Show A p re ft brawt u A sl Z e r 3 49 on I 1 OMNI L V Ns A W T T UP PU V M f gg na C I 1 I 1 ay 0 rc A m r R I 1 vp g V 19 so 44 0 7 M ganta Lomes home BY ALICZ 1 areat yR REAT EAT preparation were in I 1 T progress for the annual christmas reunion at the thomas home in glendale lauris was decorating the living room with streamers ot of red and green and hanging belu belli and mistletoe above the doors the holly wreaths were already nung arid and father had arranged the colored lights on the evergreens ever greens in the front aront yard the night before will be home tor for christmas johny mother had proudly read the telegram aloud to the family and all were simply bursting with holiday enthusiasm for johny was really coming home AU 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 rel refreshing resh aroma of the traditional cardamom seed and of the spices was most pleasing even little tim was V 11 T a ri 0 o N johny stood ag ast taking in the whole situation privileged to old aid in this glorious pl orious christmas christas preparation when things acie well on their way toward completion mother sent the children into the living room 1 I want you to pack all the gifts in that large boox joe 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 ot of happy voices as they scampered in they had glorious tun 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 0 laughter and happy contusion confusion soon now my children said father we shall hear the train whistle which is to bring our johny home johny had mentioned that he did not wish to be met at the station alle anc his desires demiri s had been duly respected spec pec ted instead ol of a train whistle they heard the loud roaring and buzzing OL oi an airplane oh I 1 bet johny Is coming by plane shouted lauris 1 I just bet he is too cried tim ah excited 1 I be surprised grinned father knowingly there was a rush to the frosted window to see if anything was in in sight oh mother look at poor old mrs johnson sitting all alone over there in her window seat doean doesn t she look lonesome though said bonny jean lets invite her over for the evening suggested mother she was telling me the other day t that at her son joseph would not be home toi foi christmas yes lets they all chimed in beaming 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 shouted little tim chuckling at the file 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 has been pretty lonely this year without my boy just then the door burst open and in stepped santa claus the children almost wrecked him in their excitement he dropped his heavy pack and shouted aberry merry christmas with all the strength and energy he possessed mother stand the suspense another moment she tore c off ff his mask and hugged and kissed him hl m hungrily johny stood aghast taking in the whole beautiful situation 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 come for he opened he 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 out outstretched arms of the ie smiling mrs johnson after all quest questions ious had been satisfactorily answered lauris launs began dingi singing n at the top of 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 s western IVes lern union fc |