The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1926-10-07
CHAPTER ~
The Ravished Nest.


TT WOULD be difficult to say
L which enjoyed the doll house
more. Lydia or Patience. 1t would be
difficult to say which was the more
touched. Lizzie or Amos, by the
package each found on the break
fast table. Amos unwrapped his to
find therein a pipe tray fashioned
from cigar box wood and stained
with Lydia's walnut dye. Bizzie's
gift was a fiat black pincushion,
with Lizzie, with love from Lydia
embroidered on it in red. Lydia
and Patience each wore pinned to
her dress a cotton handkerchief,
Lizzie's gift.
John Levine appeared at noon,
laden like a pack horse. This was
his great opportunity during the
wear to do things for the Dudley
children and he took full advantage
Of the moment. Books for Lydia,
little toys for the baby, a pipe for
Amos, a wooden dress pattern for
Lizzie, a blue sailor suit for Lydia,
a fur hood for Patience.
Johns thin, sallow face glowed,
his black eyes cleaned as he
watched the children unwrap the
packages. IN the midst of the ex-
element, Lydia shrieked:
"NIy ducks! My ducks!" and
bolted for the kitchen.
1.-THE pie !" cried Lizzie, painting
after her.
Don't tell me they're spoiled!'
groaned Amos, as with John and
the baby, he followed into the
kitchen.
"Safel' shouted Lydia, on her
knees before the oven. "Just the
pope's nose is scorched! The pie
is perfect"
'Iet's eat before anything else
happens.' said Amos nervously.
Lord p said John Levine, who'd
miss spending Christmas where
there are children? I'd gotten out
here today if I'd had to come bare
footed
The dinner was eaten and pro
nounced perfect. The gifts were
readmired. John Levine, with
lydia and Florence Dombey on his
Ian. Amos with the drowsy little
Patience in his arms, and Lizzie,
her tired hands folded across her
comfortable stomach. sat round the
base burner while the wind rose
outside and the boom of the ice
locked lake filed the room from
time to time.
Fearful cold when the ice cracks
that. way" said Amos.
1.-THE owl, for all his feathers,
was a-cOld,' murmured Lydia.
"Where'd you get that and what's
the rest of it?" asked Levine.
Selected Gems" replied Lydia.
TITS a girls poem. Gosh, I've been.
happy today! Daddy, you thought
we'd have an awful poor Christmas,
didn't you? Poor old daddy Why.
rye lust felt all day as if my heart
was on tip-toes."
1t had indeed been a high day for
the child. Perhaps she remem
bered it for years after as one OF
her perfect days, because of the
heartbreaking days that followed.
For little Patience for the first
time in her tiny life was taken Ill.
For three or four days after Christ
mas she was feverish and cross
a hoarse cold. When Amos
came home the fourth night, he
thought she had the Group and sent
pelting through the darkness
for the dairy farmers wife. Mrs.
Norton. the mother of Billy, was
not long In coming TO a decision.
"'Tain't regular Group. You go
after the doctor. Mr.. Dudley"
Patience, frightened by her diff
cult breathing, would let no one
but Lydia touch her. Under Mrs.
Norton's supervision, she packed
the baby in hot water bottles while
heated water and stocked the
fires till the stove doors glowed red.
Amos came back with the doctor
about nine O'Clock. Patience was