Show A pilfer ohm by SOPHY F HE baa a frail looking girl who had been belt sup porting for over three years since her mother died and aas tired now as she walked through the street crowded ith shop girls like herself in order for a minute to avoid the onrush of hurrying hur humans she 1 paused before a shop T la dov where antiques of all kinds vere grouped attract there was little la the window to interest a mite of a girl earning a paltry 6 a eek yet of a sudden her eyes a moment before eo tired lighted excitedly and a casual ob erver might I 1 have noticed hos exquisite ly beautiful they ere the alres line of her mouth also relaxed and hopefully she stepped closer to the plate glass and peered for a long concentrated moment at a tea caddy of quaint design after a second s hesitation she opened the door and walked bravely into the little shop the tea caddy she asked of the oman who greeted her inquiringly how much Is it the little silver one the woman looked her surprise as ahe noted the shabby black coat and much worn ekert you wanted to buy it bho asked kindly for something in the girl a eyes made her know she wag in earnest it Is 23 twenty he dollars I 1 the girl gasped and as suddenly as it hail come the brightness left her eyer five ehe repeated in afraid I 1 could never afford that gripped her pay envelope firmly ani turning walked out of the shop in her tiny room as she cooked he meager dinner over the gas plate an I 1 later when bang wide awake in he narrow bed she thought of the bea tea caddy she thought until t became a cherished ideal vested wit 1 wonderful scenes among tho greib people of the world the following day she neglected ti lunch and hurried to tho shop to one more lev the wonderful cadd hen she entered tho woman gree ed her warmly for the expression 1 her eyes had proved haunting to tl woman all the past night did you really want to buy ati caddy she asked as she banded it to the girl tor it 1 ou do 1 I must buy it she interrupted in she took it reverently in her tv hands but I 1 cant pay the money aj at once she hesitated how much could ou pay tha woman suddenly understood the girl s need and great kindness came t her perhaps we could come to terms I 1 have 2 that I 1 have saved and I 1 think I 1 can spare 50 cents each wee I 1 only make 6 she added apology lacally six dollars 1 the woman caspel as the lt of the garla broje t came to her you anny baie it t our own terms cald impulsively oh for a moment the girl he 3 it to her breast then she handed ala money without regret to the womac in the days that followed became ery fond of the gill for sl 3 came often to gaze with awo upon the eaher caddy of quaint design and in the short the woman learned to know what a difference an ideel can make in a life in watching the girl s love for the thing that kept her poorer than eho need have been tho woman found her 09 n life broadening on christmas evo a young man persistently tried to bay tho caddy until the woman final told him the story of its sale lie listened in wonder and then asked for the name of the girl who seemed BO great a marvel tha he wanted bis mother to see and help her the same evening after the young man had left the girl made her final payment and with a wild joy throbbing in her heart carried the tea caddy home and with it a beautiful bunch of holly a festive touch from the woman she had pinched hard to save the 60 cents each week but her reward was great and worth the happiness the ideal had always given her it was again christmas eve and B dainty woman wrapped in a soft fur coat opened the door of the little chop and with extended hand came to the woman merry she exclaimed don t ion remember me in the deep winsome eyes there was something familiar and suddenly tho woman threw her arms about the girl and peering over her head espied the man we have just been married he ex my mother found her tor me and we wanted to come to thank you for what you have done I 1 have missed your example so the w oman held her very clow laughing through her tears for they were suddenly all 0 o bapp and it was christmas for faraway bells were |