The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-01-23

stage an enormous Christmas tree glittered with colour and Hgtt Six l hundred people were crowded into | ne room. more than half Of them 1 children. Babies twisted and climbed | n the laps of their radiant mothers, 1 small girls and boys everywhere were estless with excitement and antici- l Dat1on- Miss 'Toland only appeared at | intervals, spending most of the after noon with few chosen guests in the reception hall, but Julia was every
 Where at once. She wore a plain white linen gown, with a bit of holly m her hair and on her breast, and whether she was narshalling small girls into groups. stopping to admire new baby, meeting the confection- CTS men and their immense freezers at the draughty side door, talking fhyly with the directbr in Miss Toi- 2nd's room. or consoIing some weep ing infant in the hall, she was fol-
 owed by admiring eyes
 At three o'clock tue general rest in the hall between steaming wet garments and persniria- humanity became almost insufferable. Julia eXperimentally opened a door and let In wet blast of air, but this WAS too drastic, and her eyes were brou.l1t lack from wistful study of the hlga windows by voice that said:
 Merry Christmas! Give me :. tick, and I'll do it for you!"
 Tie girl found her hand in Doctor
 
 T didn't know you were here.' said Julia. in swift memory of their last meeting.
 Just come.'' He looked at her, all kindiness. How goes it?'
 Finely" Julia answered. When ne had opened a window, he followed her across the room Il may stay near you, mayn't I?'
 T am just going to beg1n,' Julia said, liking her place at the piano, "a I,e. ion of it. Her small person seemed sud- denly fired with authority. She struck a ;aol, full chord. "Children!" she Some one is still talking! Keep still, 1 everybody. please! Keep still, every one. Nov we are geing, to sing tn, the give out the presents Listen. every | one! We are going to sing the 'Adeste' and then give out the pres | only to our own girls and boys. 70 l you understand that? Listen, c1iI- l dren, please! |
 But we have a box of candy for --'erv child here whether that child | comes to any of the classes or not! | >o don't go home without your candy l And don't come up for your present l until you hear your name called, do l child coming up before Miss Pierce !. calls her nanle. I'll send her right | I7e"k to her seat! Now, the 'Adeste pleaseI"
 Jim had listened in intense amuse- ment. How positive she was and now authoritativel Her straight little back, her severe braids, her ster.. N'''o eT-e~ rowing the hall as she 1 touched the familiar chords, were all |
 diderent from the vague young | women who were Barbara's friends. | She played a few wandering chords | after the distribution of gifts began. l watching the children file up the l asile and listening, with only an oc- casional lifting of her blue eyes to his face. to Doctor Studdiford's srnif- | ing comments. Her heart was beat ing hi@h under a flood of ursensed joy, she did not know why-but she was happy beyond all words.
 "Im afraid i'll have to go help Miss Pierce and Miss F,urey. Doctor" she said presently, standing up. Our Miss Scott, who got married two years ago, used to be a perfect wonder at times like this! Here, little girl lit tie girl! You don't come to the classes. do you? No? We'll. then l go back to your seat and wait-you | seei" She turned despair1ngy to Jim. You see, they're simply mall- |
 q have to g9 anyway" said Jim
 "Oh?" Julia turned surprised eyes toward him and said the one thing