Show big i christinas our local jewelry LAST store re added t two wa new departments delitto we never c c r had carried before one was a toy counter where when a selection lection of movie dolls doll was I 1 featured cat or the other sm an optical 1 de department catered to the trade who could not afford glasses unless they could arrange awan aran to pay for far the them an on credit via visiting tang the shop the night it before fare christas Chris christmas Nas I 1 watched a tiny little girl awl I 1 in sure she coulon couldn t hv have been more than an six lax at standing sm m before the already sadly depleted 1 doll counter her eyes were big as she he looked up at the one doll still unsold and there was a child a longing in thern them as she tugged at the tattered 0 overall crall jacket of her father busy talking to the opt optometrist daddy she called her vote voice shrill ill with excitement look ISO t it the darl ingest thing do you think sawa santa will w U bring it to me the man a tired face turned toward her and ad a hurt expression flushed across it settling hopelessly in the gray eyes fraid not mary he answered 1 I saw santa in a store down in the street a while ago and he said that that he d be about J she turned to make one me last appeal out of everything by the time he reached our house reckon he might have e some sweets or maybe rag g doll though bough and he s promised pa for sure to bring th those se glasses oh tears team we were re in her eye but she fought them back bravely and and her worn coat sleeve wiped the last as t trace I 1 race of them the way away 1 I did d so want one of them she a edo whispered but im fin glad sault santa ISO t going to bring it to me a it means that hes found someone else who wants it even than I 1 do don t it daddy come on mary the optometrist t called taking the little girl by the te h hand and santa told me to see what kind of glasses you should have in so a a to be sure he d get it r right lit now w just sit an this chair and d do as I 1 say the examination did t last long and I 1 was still there when it was completed the optometrist turned 1 to the father 1 I H make a special ecial effort to finish them tonight he h e said he was back bach soon sam a slip in his h a hand 1 I ve fixed it with the an management an A dollar now and a dollow dollar a month until the balance of five dollars dollar is paid ill mary ry had returned for a final look ok at the toy don t you think daddy that the glasses could come m as a birthday present and oh h I 1 did want a doll so but but I 1 wont cry her father heard he was busy feeling in his pockets tor for the dollar needed for the down payment he found a lean wallet and from it pulled poled a quarter and seven a dimes a he a counted them the no over twice bate a scared look on an his face then began a renewed search triumphantly re 11 finally dinall produced an 11 eudah eighth dinne dime and handed the silver to the op optometrist As the man in overalls and his elfin fin daughter started toward the me door r the girl behind the dou doll rau counter looked at the optometrist then at me a tear in an her eye then the she ran after the pair walt wait a mo ma mient mention menti um sn t your name mary she asked uh huh the little girl answered bewildered then th I 1 guess santa n ta m meant 2 gue aa you V 0 he be was h here just u t a few e w M minutes ago 0 and sold said he he had and a doll for far a little girl name named d mary but he was afraid tie he wouldn t have the time to delle deliver I 1 it then he remembered that the littlee attle girl irl a father said he was rima coming 1 here Q so 0 h he le bcd asked me it if 14 I 1 d keep the doll dol 1 an and t d give it to you that 5 it up on the counter ter t take it id and run mall away because bas I 1 f an so busy I 1 two time to I 1 talk alk shyly mary m reached chad up for the proffered treas treasure ure and hugged it close mary ma y was speechless while her benefactor a etor busied herself behind the counter suddenly the girl felt a it a tug at t h her or skirt rl and mary or was at her side de lo 10 looking tui u up at t her 1 I believe youre arg M santa claus the child awe we ui her voice acca As A a the door closed the behind the th pair t the e girl took her goic purse purs fr from tier v r bag b and ad looked inside ld M mis IS santa cl claus a us indeed I 1 heard her mutter mut er lucky for far me a t this ulan is pay d day sy or mrs drs santa wouldn t eat cat tomorrow t |