oh, no. No, indeed, only, poor
thing, she did look kind of young and
pittful today
Sarah's expression softened at the
memory of the slim. shaking figure
Every well, Carrie. we'll ask Kitty
Miller. Only don't expect that Christ
mas with two old hens will suit her
much better than the one she's used
to!' Which words gave Carrie
pause.
However, Kitty accepted and the
day before Christmas found the Hop
lkins girls in a great hustle of prepara-
ton. BE sure you make a plenty. of
cranb'ry sauce, Sarah, and two punkin
pies" admonished Carrie. mo use
skimping.''
Sarah impatiently. Never got up so
much of a dinner before, You mus
of six starving soldiers, the way yon
keep at me to provide enough victuals.
But look here, Carrie, see what L
found uptowni Dropped by some
body. Sarah held up a tiny Sprig or
nistletoe, that expensive little parasite
without which no Christmas for young
people is complete. Then she fastened
it conspicuously at the top of the
doorway--just why, Carrie wondered
grirn1y, as she caught a glimpse of
her own withered, unkissable face in
the mantel mirror.
1t was just before the. Christmas
dinner was served that the inexplica
BILE happened. Sardh was opening
the oven door whence issued succu-
lent-odors suggestive of plump spring
chickens Drowned to a turn when the
door bell rang. Land sakes!' cried
Sarah.
Land sakesi" echoed Carrie faint
ly.t Better let me go, SARAH
think it's Tom Williams. I happened
to ask him to dinneri"
Tom II was indeed and after a few,