Show the I 1 christmas present by helen Gais gaisford fora t jetle gay christmas Christu ins colors of the 0 packages in gloria parsons arms made a bright spot in the whirl ing snow on her collar was a spray of holly and a wreath hung over one arm she picked her way along the snow cohered coli ej ed path to the ens cottage old mrs stevens answered tier her knock why gloria she ind Tl inta right it Is christmas Christini is it yes 1 es indeed gloria replied refilled time to be merryl merry now this wreath goes on the window N andon In dON fco bo and landhere An dhere here Is a bit of fruit cake and some other goodies this Is your present and this Is mr stevens present and here Is some medicine for him bes besides sides how Is he be today bless your lind kind soul mrs stevens answered 1 I dont know how to thank you for all youve dons done tor for old folks lies hes just about the same thank I 1 you when one is old mid and apparently forgotten fo rotten one get well viell qu quickly I 1 c k I 1 y i 4 why you arent forgotten mrs stevens said gloria 1 I could never forget you no you youre le been a dear but sometimes I 1 I 1 she was interrupted by a knock at the door where inhere there stood a tall broad shouldered man whet mrs steens opened tile the door hu hia picked her up without a word and carried tier her into the room then as she gasped in ds astonishment he be put tier her down mother he asked dont you know your own son jim I 1 why it Is it is my boy she cis clasped sped him to her father she cried its our boy if jim m come home bagain again ill just say merry christmas and run along gloria began but mrs stevens would not hear of it when some time later gloria did leme leae jim accompanied tier her to tier her car 1 I just want to thank you for all youve done for them thein he told her you cant think muck much of me letting them down tills this way hut but I 1 guess lots of fellows when they get to roalin roaming forget to write home if id known dad was sick 1 I understand gloria answered h and im bure he will be much better vow you were the christmas pre pree e I 1 ent he really needed I 1 mother ther jim asked when alien he be got buck back to the leour dida didat t you say I 1 this girl had been ille st a daughter to you yes audet indeed d my son I 1 well I 1 think ellea great 1 ive e made my pile pike and im m going to stay home from now Dow on if things work out maybe she will he be n daughter to sou by next christmas |