The Coolidge examiner., 1938-02-17
face and her eyes starry bright.

been so afraid he wouldn't.
Breathlessly as the days went by
they enjoyed every precious mo-
ment, meanwhile working along
with the old people to help get the
house ready for alternating, and to
help them get ready for the jour
ney.
But the morning of going finally
came. and the house was closed
and shuttered, the fire put out. the
oil taken out Of the lamps, every
thing safe for leaving and in kind
Of delicious trepidation the old peo-
pie went out, down the snowy path
to the car and climbed in.
Now" said Greg. you'd better
put on those coats before we get
going. tn be hard for you to get
them on comfortably when we get
started. and it's a right snappy
morning. OF course, we have a
heater in the car. but I'm sure you'll
need them"
"Coats?" said Margaret as she
tried the door for the last time and
flew over the path to see what was
going on. And then her face blazed
into brightness that Wed with the
CLINT of the rising sun from behind
the heavy snowy clouds in the east.
For Margaret suddenly under.
stood. and she paused to breathe:
"Oh, you precious!" as she
brushed past Greg.
The two old people enjoyed every
minute Of the way and did not seem
10 be in the least tired. Greg's
quiet joy in their pleasure finally
expressed itself vocally as he turned
around and grinned at them both.
"Oh, boy! I'm glad I've got
family!" he said joyously.
There was no snow on the ground
when they reached Greg's home city
but there were signs of its soon
coming in the lowering clouds as
Greg turned the car into the drive
way and swept up TO the house.
The night was coming down and
lights were twinkling from many
windows as Grandmother looked out
from the car.
rs this hotel?" she asked as the
car stopped under the portecochere.
mo. dearestl" said Margaret
happily. This is home. It's the
house that Greg has bought for us
all to live in"
But / don't understand" said
Grandmother in a small frightened
voice. This is like a palace. This
must be very expensive place. /
don't understand. Margaret"
You don't have to now, dearest"
said Margaret taking the hand that
Greg held out to help her and spring
ing lightly to the pavement. Wen
explain it all out to you afterward.
Come now into the house and see
how pretty it is. and how home
like"
The days preceding Christmas
week were filled with delightful bus
tie and excitement, into which, after
a days rest, the two old people en-
lered heartily. fully persuaded at
"a st that they were about to acquire
L finest grandson-in-law that lived
Oh earth.
There were still presents to be
tied up with tissue paper and rib
bon and cards. and Grandmother
just loved it all She got some pa
per and ribbon for her own little
gifts which she had selected so care
fully from her storehouSe of the
years.
Early in Christmas week Rhoder
ick Steele and his bride arrived and
became at once part of the har.
monious family. entering into all
the plans.
Mrs. Prentiss. the woman who did
the cleaning, was on hand with her
helpers as the festal day arrived
but Grandmother and Mrs. Harris
who came up with Jane part of ev-
cry day, were important factors in
making arrangements. Grandmoth-
er made the mince pies and the
stuffing for the turkey, and Mrs.
Harris did the plum pudding and
fruit cake. so there were plenty of
helpers.
Rhoderick Steele's bride. Mary,
and Margaret became instant
friends and went about together
with their shopping secrets.
Grandfather and Rhoderick Steele
found great interests in common and |
spent much time sitting about the
fire talking.
Packages arrived and were TN
wrapped and rewrapped and la
beled. One day grand piano came
and was set up in the great en-
trance hall in a niche that seemed |
built for it. and after that they sang |
in the evening.
The Christmas tree was set I'D |
and trimmed, all the family help |
ing. Nurse Gowen arrived and Mrs.
Harris and her niece came out from !
the city to stay till after Christ
mas.
The day before Christmas in the |
early afternoon the orphans came.
There were electric trains and a \
whole little village of toy houses
and delightful contrivances such as
children love.