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The Signal, 1911-12-14, Page 6,ka T Cawust', Dar aaBER It, lull THE SIGNAL 4A IDERICH ONTARIO A BOB'S PRESENT By ETHEL ~1al off cow!" cried ILA. Wentworth, joyously But- tering into the room. "Good - by, dear! Of course you'll hare a perfectly scrumptious Christmas with Bob and his folks." She vanished in response to her husband's call, t art thrust het bead is at the last moment. '9 bate to leave you alone. When do you expect Bob?" "He was to come at 12." Sally's voice liras muffled perhaps by the cushions Among which she was curled. "Twelve—two hours! Scarcely time for primping," And with a acing laugh her sister dad from the [bon. Bally sprang from the lounge and for want of some better outlet for her feel- ings began viciously to toss the cush- ions on to the tour, stamping on their harmless satin caters as If they were vipers. She stopped, a little ashamed, when she found the maid staring at her curiously from between the portieres. Beady to go, Ann" "Yes, mise, but ' I'll wait so as to open the door." "I'm not go- ing," said Sally', calmly—"at least net till 12. It's le,....... — a pity to spoil your day just to "EXADY To 00, Ass?" open a door, which really I'm quite able lo do for myself. Put on your things and go." The girl gra.tefully withdrew. In a few moments she reappeared. "I'm going now, miss, and I hope you'll have a merry Christmas."' Sally, left alone, drummed forlornly on the frosted window. There' told been a heavy snow, which the sunshine turned into myriads of crystals, a per- fect day for sleighing, while the jingle of distant bells made most tantalizing music. "Bally, you are a fool." She con- demned herself aloud. "May thinks you're going sleighing with Bob, then to dine and be made much of by his family. She innocently believes your solitaire Is at the jewelers to remedy a defective setting. She couldn't sus- pect that—that you're such a fool— such an 18 carat fooL" Baby collapsed once more among the cushions. She knew now that she would give the world to recall the episodes of the past week. Two short, delirious months she had been engaged tt Bob, and he so worshlpingty proud and happy that an untimely ending to their romance had seemed impossible. Bally had always been spoiled and her willfulness humored, so when Bob dic- tated to her she resented it very bit- terly. Among Sally's acquaintances was a man of rather sporting proclivities, whose chief attraction was his entree to preml re at the theaters. Satiy'si knowledge that Bob disapproved of the man had not prevented her attend- ing a particularly interesting opening tinder his escort without informing Bob, who chanced to be passing the theater as she entered. He ar- rived next even- ing to protest, hot headed and a little dicta- torial, whereat Sally defiantly broke the en- gaBement. But. though it was four days ago, she had not tak- en her sister into her confi- dence. Now be- fore her stretch- ed a long, dreary, lonely holiday. S h e half wished she ■ a a coefeased It e r situation and goes with TO son. May and her busbetsd. Rut bare GM was, stranded. Not only would she be dbsolele, but starved, for, the maid making holiday, too, the icebox would be empty. Rally gained la self comatseetitloa. Perhaps starving was sot a bard death She bad heard it made people drew- sy, a point Is its favor, seetag she bad Sot slept fee four eights. A smear - satins wherein Bob bad teased bar about her pride—'false pride be termed it—haunted bee. "TWO die rather than own you were wvemge be had aerosed her. half asriewity. New the akernsdvs faced her, Oar. Menet she might not die ti. the hely. Mem seemed to b �•thty tote haw breast that bad sickened sad was, surely dylag'—wosid die areal/ Si j tall is retlra \ MIlf deepenbs, Whoa, repestaen, plaasd a note b Dela i tams' Sat I'm awry. Ira net OM* ,yesIia ablbee�nm Mil elst a mew Mlle r--- Il+t Iarsi s, � �' es•M I1.JI.. w War r s MS �y ilium Is sires the Mew Sem b► tum bed. 9ifee whoa to set a M!R r a�ttAteaat WWI D FRM THE TREE BARRINGTON Bob would not forgive her and did not come? Perhaps he was away and Would never get the letter. It might be mislaid. She could never be sure If he got it or not Suppose she bad to go on looking and hoping for him and he never camel SW had heard of such cases. where sow was her vaunted pride? Should he come she would prom- ise anything he asked. Sloe was prepared to be es yielding as May. She could go no further. Somehow an hour dragged it- self away. A hundred times she bad gone to the window. drawn by tin- kling bells. When at last the gong sounded there needed a t"`•. second summons exlxta oft OEs NOTE before she could cltors3xo. master herself sufficiently to open the door. She found only the house boy and at first could not follow what he said. "The gentleman sent this card. I'm to wait for an answer." Recognizing Bob's name, she drew back to read alone Lila penciled words; "It you care to drive, will you come down? The horse won't stand, so I cannot come up." "At once!" She cried. It was not three minutes before she reached the curb, and Bob handed her in. He was beside her, and the sielghbells were ringing a perfect Te Deum of thanks and triumph, so that at first she did not notice bow quiet he was. "Bob, aren't you glad it's Christmas and we're together again—aren't you, Bob?" There were tears in her voice. The letter had cost her much, and she hungered for his acknowledgment Skimming dowa a aide road in the park, they were alone and unobserved. Bob drew the horse down to a walk, turning a little sternly on her. "I'm glad to bare you with me, Sal- ly. God knows. But if the last week's a sample of our getting along together I doubt if we are wise. Certain things a man can't stand for. But we won't talk about it now. Yon promised me this day—gave up other plans—and I could not bear to leave you alone'— "There are plenty of other places"— began Sally hotly. "But you wouldn't go and acknowl- edge our broken engagement" "How do you know"— "Because of myself," admitted Bob ruefully. "None of my people know. You come today just as it nothing had happened." "And afterward"— Sally could hard- ly articulate the word. She felt .tided and threw the robe off, as though It. hinder- ed her breath- ing. Replacing It. Bob's band Load• vertentl touched berg and tighten- ed over It as though he would never let her go. Sally sat very still. She under- stood. Bob had come back of his own free will, not because she had sent for him. He loved het despite her faults. Could she get her letter back unopened she might save her pride. By gentle- ness she would win him wholly to herself, yet be spared the humlllattaR of having sent for him. They strove pretty much in silence, each preoeen. pled. Leaving her at his borne, he drove on to the Stable. When the servant admitted her Sally's eager aye seised on her note Unopened. It was deftly bidden in her muff before Bob's sister rushed 1n in a whirlwind et welcome and gossip. "The tree's just loaded. Ton didn't send your gift for Bob. so I suppesy you brought It with you? Claire eds. rd on Sally's fur, and the esveispe foil front its ooacealtmett. "Por Doer she exclaimed. 'Tear present! Whet coin It be, so small sad tat?' Sally snatched at the mote, sad as We grasp elated .s it the recelisetias et all she bad mewed swept over hat afresh. She bad admitted the wad& give the world he tawtl leh. "Pet this est the tree ter Deb. It's feet the gift I had wased, bas bell seasonal' a asee, best. the benne. hen gathered ahsst a MOMMatty Nett, M tees Seem Moped tate berbbesgd � SaU i..hld. thistles each awe leas cher made watt Met Mho bwott bet mets` belt .ash Mae be evettae.ed iL At Myth the tees sawed jemmied eat the lest we. helm beetle IN hese herded le he retteel swage -7'um % jest me Seer• -fisc-.* ) ahbR" erhigesed Selly aSRfy, tem to steer Mete set to the Ismer PIM It slaened hoaro before lbeh ds hw and gsuabs Mr tie btu heart. e we bravo, ergo swesti�ies sot "ei . ed rr'a Chrtumr est egret el !mum Val►- t ane Ptlebrtn A WO?, "rltKRL,9 JCaT 055 MOR[." WHEN THE MAIL MAN IS S CLAIit t 4 SOMETIM$s the mall man acts as Santa Claus, or, maybe, be jest MI stitutes for the dear old saiLt. Anyhow, he comes around to the berm loaded down with packages, acid sometimes those packages esmatia things even more warmly appreciated by the children thaw lbs Olio Santa puts to the stocking. They coma as Christmas presents frees the mail and the cousins and the aunts or from the friend yon met at the smabeee es in the mountains last summer or from the kind old lady who patted yen is the back when you went to the county fair, asked your name, said you weft a "nice child" and she would always remember you. At any rate, when the mall man takes the piece of Santa Claes be IN is great many families to look out for, and you should be kind to him and Soak him for delivering the packages to you, for he is very bard worked at tire, mas time. 1f he looks weary and worn wish Mm "Merry Christmas."' Psis haps he has children at borne who are not so well remembered at Chrisrmea as you are. Maybe you'll think of them and hand the mall man a little pack. age, telling him to take It borne to his owncbildrea, CHRISTMAS AND PAGANISM.' Many Customs and Emblems of Yule- tide Antedate Christ. Most of our festival days are of pa- gan origin, and so It is with our Chrst- tnas holly and mistletoe. But shall we think any the less of them because in ancient days they were associated with the I:oman saturnalia and with the Druid ceremonies at which some- times human belrgs were sacrificed? now many remember that the custom of decorating homes with evergreens is mentioned In the Bible, where Nehe- miah wrote: "And they found written in the law, • • • Go forth into the mount and fetch olive branch's and pine branches and myrtle brancbse and palm branch- es and branches of thick trees to make booths." This was for the feast of tabernacles. So we see that the custom was early practiced by the Jews. Holly Is the emblem of peace and good will, and the ancient poets tell us that it was also significant of the resurrection. How fitting its use to- day and how Interesting to know its history! Who knows but that the Romans may have derived their idea from the Persians, who have a saying to the effect that the sun nerer Abed - owe the holly tree and who used to make a concoction from the bark which they threw in the face of a new- born child as an omen of good luck? Closely associated with the holly Is the pearly mistletoe with its romance. The Druids held a solemn procession' each year on the Sixth day of the moon nearest the new year, going forth wth t golden sickle to cut the mistletoe from the sacred oak. The oak to the Druids was a symbol of etreagth. It was also the tree sacred to Jupiter, and oily the mistletoe that grew on an oak bad holy virtue. Each year when the yokel of the cuckoo was beard in the laud the priests sent en- voys to spy out the finest mistletoe growing on an oak, and when taken from the trees It was placed in white linen cloth. From time immemortaf the mistier, toe has Seen considered an omen of good, and it was said that fairies took refuge in its thick foliage: so any one who hung a spray in the borne would have the protection and gratitude of the good fairy folk. Today. with its enchantment, we beguile sweet human fairies under its white berries, and all who are kissed may be sure that the hiddes elves will sanction and not con- demn oo-demn the practice. la Sweden amulets were made of mistletoe, and In Weise a necklace made from the waxen bee ries was supposed to protect from snake bites. Sir Welter Scott west, this beaetnfel poem describing the social dentist he the Cfriutmas celebratie, of medieval Maas: And well our Cbrietrsn .tree et els Less when the year its corse bad rod AM eruoght anti Chrbemes bast arab wkb as his kaaplesbti bad Demestie and rslrsee riM O~C1hristtm to honor r tbee bbets ells were smgg I Oa tlr stmas eve the mass was sunt r That Seib cwt a an the year Sow the Misled what the change renal 1 The dames donned bee kerne abeam The hall was dressed with belly per 'Perth to the wood .N marry saes Of ft/atter Is the mletieten. Tia C iah.t .a Pinus f Mme meet be Sad ea ewes Cerblmaa amus ssrwree Sae esrvrw se waif ao eaaset "seers taelaammt" >w ,11 Show abort Sem amt sew then AUNT SANTA CLAUS. tWhlle Banta tate. orders for each gilt and toy And jingles about in his sleigh His wife is preparing her part of the Loy, Son she stays at home, stitching all day. So I'll tell you about her, for no one, I end, Has heard of ,Aunt Santa Claus, patient and kind. She sits every hour at her needle and thread. With dolls all around her in rows. Now she's fitting a bonnet on this little head. Now slippers on those tittle toes. 11 BEAUTIFUL FOR CHRISTMAS The Christmas spirit finds expression in beautiful thoughts and beautiful deeds, and the Christmas gifts should (harmonize with the spirit of the season. Many beautiful things are here to help you in your choice of gifts. Never before have we had so large and select a stock of articles suitable for young and old, and at prices to suit all purses. Pictures in oils and water colors, sepia and carbon photos. Hand -colored photos of Goderich views. Picture Framing Over two hundred varieties of pict ire moulding to chco.. from. Statuary A number of handsome ornamental pieces. Hammered Brass, Pierced Brass China Wedgewood, Royal Doulton, and Japanese, very select and at reas..rt able prices. Leather Goods handbags, purses, cardcases, etc. Opera Flasses leather cases. Christmas Stationery Papetries in pretty' designs. Christmas present.. - tion cards and booklets. Postals in iaunen., variety. 11A Ana to scant C1! the dresses would puzzle you quite, anal Nape upon heaps, red and blue, pink and whits And she make, for the dollies a little bed, WO, With ptnowe and sheets soft as snow. And there's something she's stitching for each oars of yen But that Is a secret. Tea know. When Christmas has Dome you shall know then at last Why the dear, good old lady ales .ewtag so Cast —Youth's Companion An Ancient Christmas Game. The knight of the whistle is an as - lent Christmas game which modern young folks ought met to be allowed to overlook. It Is a venfon of blind man's buff and therefore particularly adapted to the season of romps ted runabout games. To play It some one of the per'tj be blindfolded and baa a whistle hung on a cord pet round hie Seek. The whistle should rest oa thea back of the bred maw The fee eeasMts In metes sm. ccs blow the WWI man's starts without hetes etogbt for his aerie. and M amuse e role et Wed nae. Tom th M no Het. Matt The tee can e.mbese nett! every Sae le IN mate% est et breath to se en Intl it or esti esti player has bees tune lOad nom Who Wald sae NT •'WIN are yes pees to eve mamma IN tassosser sailed papa. "weL' esti Me Duma. 1 ye CPONNW Era etre We h et w • EMBROIDERED CUSHIONS AND 'CENTREPIECES ORNAMENTAL BASKETS AND ART CRETONNE BOXES PLEASURE TO SHOW OUR GOODS II Smith's Art Store EAST STREET L r w IIGODERICH Prepare for Sleighing Before purchasing for the coming win- ter, call and inspect the carload of Port- Port- land and Piano Box Cutters which have just ar- rived and are now on view in my show- rooms. For Strength, Elegance and Comfort the cutters manu- factured by Mtessre. Wm. Gray. Sons Campbell. Ltd.. of Chatham. cannot be surpassed. HIGH IN QUALITY LOW iN PRiCE Come and select yours while you have the full range to chose from. Robert Wilson Hamilton Street LO!IOON..°I IT. Btl3INIESS and SHORTHAND SUBJECTS. Registered lest season upwards of the students and every graduate. Some specially goaRied ropier Madam One hundred and fifty Leede. fleas emtpto� oar trained help. jemion from Sept. 5 to Jape IS Saler say time. Ca.e tee. Forest Mgt J. N.WerrraMii.T. st . . wptgvsi.T, t►tm WE PAY CASH /OR Nilo CANADA .FIANI5 errte S NIP U sew lave canals ,a nosed ire* mg* ear unlit.-' • isMfes i Naaw anion IMM to eeaa�iti flan STAID MIAMI tole, P.Ct Sea M QUEBEC, anad,. 11 ll Christmas Greeting Cards at The Signal r tinierreiredeel ALL THE WORLD LOVES A There is the saying that "All the World Loves a Lover, but this is equally true about the KODAK. Wherever children are there is endless oppor- tunity for a Kodak Story ---a story full of human interest to every member of the family. And there is no better time than on the limiE DAY— CHRISTMAS There are Kodaks now to tit most pockets and all purses and practical little Brownies that work on the Kodak plan and with which even the children can make delightful pictures of each other. There are Brownies as cheap as one dollar and Kodaks from fire dollars up no excuse now for a Christmas without the home pictures. Make Somebody Happy With a Kodak R. R.SALL�WS