Show V mm n 7 V A k A I 1 A 5 0 p 2 X 0 pal py I 1 A k AZ N 4 e P 4 A ff W ov A F mi N 0 wit 8 anta Comes hame I 1 I 1 BY EL 4 REAT preparations were in G GREAT progress for the annual christmas reunion at the thomas home in glendale lauris was decorating the living room with streamers of red and green and hanging bells and mistletoe above the doors the holly wreaths were already hung and father had arranged the colored lights on the evergreens ever greens in the front yard the night before will be home for christmas johnny mother had proudly read the telegram aloud to the family and all were simply bursting with holiday enthusiasm for johnny was really coming home all was hustle and bustle in the kitchen of fragrant odors mother was wholly surrounded by delicious sour cream cookies which she was busily tinting in the christmas colors of red and green the refreshing aroma of the traditional carda mom seed and of the spices was most pleasing even little tim was 6 V 1 41 johnny stood aghast tak taking ing in the whole situation privileged to aid in this glorious christmas preparation when things were well on their way toward completion mother sent the children into the living room 1 I want you ou to pack all thi the gifts in that large box the grocer brought said mother and wrap that holly paper around it so it will look more christmas like all right mother they shouted in a chorus of happy voices as they scampered in they had glorious rious fun amongst the gifts slyly peeping beneath the sides of the gaily colored wrappers and feeling to try and guess the contents mother chuckled within as she heard the merry peals of laughter and happy confusion soon now my children ifil said d father we shall hear the train t rain whistle which is to bring our johny home johnny had mentioned that he did not wish to be met at the station and his desires had been duly respected spec ted instead of a train whistle they heard the loud roaring and buzzing of an airplane oh I 1 bet johnny is coming by plane shouted lauris 1 I just bet he is too cried tim all excited 1 I be surprised grinned father knowingly there there was a rush to the frosted window to see if anything was in sight oh mother look at poor old mrs johnson sitting all alone over there in her window seat she look lonesome though said bonny jean lets invite her over for the evening suggested mother she was telling me the other day that her son joseph would not be home for christmas dat yes lets they all chimed in be beaming ming with the christmas spirit a very fine idea agreed father smiling kindly you run over tim my boy and ask her if she would care to join us oh boy tl shouted little tim C chuckling at the opportunity of getting out to throw a snowball some moments later the dear little lady was in their midst smiling her gratitude toward each one of them it was kind of you to offer to share your christmas with me she said it hasi been pretty lonely this year without my boy just then the door burst open and in stepped santa claus the child children tell almost wrecked him in in their excitement he dropped his heavy pack and shouted M merry erry chris christmas tm as with all the strength streng th and energy he possessed mother stand the suspense another moment she tore off his mask and hugged and kissed him hungrily johnny stood aghast taking in tho the whole moie beautiful beautia ful S sit the brilliantly lighted tree the star of bethlehem gleaming at its peak and little tim jingling a rope of sleigh bells all in his honor but the best was yet to co come me for he opened the door and in stepped a tall handsome soldier his face flushed with a happy holiday smile his garments covered with the christmas snow hello mother he said as he rushed into the outstretched out stretched arms of the smiling mrs johnson after all questions had been satisfactorily Is facto rily answered lauris began singing at the top et ci her voice when santa comes marching home the others sensing the grand idea joined in with a jolly good spirit of fun in the combined christmas reunion 0 western newspaper union |