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Show A CHRISTMAS WEDDING By Alvah Jordan Garth ) O (. 1920. Weatern Newapaiwr Union.) m T WAS days before Christmas Christ-mas and Netta Doane had been left alone in the house, except for the servants. Usually Us-ually her favorite playmate, Cora Wallace, living near by, culled for her. and they took a stroll, or visited a neighbor fir tnsnppreH the shops on the next street. Cora bad not appeared, and taking her dolly Netta wandered about the upper portion por-tion of the bouse In a desultory way. It was in her sister Winifred's room that Netta received a suggestion that she proceeded to carry out. That young ludy in her haste to Join her mother in a shopping tour had left her jewel case open In full sight. "I'll fix you all up for a grand party. Doily," prattled Netta; and then and there In turn a sunburst, a necklace ' : Jj and a diamond pin were attached to the clothing of the doll. Innocent, artless art-less Netta never realizing that she was playing with a small fortune. "Now, we'll ride to the party In the . automobile." announced Netta further, and she put on Dolly's coat, covering up her opulent adornment. Just "then there was a call outside and Netta hastened downstairs to join Cora, waiting for her at the door. Passing her mother's room Netta noticed un open box; lying on the bed. It held a ; lovely new doll, and in an Instant she knew that It was to be her Christmas present, for a new one had been promised. prom-ised. Impetuously she snatched It up. "Oh, Cora !" exclaimed Netta. appearing ap-pearing before her friend, "look ! look! My new Christmas dolly. We'll go right over and show it to Alice Lisle. The old one is no good now," and she recklessly flung It Into the street, with no thought of the jewelry It wore. Five minutes later a ragged little urchin picked up the discarded doll. "That'll be a fine present for sister Lo;; he, declared, and made for the tene.nent six squares distant carrying carry-ing his find to a home possessing a marked contrast to the elegant man 6iou that had housed the discarded pet of capricious Netta Doane. There was a vast commotion at the Doane home that evening. Willis Frere, who was the accepted lover of pretty Winifred Doane, made his usual call to be met with tears by his fiancee. Some one had entered the house and hai' rifled her Jewel case! Father had reported re-ported It to the police, but the re covery of the gems seemed hopeless. Willis condoled with Winifred bu' had a professional call to make and left early. He was a young, rising physl clan, and arrived at Grey's tenements to receive good news as to a patient of long standing, Mrs. Mary Steadier He found her on the road to recovery, and told her so, and her daughter and the other children and Paul Martin a regular visitor at the house, wen made happy at the thought of th, convalescence of their loved one. "There Is the balance of your hill Dr. Frere." spoke Martin, taking him Into the next room. "The doctors who operated I have paid, too. and the hos- pital bill Is all settled. It's the onl;. Christmas present we shnll see aroun ! here this year, but Isn't It enough ti, make our hearts glad mother well once more! You know, 1 had saved up enough to marry Martha this Christ mas, but 1 have gladly stood the "N pense of her, mother's sickness, there will have to be a postponement.' "We will call the hill square on your former last payment." insisted Dr. Frere, touched by the faithfulness t of the young man. "What are these?' he added, as Martin lifted o box front a stand. u "It Is something I wanted to ask you about," replied Martin. "This morn Ing little Ned found a doll In the street and brought It home for Lou. who noticed all that Jewelry pinned t.; It. We are honest people and I want you to advise me how I shall go about finding the owner." Dr. Frere could scarcely believe his eyesight. In an Instant he recognized the Jewels belonging to his fiancee. Hj was too Intense a circumstance to analyze all at once; Its strangeness;! Its Importance. He hurried back to the Doane house, and told the story of Paul Martin. "A worthy, honest man," observed Winifred's father. "These poor people Interest mo. What do you say to this grand Martin man having his wedding lust as he expected this Christmas?" Then back to Martin went the doctor. doc-tor. The poor fellow's apprecla'ion of what the Doanes designed fairly overcame him. Next day Winifred and her mother spent decorating the humble hum-ble tenement rooms and arranging for the wedding. It was a royal gift to honest need, flndtho tnost contented hearfS In nil the great city that Christmas night were those that had bestowed such signal happiness opon worthy, jrate-ul jrate-ul family. . -. - |