Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1922-02-24

Win Satisfaction the Sugary coated
mince, the shoulder-strapped cranberry
and the deep, luscious squash pies.
Next she inspected the neat rows of
goodies on the pantry shelves; jellies,
chow-chows, celery, nuts and candies
everything to tempt the appetites Of
her numerous family, which gathered
yearly at Christmas time.
There was graham bread for Melissa,
who did not care for white, and there
were Boobies raspberry tarts without
which, to him, Christmas dinner
would be incomplete.
The old lady's smile faded as she
gazed at the faky tarts, Although
twenty-four years old, Bob was her
baby, and now for the first time In his
life was causing her much worry. All
of the remainder of her large brood
had married well.
Bob had set aside all of the tradi-
tons of his family and was excepting
company" with a slim, delicate little
city girl, partial to shiny, dark, plain
satin dresses and wearing the style of
bobbed hair which, to family like the
Abbotts, spelt the stage or a question
able character. The dear little old
fashioned mother wiped away tear
with the back of gnarled hand. To
day this unreal little creature was to
take Christmas dinner with the family,
and although she felt unfaithful to her
boy for thinking Of such a thing, she
| hoped with all her heart that Miss
Ainslie would sense the difference be-
tween herself and Bob's own rosy
checked sisters Perhaps even Bob
himself would be brought to a reallza-
| ton Of the difference.
Its all for Bobs happiness" she
told the raspberry tarts husklly, as a
long line of family ancestors swept
swiftly before her vision.
Why even Bob himself had horrid
| dent in his side where shrapnel had
ripped him open. No! This little non
descript nonentity could not enter their
family Of brave traditions.
Later, around the creaking, festive
| board, she looked them all over; big
stalwart men and gay plump, rosy.
checked women, all happy in the JOY
Of family reunion. Truly the slim,
satiny figure, between Melissa and
Bobby looked out Of place, though she
smiled bravely and chatted quietly
with Bob.
They were in the midst of the steam
ing plum pudding when the door bell
pealed merrily and Bob ushered in
cousin who was too far from his home
to get there in time for Christmas din
ner. "Hope you doa't mind me drop
ping in on you this way, Aunt LIP"
he asked, knowing full well what the
answer would be.
BLESS your heart, no. she made
haste to reply, and promptly set about
to make the unexpected guest comfort
able.
In the general confusion Of greet
ings it was some time before the new
conner was introduced to little Miss
Ainslie, but when Bob did the honors,
to the amazement of everyone the late
conner just stared.
Lefty Ainsllel Can 1t be possible2"
III an instant he was around the table,
holding tight to two slim white hands.
They told me Bob had a sweet
heart, but they didn't say who she
! was John was explaining eagerly.
'To think that Lettie Ainslie of soup
| kitchen fame should become u men,
Der Of our humble family. What
do you think of her, Aunt Lilf'
81 don't understand, John" she an
swered meekly.
81 didn't tell them, captain" came
trembllngly from little Miss Ainslie's
quiverlng lips.
Didn't tell them. Oh, boy, what a
Christmas story. I'm too starved to
tell 1t all now, but later Look" He
lifted back the despised bangs of the
Dutch clip and disclosed an ugly, jag
ged scar. Her memento of the big
fight ladies and gentlemen. Some
brave kid, I'll say; right there with the
hot stuff and the comforting words
when we needed them most"
"Please, captain" came a small
voice from Letty's corner. "Mayn't
we finish Mother Abbott's delicious
plum pudding In peaceT
Something welled up in the old
lady's heart. "Yes, let the dear child
eat her dinner; afterwards she can tell
us all about 1t. Lefty, dear, try one
Of Bobbie's fayorite tarts."
Into the old lady's family history
passed suddenly with great pride and
thankfulness, sweet, slim little crea-
ture, the equal of all the Abbotts that
had passed on before.