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Show . tag -- on more logs.; -- The Christmas Ishness," bristled Phil. - They'vellved spirit never tarries where " there 4a no their Uvea; Why ahouldnt yea hve " welcome! ; -; - "Stop thats drivel about Christmas r your "I chancer - returned know", cousin," she soft-I- t, Elsie an' g'anpa an' 8anta Claus. Daddy John said we would when. we got to heaven. Can we bang up our stock-log- s asked toe little girt. "Yob surely can, dears," said VesU, r i. took ihe precaution le tiptoe noiselessly, and a few seconds later the tree was set on Its pedestal lu the corner of the living room. ' Tsut it prettily ahapedV nd how delidously spicy It smells in this w arm room." Vesta bubbled as she sniffed t.p, wusta !" He duvso t about the tree yet Maybe he. too. cin be Induced to aiwftt your Christmas keeplug upeu hospitality, since you are " ' house, i Vesta smiled wanly, as she repleii-Ifhethe fire,'. tossing onto the cos la handful of , phosphorescent powder, the colors of which flashed np Instantly, Illuminating the tree with a wonderful Iridescent light A !ng silenre ,' 't followed. .; ' '. "H'gh priestess of the' sacred tire." began Phil gently, "fairy godimrther. v' whatever thou ftrt, 1 hear the crunching of heavy footsteps on your gravel Lpath. Shall I Intercept the gentleman, commanded the colonel, placing her fingers on his lips, "but sharply banging bis cane on the hearth, or please say bo more. I'm glad and proud heartily, An' will we have a Tlsmus treer I'll . . leave the house this and heppy," she smiled bravely. ; ' the pmgent air. V " ; "An a Santa ClauaT . . . Do you hear me InterHe Thump Thump I Thump I Gups Budge and Toddy will think ended with anr impotent thump of his rupted the knocker for the third time r Vesta glanced at her consln helplesssaid proudly aa ae unIn deep now waa She ly. floundering faithful stick. that evening, a most unusual thing at after wound yard of tinsel rope. yard , Vesta rose slowly, and bravely toss-- the Chestnuts. Even Phil was startled, waters., the menagerie?". where's "Now, bass In hla he "Sure!" deep pledged back ft her bead, crossed the room -- mold you sol" he nodded with Ing Phil asked ".We, Oldnt dubiously. and now bed to get and flung open the door. grimace as he strode toward the door, Tolce, Tf you'll go we?" "Glad to, nee you, Miss Teste, and a flinging it open be beheld J;jEOweo to sleep. You can listen for the rein- think of that, did "gh-r-- r exclaimed Vesta, a little will fill merry Christmas," greeted old Joe tots, a boy and a girl, standing on the deers, and perhaps Santa Claua up your stocking and bring yon a red flag flying Into either cheek. "Waft Bean cheerily. Told your father to- front porch, clinging to each other tima minute they're la my room." she ; Christ maa tree." . day Td bring you over a turkey for idly. explained, slipping off her shoes and and spare thy father's wrath?" "It isn't "Phil!" Veata, ejaculated the great feast Knew yours had all "We'a losted!" piped the little girl, "Oh. do," begged she. ThU Christfelt slippers. In convenient Into the died oil this year, and thought It before Phil had time to voice his ex- right to disappoint them.". mas of our a Is getting rather Interestroom she paused Just long enough He waved her aMde. "That'a all her would help to tell you U'a Christinas." clamations of surprise. "Ia this the Isn't JUT fhe added w ith a forced before candle one her ing, to light hajberry right, fairy godmother!" he chuckled with smiling Hps that his new heaven : " done bad laugh. ;.) t,"And will he bring our Daddy JohnT" John's picture, Just as aha enormous beard could not conceal. "Guess It la!" greeted Phil cheerily. ! : ao can "Told One anyexpect to make and you Chrls'maa ten for eves, asked the little girl anxiously. "Merry Christmas to you, Joe!" re- "Come right In and well talk It over; w.lsh. - Five minutes later she thing sow,", he prophesied as he tipseme cauthe Phil "Who ventured knowsr turned Vesta. "Come right In," she Ve il ask the. Christmas spirit, he'll . .. reappeared la the living room with a toed to the door and awung It open. tiously. , added with a covert tlance in the di know." "I owe you an apology, for coming at much But bewildering waa too thla for airay of rahblta, camels,: request "Come right In. dears," echoed Ves rection of her father, who was sitting ' this bears. hour, but you can understand my and teddy who had already hurried away elephants "very erect tn his Sleepy Hollow chair. ta, taking them by their hands,lJn jresta, !" began her cousin. anxiety. I am sure," began the caller, a word Ton my copper-boun- d toward a and the certain attic Mrs. Drake rose and came forward, another instant she was down on her At the aound of the deep manly staring at the apparition, ."are you a trunk, full of small garments. knees removing their little caps and hands outstretched nervously. voice Vesta swayed like Illy on a tall, facalled "Is Vesta her that you. t". "It was very kind of you to rememslender stalk. There was a blur before ther's querulous voice. ber us, Joe," she began, taking the her eyes, and the sound of distant mu. "Yea. dad." turkey. "Why. what a nice fat fellow GREEN Christmas, In her ears. It was the carolers, sic mut"Aren't, you In bed yet?" he he Is !" she added appreciatively. a fat graveyard!' of for she bad always prided course, tered. "Corn-fed!- " the old man. herself that she was hot one of the algbd Mrs. Drake "Fattened him chuckled lied she soon, 'Tm dear," going on purpose for you," ' ; . gazing wistfully. fainting BlndVT hlUHhlngly, knowing full well that the he answered Ingratiatingly. sertiBs 'the shrivVesta a r far Sweetheart came, P twtv hours ahead would be busy 'ones. The colonel nodded Indifferently. eled fields to the lit1 "Beloved .voice, away your Phil Open to Assisted she by managed get "Oh. don't say thank you. It's nothtle cemetery on the Look at me," he added, compel!-- , eyes. of heads two and two wobbly pair ' hillside, where two ing at all." deprecated Joe. , ingly. ;;iUV mall limp arms and legs Into the :i "1 wasn't going to. Bean, so save goes and a daugh !", "John she, unbelieving whispered sandman the for garments, steeping ter were resting your breath. I'm not keen about either ly, "JohnT a world of longing Jnjhe had already claimed them. . under the brooding giving or taking. Every man for him name. Suddenly she remembered, and a fire In the spare room. Phil; "f tit self, you know. That's my motto. It' pines.; "I .never drawing herself up proudly she led the well Just carry them In there. Do be did like a green way to the spare room. T forgot . , . mornfor until mustn't dad know quiet, But the Insistent sound of the she Christmas,' came to get your, babies. They you she tag," whispered. knocking again drowned the colonel's added, puckering are In there." she commenced dully. !" "The old said reprobate words. ber forehead. Not anticipating' your arrival, we Phil under his breath. Testa was poking the fire to hide "Pshaw I Christ trimmed a Chrtstmaa tree for them." Vesta him at glanced reproach mas Is no better her embarrassment Her mother went "That was Just like you. Sweetheart fully as he lifted the chubby figure of the door. he said tenderly. Unking her than any other- to "Howdy, Vesta," In his arms, while she little the girl Aunt Lucy !" greeted a reday. Lucy." arm in his, "but It happens they are little carried the after boy. Shortly voice. fresh, boyish td the colonel testily, watching not my babies. They belong to my ward Budge and Toddy were tucked "Well, of all things. If It Isn't Phil 'effect of his words through the ; who died In - France. brother In the big Luke, warm between blankets away In Drake!" cried she a muffled voice of his bushy eye- Their mother died I when they were four poster in the spare room. Ringing curtain between the bear hug he proffered born. I was on my way with them to Back before the fireplace Vesta and Is a surprise, "This We my boy. W It doesn't seem at all like Phil other. spend the holidays with their grandfa at each gazed blankly .thought you were still In France." ther and my slater Elsie In New I tell you so?" volunteered ttmas, Henry, If you dont umke Didn't "Just got back, and no place ever tats." faltered his wife. " I can't Haven" the tell I latter "Didn't cheerfully. looked quite so good to me. My train It seem right that Nora and the "Oh . . . J. !" TesU'ft laugh rip that the goddess of the you you're wns delayed down the line, owing to Vea are not to be with us. Don't out like a Christmas chime. "Oh the hearth? That pled Christmas spirit a" wreck no, no one hurt, but think we should let bygones be . They said their names were come would That Tucked and way Were your Away. tonight? Budge Toddy everybody's held up for Christmas. 1 'Sorry I Didn't Have a Boy Myself." lies and telephone them to come were born to be the mother of and Budge you Toddy, that they were on Just thought I'd spend mine with my P she added timidly, their to heaven to Bee grandpa he Interrogated In vestal virgin, druld, or fairy godmothchildren?" little way which to flakes of coats, clung great Cranford relation, so I took Shank's er?" Aunt her and thundered Elsie in "new heaven. and ataccato husband, tonea. jence!" mare over here. Howdy, uncle, and a snow. 'Just a friend of Santa C" '." she they talked about Daddy John." But how are we to live np to our ce as white as his hair from the "But be must it after "Why. snowing, Christmas! Vesta, you're rheiu her voice was muffled on the shoulder "I his laughed triumphantly. ip wrath of his feelings. "Nora merry brick to keep the home fires burning all," she cried napplily. -- Tm so glad promises?" she laughed. Ignoring flan some from dud all J of myself now nearest her. Phil had discreetly within let her lie bed. it for a fellow," he addded, giving her a for, as mumsey says, I never did like comments. "The House of Drake Is nel shirts lded and abetted Sher - -! by ':' paper drawn. 1: embarrassed its bless of shower daughter of mine to marry kiss on either cheek. by a green Christmas." shoebutton thee patterns. eye.i no doubt that we are i have names are Helen scamp of an artist 'Their and ings, John," sure is announced ii snowing. "I see you got some decorations. did so dad I that scrumptious? hope Dt a penny to his name. As to now but be to ft unawares, managed say betimes, ."and said Vesta proudly, eyeing his croIx de Phil, opening the door and gazing Into entertaining angels llldren, they're as dead to me as the night. Vesta peered over his that you have succeeded In Inducing would relent and thiit Nora and the funny little pair tney are. They Jiave d a "and lieutenant guerre, kiddles would be here," she added Jnslsted on op on the hillside yonder!" shoulder to the bank of clouds rolling the Christinas spirit to tarry, why not calling themselves Budge at that." her corner by the fireplace ' snd Toddy, your magic on Santa Claua and bid wistfully. In from the east with little spits and It la a childish fancy try "Oh. that'a nothing" It waa nearly twelve o'clock when from. which we have been unable htm bring us a treer to flurries ,tyed her faitier nervously, as snow. of then door Just the "Most of us are back for the holi they finished their decorations. To be shake them.";In accepting the com iroked the fur of Nebuchadnez- lose no "I time shut smiled the young lieutenant banged In the morning when the colonel and ora'i pet cat How changed he days," mission. Behold In me an Impromptu sure, the tree was not the mugntflcunt "What's thatT' demanded the col Tm disappointed, of course, onel happily. Santa Claua, ready to do the bidding cataract or skates, aieds, and guns. Va. Drake came downstairs, thev were ind: what had brought it all from head of the the stairs. that I couldn't get home for the great .such as had tumbled before their vl met with a vociferous, "Merty Tie-There was no real reason that ' "Just the wind, daddy. It blew the or the vestal virgin. Now for some slon In day, for my last one was spent in the years gone , by, but tn Phil's mus, g'anpa. Merry TIsraua, g'aniua !? to ould see, except her father's druld the lead forest to of a way Ve3ta door said shut," soothingly, plac and mother was banking on trenches, own words, Jt waa "meet creditable." balsams." jroness. Don was not a bad sort, "What's thstl ; What's ., that!" this one; but I wired her Td be there ing her lips on her fingers with an young When 1t had receiver' Jie lust pat of !" "At the colonel aa they hugged hla service Vesta stormed jl had made Nora a good bus-. . your to !" "laughed between now and tomorrow night If 1 admonishing w-to the kitch Is but eight o'clock." she Vesta's hand. Phil "It and providing well for her and the had to hike all Phil. lega gaily. begged him to play "Ride a the way. Hope you've en with her and helped make fuJge Cock in. Then there was John Den- Horse." That I wilt, you young "Guess It's the Christmas spirit try said, glancing at the old banjo clock a all the and in the .form of chocolate rabbits, Ap fixings!" turkey was just such a night as this got over the mantel. "I have an Insplra rascals," he began, "but It seems to "We surely have!" smiled Vesta. Ing to get In. Uncle Henry." said the ple bons, prepared for Nora's 'chil me It'a time for ray had driven him from the !" Come tlon. she snatch with commanded, a wicked lieutenant little young daugnter to make shall have "and you the lion's share, dren, already hung on the her coat from Lad'es and But ing the hold explanations. don't, generally laugh. pajamaed figure You've Joe Bean to thank for that, ' n the ha tree, at the same time banding branches ef the tree. Joe Bean'a tur acquire a brass candlestick aloft had van over young man had made some Ing Come, shake hands with my cousin ' family Phil his own coat and hat. Five mln key offering lay on the cold marble ta night t" he bantered, g remark about their differ-I- n ished. ble In the pantry, the hne fowl stuffed Phil, Joe Bean." "Is that our g'anpar" chorused two utes later uiey were on their way With the exception of the moat Impolitics to which the colonel and trussed, ready for the fire. "Proud to meet an honest-to-gooiken voices. "An' Is dis heaven V they across lots to the balsam grove on the little Item Teata omitted no detail, exception. Hot of temper ness portant "Hark! Isn't that the1 carolers?" soldier," mumbled the old man, demanded. iter of tongue, he had disposed hillside, armed with the aharpest ax of the previous evening's experience. asked Phil as sleigh bells sounded In fumbling In the colonel's toolchest matter promptly. John had ambling forward, meantime Soon a "Guess you're on the right track, lit ?Be still, you young rascals T blus' v distance. the I didn't with hlswhlskers. "Sorry Vesta to decide whether she colonel. ,T can't even hear tie ones," cheered Phil. "Now tell us small but symmetrical tree was laid Jit surely Is!" returned Vesta hap tered thethink." be ruled by love or fear. She have a boy myself" he said, pretending to all about It" he encouraged as he and low. myself dad the colonel mind." "I "Zounds!" muttered won't hope t twenty, and to her filial duty "So far, so good!" breathed Phil pily. be led them Vesta toward and pounding on the hearth the very angry ! U will do him good. His "Pshaw wishing he had a boy to be killed off where fetish. There was no alternathey were soon nestling on the cheerfully, shouldering the embym soul has got Is a all bit that warped te told him. She had never pair of old rose cushions Vesta had Christmas tree. "I declare U'a worth that alls Uncle Henry. He needs to d one of hla letters, and In to a off with a the train France, out the for trip occasion. brought to-- ' have this experience. But have It Ironed out with a little music ley had ceased to come. He "Yes, tell us about It. dears," she track, Maybe a carol or two will help him." how about a Santa Claus rig?" Fgotten, of course, and It wns urged gently, "snd we'll see." "The Christ-chil- d walks the earth to for "One a PhlL" Udng at time, I both, as her duty lay to gurgled "We fordetted to say Merry tlsmus yon know, Phil, looking for night In so Vesta a ' that the voice rents, now entirely alone, girlish to God, an' Aunt Elsie and g'anpa man waa almost startled. T declare green wreathe in his memory, and .he rfingers trembled as she em-- d said the little girl. touches the lintel of every door that e the last dainty "We fordetted to Bay Merry Tlsmus this tarrying of the Chrtstmaa spirit has a sprig of green upon It,"- she end little pink flannel for No--f entertaining guests unawares, playing ed . . . . " echoed her brother. "Daddy reverently. est baby, the one they had vestal a and a all druld being virgin John said we'd soon be In heaven and "It came upon the mlr!nlght clear Tj fen. that we'd Bee God an' Aunt Elsie and In one night la rather exhilarating, caroled the stagers. softly re was getting low, and she we'll have real a Christmas Maybe yet g'anpa. Yon dont look a bit like your A window overhead opened noise- Poor dad and mumsey! I'm wonderjd poked the coals until they pictures," was the disappointed ' com was Vesta That alt lessiy. clasped with new life, then heaped the inc. ment "One thing at a time, Vesta," mocked her hands gently. The carolers drew p with hickory logs. In a few But a lot nicer, you mean, brother V the faint odor of pungent T prophesy other, but. ' ':- Ood test 'y corrected the little girl "Daddy John Phil gaily. I mrry to filter through the' room, has annuxer picture sat looks like yon. prise- When the Christmaa spirit Is nothing y dismay. It did so Vesta's couraaa rose. For onto as a King la bom, only rat lady has dimply smiles til the abroad In the land no telling what mir Thla glad, awMt Christmas day. . . hang np Our stockings time." she ended, scrutinizing Vesta acle may happen. Even Uncle Henry may ge a jolt into the Kingdom of she began softly. "Let's The jrolcea --trailed awayr-the- n the boldly. f e are little children again, Vesta laughed heartily and hugged Happiness.- -- IH sure do my part to window above closed very softly. I Santa Claus la coming this leaven ts "Maybe the Chrtstmaa the little girt to her breast The child bring thla to pass." us be Joyful together this Aa down to the hillside they working." passed suggested Phil grimly. snuggled contentedly. jet least, for life Is so uncertain, "Now for a look at the kiddles." "She's slightly mixed on her geog the quiet street now carpeted with Won't you play Tm your whispered Vesta, "to see if all Is welt." raphy." whispered Phil, "and thinks snow, tbey heard a sound of sleigh i this Christmas, Daddyr she "I want my Daddy John," whimwe are some persons else. We'll get bells. Soon happy voices were carol Ing. pemilngly. down to facta after a while." pered Budge. I- he a fool. Vesta " "Silent Night I Holy Night P they "I want my Daddy John," echoed But the only Information they could r sharply, sang. "if you're ever from children was Toddy, rolling over the other sleeping the that their glean be a woman The Christmas tree and holly man child., mother was (n heaven with the angels you should show or was still dispensing his wares when it at "Poor little kiddles!" murmured VesGod. All and on were this their way P thirty. They 1 l at Christians la at last reached the market snd ta, tucking them in. they John there with on Daddy the train, ' "Sllenca!" "I Owe Yev an Apology." h i tell you. I declare Tm when there was a big crash. When soon Vesta'a anna were laden with . "They'll forget all about It In the I leple spending their last Some patriot you they awoke Daddy John was gone. So shining holly wreaths In which many morning when they ae their tree. It's floor with his stick. Whereupon by the Germans. red berries gleamed, while PhlL with the other fellow, the fond dad, who Is clambered over him all the more, they this time of the are, Joe. Glad my two died before the they Just went to find him. . fI ke a show bes -making a bid for presents In .Huns got a whack at 'em." must nave.oeen on the same his balsam and other packages looked doing the worrying. Gee! In all our glng tributes for their wonderful tree. 1 'or their own." excitement. I forgot to call np the lost "Some Chrtstmaa tree! " Eh, uncle Tf "Henry!" pleaded hla wife, tears train," said Phil, "but how those little nke an animated Christmas tree. V Joy of gtvlnt" "Here's a sprig of mistletoe for yon. and found department at police head said PhU duffers ever managed to get hero la r . ; welling to her grT yes. merrily. M Joe Bean more than I know. It was some hike, Miss Vesta, and Merry Christmas to quarters. Believe I ought to do It today." he went not bad," admitted the color.' "Daddy t" began Vesta sharply. "It's ft her remarks aside. "And even for my long legs." yon," said old Sam, with a sly fiance Phil and old Joe Bean stare casually, "and by the way.'Yesta, you -"Do be careful tbat you fcn't waken might telephone over to Nora that ' suppose he had the nerve The colonel had never been Oh, we flldnt walk all the way. A at Phil. .Jnst this, Tm brlnelni ton a like "Why, I begin to feel like a little dad and mumsey," warned Vesta, but we're expecting her and Don and trie1 this tn the old days. He now rose. kind man let os ride. When we saw I turkey tonight, colonel, as flung himself out of his chair, and the llpht In the window here, I knew girl again." cried Vesta happily, as Phil waa already on the wire. children early today. ' Then, when ' i'o J"y. 'Won't you have my stalked out of the room. An Instant we had come to heaven, so I Just told they trudged along through the snow "Why, yea, Jhey're here now at you're through with that I'd be'obllgei) feafly for me to take back later they heard him thumping his way the man to stop. And be did, 'So toward home. "I never knew before Colonel Drake's, ft boy and a gtrl. to you If you would telephone Jobs r The smart old codger I 'upstairs. Mrs. Drake soon followed you're, going to see g'anpa.' he said. that the Chrtstmaa spirit could be so sound asleep. Tea, we're up yet, but Denton to come over to breakfast I'd yoa-ee- y. nice. I declare I have little creepy all right and brother and I Just Bald. Tea.' Oh. of have asked him myself, but fdldn" !"i I hope Joe Bean took his cue ami departed. f.thert they're t hurt his "So here we Is!" beamed the little feelings of Joy all up aqd down my course we have no ohjecflona If he can't want to disturb your little tetea-tet- e feelings. Joe I '. "Cousin Vesta," Phil began sternly. " he rang when I came down at mWatijht'ito see; , . wait. until morning. spine, thlp minute." f "ig. and loves to do for oth Tm very sorrf for rou, but at the boy. In childish enthusiasm. ; sed lira. Drake. "Same' beret" agreed, PhlL' ' "But off. "Now tell us what your names are." same time exceedingly angry." .m' what the fuss waa all about flow. the name of the nlac f daddy-'idear."Well.' the lost father la' found." he you'd better 'douse the glim,' Teata, I "Don't, Phil, please dontr she "Budge and Toddy!" they chorused Christmas, "Merry ved with good intentions of In the language of' the Immortal Tic-to- r shrugged ruefully. "You're- - destined cried Vesta gaily. Implanting a k's begged. "I know what you would say, gravely. or Its fllckertngs will tell to be "But your other name, your daddy'a g mother but for an hour. Ha squarely on hla mouth, which he Hugo, M hearts are happiest But eolonef, ra'P5d ,'ne ashes from hit nine end TU never be sorry that I stayed with naniei" tales to your august parents. Some f la on the way here now-"- straightway pretended to wipe Off. lth fresh tobacco, "Zounds I "dad "Oh. the bruter cried Vesta. "D and, munisey. for what would tbej "Daddy John !" they repeated flrra .Chrtstmaa after all. eh?" ha added as! "Many happy returns, little girl, te e the aM rt, ' . do without me?" ly, nor could they bo shaken In their he turged the tree up the stepa of the ! wouldn't take thenf away from us to- you and John, ah,. mother?" he said "; rtt Child's birthday, front porch while Testa held the door night after all our work to make them with a 'resounding tiuims of his stick Tt Isn't right for yonng folks "to be assert Ions. Teat boldly, heap- - sacrificed on the altar of old folks self "An wt want to tee, God an Aunt open. AH waa quiet within, but they happy. . . ." Her voice broke. ' on the hearth, " . , r ut ? 1 . d. - -- i'-t- r ' ,- -- - ; - , : " i mi Mm .... : r .... . V;: n't .- well-lade- n 1 full-grow- d forget-me-Uh- ..." tn W , lt to-ra- ," ' Bill j. wmi, ie ....... ' home-comin- -- dad-.rosth- ed 'mm wu :' |