Evening star., 1923-12-23

He chuckled as he went down the
steps. "Guess that'il hold 'em." But
his lips curlcd scornfully as he
lighted his cigar.
He sighed and looked up at the
starIit sky. 'Oh. Mary, Mary. we've
got some work to do. believe me-!
Came a wonderfully bright and
glorious Christmas morning.
Abby Renshaw had left the attic
room and was comfortably settled In
a big leather chair In the library.
Tho old lady's face beamed with hap
piness She had Just finished open
ing her Christmas gifts.
you shouldn't have done 1t" look
ing up at Bob in loving reproach. as
she fingered caressingly the beautiful
fur coat in her lap.
Beatrice glanced down a bit en-
viously. It'll have to borrow 1t.
mother, when I go to the opera 1t
makes mine LOOK positively shabby"
She went over to Clarence. He was
frowning angrily:
You ought to have given mother
something better than that gray XII
mono. Beside Bobs gift 1t looks
cheaper than dirt"
Beatrice tossed her head. II guess
he can afford to give her fur coat.
He hasn't given her anything in
thirty years"
Bob bent over his mothers chair.
You are going to christen that coat
today. have a car coming at III
o'clock to take you for little ride"
"THIs is a real pleasure" Abby
Renshaw leaned back in a cor
ner Of the limousine and beamed at
her son. IT feel rich"
You are rich. mother"
She glanced out Of the window.
why. we're most. out to the old
place. Good land! # there amt Abe
Parker She waved franticalIy.
The old man took of his cap and
| waved back.
Bobby, how did you know I'd ra-
ther ride out here than any place In
the world?' She craned forward
There's the house. and. why-there's
| smoke coming out of the chimney
She turned tremulously. Il didn't
know those people were going to
move in so SOON"
The car stopped at the gate, and
Bob sprang out and opened the door
Abby drew back. "I don't believe
/ want to stop, Bobby. You see. we
don't own it any more"
Il y x
Then the door of the house flew
| open and out ran Phoebe Shorter
Jennie Holcomb, Fanny Reed and al
| the neighbors round about.
Merry Christmas" welcome
home, Abby" Glad to see ye back
Abby Renshaw!'' Should think
| twas time you came home.
| They almost carried the bewildered
old lady up the walk and into the
| sitting room.
The same sitting room, with the
coal fire glowing redly: and from the
kitchen came the delicious odor OF
cooking turkey.
They placed Abby in the old red
rocker Bob came forward with a
tall woman. a stranger. This il
| Mary, mother"
| 'Mary?"
| The tall woman stopped and toob
| Abby's face between white, strong
capable hands. Dear Mother Rem.
shawl
| There's something in your lap
| mother" Bob said, gently
| A folded white paper. With trem'
bling fingers Abby opened 1t: 'Kath
/ ryn Carley to Abby RenshAw."
| Abby raised tear-wet eyes. IT dom
understand" she whispered brokenly
| Mary caught her trembling hand
"The old place is yours, mother. fol
always. Bob bought it back from
Mrs. Carley. She was very lovel3
about 1t when she understood. Their
| he sent for me and I'm going to stay
with you till you're well and strong
and Phoebe is going to live with you
Hear how happy she is! Then next
/ summer Bob and will come for sew.
eral weeks and always at Christmas