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Show fllE softly falling snow held fot Marion Ainsworth no beauty as she waited shivering with the lY? cold for a bus which would tin doubtedly be lute. She sighed at thought of the ten-mile ride before her. Christmas was very near, but there was no Christinas spirit In Marions heart. With no member of her family nearer than an aunt, her father's sis ter-ln-law whom she had not heard of for over five years, the coming holidays holi-days held little prospect of Joj for her. The present days were bus ones with the usual mid year work of teaching school, with examinations and Christmas entertainments. Never did she long fur a real home and loved ones as at this season of the year Remembrances of Chrlstmases came to her and at the thought that this year would probably be spent alone in her room, her eyes filled with tears. ' So engrossed was she with these thoughts she failed to notice a small dog, travel stained, foot sore and weary, looking beseechingly at ber. Al first sight of him with an ex-clamatioD ex-clamatioD of pity she stooped and tenderly petted him. At this kindness the dog crept close to her and remained re-mained so until the bus came. As Marlon stepped on to the bus the dog followed, so she hastily gathered gath-ered him up in her arms. Assured that everything was all right, he settled set-tled down in her lap for a nap. This gave Marion a chance to study him. She decided be was a fox terrier, although al-though It was difficult to tell In his present unkempt condition. As he wore a collar and license tag it was evident he was a pet, especially as the name Secretly Hoping It Was No One to Claim the Oog. "Horatius" was on the collar. Such an imposing name for such a small dog brought a smile to Marion's lips Around his neck was a bit of frayed rope, so he probably had been stolen. So interested was she planning how she would care for him and what steps to take to restore him to his owners, that she had reached home before she realized it The affectionate little fellow soon won a place of welcome, both In Marion's and Mrs. Lane's (her landlady) land-lady) hearts, and soon proved lu watchful care and faithfulness that he had well earned the name he bore. Christmas eve Marion's heart was lighter than for years, as she thought with gratitude of the joy the little dog, now freshly bathed and with a new bow on his collar, lying asleep at her feet, had brought her. During the evening a caller was announced, and Marion went down the Mairs, secretly hoping it was no one to claim the dog. As she went forward to greet the caller, the lady came toward her with a smile and outstretched hand, and then stopped short. "Marion !" she ex claimed. "Aunt Ethel!" exclaimed Marion. Then followed the exchange of hap lenings of the last five years. In which Marion had lost her mother, and how the Information had not reached her aunt until her return from a long journey, many months afler. She had searched unavailingly for her niece and Marlon then explained that she had sought new scenes and faces hop Ing in that way to ease the loneliness Then followed the account of the find Ing of the dog. and her aunt's account ac-count ot the loss of her pet, which had been stolen from her home In a distant city She had heard some one al that address had found a dog and hoped It might be hers, and so ll proved to he. As both were alone In the world Marion's aunt persuaded her to make her home with her as n daughter and urged her to resign from her posi Hon as soon as possible. A few days later as Marlon sat In her new home. So comfortably and beautifully cared for. she held the lit tie dg close to her "Yon blessed triver ot good things.' she whispered "How nnyiliing so wee could bring s much happiness?" And hack came tin i: audible message "As ye have dune to rhe least ot these." t'? If'-jft w .-stem N'ew.ipapc-r Onion l |