The Durant news. (Durant, Miss.) 1882-1985, 1937-04-15
X-Continued
Copyright BY Mabel ossood Wright

As he lay in his feather nest,
perfectly comfortable but growing
more alert each moment, 1t grad
uaIly came to him that it must be
father that made the difference. II
father could only e a live Christ
baby might it not make him take
an interest in Christmas too. since,
as grandfather had said, the long
age Christ-child had made the
whole world so much happier.
So Tommy thought, guided by in
stinct and the faith that makes
childhood Q sensitive plate upon
which almost Invisible impressions
are photographed, and Tommy was
barely eight years old. "oon all
his other rambling ideas were
merged in one. to find the Star
and then the discovery Of the Christ
baby would surely follow. How sur
prised and pleased grandmother
and grandfather would be. for, Of
course, the matter must be kept q
secret from them until the right
time came. Secrets and surprises
being the two chief joys Of healthy
childhood.
Letting himself carefully down
from his feather bed. Tommy drew
The covers back in place to keep
Il warm until his return. Next he
put on his clothes very slowly and
with difficulty, not realizing until
he came to his shoes and stock
Mgs that their tightness arose from
the fact that his flannel pajamas
were underneath. A smothered, elf
ish laugh at the moment that he
was tying his shoes. announced that
Bess was also awake and watch
ing him. What could he do? To
take her with him would delay mat.
tiers. If he left her behind she would
cry, he would have to tell grand
mother why he was going out and
80 there would be no surprise.
Creeping over to Bess' cot. he
pulled the sheet over their heads
as he whispered his plan, in which
she Joined with giggling delight,
begging him to help her to dress,
which he did, making her stand
on the bed meanwhile so that the
door would not squeak.
Have you got the p~resents?"
asked Bess.
What presents? We've got to
wait for them until the tree is
lighted you know"
mot our things, don't you re-
member how those Wise Men that
came ever sc far on camels brought
gold and that stuff, I forget its
name, that smells good when 1t
burns?"
We'll, we haven't any camels,
we've got to walk, so I guess
that lets us out of the presents"
mo. it doesn't" insisted Bess
with feminine fnality. Its stingy
not to take presents. I've got my
beads for the gold present. any
way" and she put her hand to her
AlCSh III q tdLl SlAOIt W AScA uleIIl
under the wraps.
Gold beads aren't for boy ba-
bies."
We'll, then, you can take your
gold piece that Uncle Will gave
you, and I'll give the good SMELLS"
How al you? You haven't got
any Of the stuff nor any box to burn
it in and If we try to get the spice
box from the shelf, Hepsy'n know.
Eyes. I have something that
smells good. it's soap, a nice new
cake. Wood violet too, right there
in the dish and you don't have to
burn new soap. il you just lick it
ever such q little bit, it smells real
good"
As Tommy vas rendered speech
less by this idea, Bess continued,
'.And I'm going to take Him q
birthday cake, too, this little round
one that Hepsy put in paper for
me to eat tomorrow cause m full
up tonight"
At last everything was ready for
the start As q nnal precaution
Tommy had drawn an extra pair
of stockings over Besx' shoes as
well as his own. 50 that there should