New Britain herald., 1927-02-09

gan's voice calling to her to an swer it.
 It didn't ring.
 Monica did not call up either nor did she drop in in her hurried breathless way.
 For two pins, I'd go to see hel and find out how much she ~ees ol Gus" Robbie said to herself, or the afternoon of Christmas eve.
 She missed Monica, much as she disliked her. After all, Monica had been as good a friend as she had ever had. for a while.
 And it was very tiresome sitting here in Mrs. Mangan's quiet house hour after hour, with nothing to do. She had sewn every missing hutton on her clothes, manicured her nails until they were like pink pearls, washed her golden hair to marvellous fluffiness, polished all her slippers.
 Three times a day she went down to the kitchen and made cof-
  it, but she didn't seem to want food. Perhaps it was that she was fed up on peanut butter and bread, but she couldn't think of anything else that she wanted to eat. She just didn't have any appetite lately.
 All the color and the savor of life seemed to be gone, all at once.
 If I'd just get call from Mag nifica or any other studio, l bet I'd pep up again." she told herself on Christmas eve. when she went to bed early so that she could forget that it was Christmas eve and a time of merry-making for every body but herself. Tt seems so hopeless and deadly just waiting here, and nothing happening"
 At ten o'clock she heard Stella come in. Her steps were slow and dragging upon the steps. Well, 1t must be tiresome to sit at a little table all day long. clipping and trimming and polishing other wom- ems nails.
 NO Christmas eve for stellf' either" she thought. But the thought was not comforting. She was just as sorry for Stella as she would have been. if she had been having a good time, herself.
 Christmas morning was gray and cold and cloudy.
 Robbie lay in bed listening to the sound of Mrs. Mangan getting up a fine Christmas dinner for her self and Mrs. Mangan. Dishes clat- tered, kettle lids banged, and the house slowly filled with the rich fragrance of roasting turkey and baking Hubbard squash.
 Last Christmas-The tiny Christ mas tree that she and Aunt Ger trude had trimmed for the center of the dining room table. The presents they had stacked around Jerrold running in at ten o'clock with the biggest bouquet Of dewy violets that surely had ever been seen, with a five-pound box of candy from the Sugar Bowl, and a slave bracelet of green gold.
 It was still on Boobies slender wrist. She looked at 1t, and as she looked at it, it became just bright blur seen through her tears.
 Andy. Even Andy has forgot ten all about me- she thought in self-pity. She hadn't had so much as a Christmas card from him. Per haps he had all ready found the nice girl she had always urged him to find and marry. The thought stung and hurt a little.
 The front doorbell rang, and there came batter of light feet on the stairs.
 Monica burst open the door of the room and bounced in all white fox fur and grayish pink silk, with a huge pink felt hat. crammed down over her blue-black hair and blu ish grease smeared on her eyelids.
 She had a small white box, all tied up in red and gold ribbon in her hands and she flung it down on the covers of Boobies bed.
 "Merry Christmas, dearest old dear!" she trilled. T cant even sit down-I'm on my way up to Grssy's. He's having whole mob of us up for egg-nog and turkey. Goodby. lovey. Goodby! See you in churchv'
 When she was gone, Robbie opened the box.
 Folded within 1t was one white handkerchief, edged with rather coarse lace. In the corner was q large pink "B" done with machine 
 My one and only Christmas present." thought Robbie, looking at 1t.
 A soft knock came on the door, and Stella came in.
 What did the Queen of Sheba bring you?" she asked. and her lip curled a little as she looked at the coarse handkerchief.
 'Five-and- -tenzcent store, I'm afraid" she added, touching 1t. She just bought it to have an ex- cuse to come in here and let you know she'd been asked to Gus Mac Clouds dinner party. She never gave away Christmas present in her life, unless it was for some special reason of her own, the stingy cat!"
 Her green eyes lit up, and she shook her head angrily.
 Lets get dressed and go some where to eat, Bob," she said briskly. "If I stay here in this house and smell that turkey much longer. I'll go mad. I'm not hun grY butt smells lust like Christ