1929-12-13 — Page 41

CHINA MAIL CHRISTMAS SUPPLEMENT, 1929.

CHRISSIE'S CHRISTMAS FAIRY

By M. C. RAMSAY

O

Rself as she packed her suitcase with all have a pound or two over after I pay my she watched Ruth unpack her finery and put

UTH Elson was humming softly to her-

the new pretties' which had meant much scraping during the past few months. She was going "home" for Christmas for the first time in five weary years. True, the old home was no longer there, but there were still many real, true friends in her native Scots town; and it was with one of these the holiday was to be spent. And there was just a chance that Ian Graham-ou leave from the Far East-would also be feeling the home pull, and her eyes grew softer surely the spirit of Christmas would make it possible for them to overlook all the bitter- ness of their last parting, when he had false- ly accused her of letting another man make love to her, and the Scots.pride of her would not let her deny the charge.

"We were both hot-headed young fools,” she told herself. "I have paid with those lonely years of struggle; but, of course, Ian may have been quite happy and contented. But even though he should only want to re- new the friendship, nothing more-

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now. "I-I haven't got it either. will only Thus Edith soothed her conscience as

her ordinary clothes in its place.

own fare home. I really should not be afford- ing the trip at all, but-

Ja

"Ian Graham is likely to be there. I had a letter from his cousin. Of course, I can't expect you to miss the chance of getting him back, especially now that he has inherited all that money. So don't upset yourself to help me," with a touch of bitterness. "I'll manage somehow, sell something before I stick."

But Ruth had forgotten Edith's trouble, anyhow for the moment. She was staring at her with wide, amazed eyes.

"Ian has inherited money. I never knew. And I suppose Fairhaven is saying I am going north in order to try to-to catch him again on account of that.”

Fierce Pride Not Dead

The fierce pride had not died after all. It had only been asleep, and not very sound- ly at that.

:

"Oh, my dear, no one who knew you- -" Edith began, but Ruth interrupted sharply.

But there she paused, even in her thoughts. It was not only friendship she "I know what Fairhaven tongues are! wanted. She longed, hungered, craved for I won't go a step now. So you can have the his love. Other men had wooed her, but she ruoney, Edith. Besides, I wouldn't have been had listened to none. Her girlhood's lover-happy spending it on myself," she added, in she owned it at last still held sole sway over kindlier tones, "when real friends like you and Jim were in need. I can have quite a good time in London, Edith. The Morleys lave asked me to stay with them. The new glad rags will all come in useful there."

her heart.

Ian's Critical Eyes

And that was really why she had spent more than she could afford in buying new clothes. She wanted to look her best, her fairest, in Jan's critical eyes.

She lifted a gown of the soft blue he had always liked, and laid it against her cheek. She went to her mirror. Had her beauty faded a little in those years of strain and stress-filled City life? Her smile was a little wistful as she put the question to her- self. She had not answered it when the door opened, after the slightest of taps.

She wheeled round. The smile faded. The woman who entered was plainly in dis-

tress.

She flung out both her hands in pathetic appeal.

“I hope you don't mind me coming right up, Ruth. Mrs. Williams said I might. She is busy with her Christmas cooking. It seems to be Christmas with everybody but | me."

"What is wrong now, Edith?" said Ruth, a trifle impatiently. Edith Kenyon was apt to wear out the patience of her friends. "Have Jim and you fallen out as to which family is to be honoured with your company this year?"

Lying Dangerously Ill

"Oh, Ruth how can you? But didn't you know? I telephoned to your office, but you were not back from lunch. They pro mised to give you the message. Jim is lying dangerously ill in Edinburgh. I have to go to him on the night train, and--and I haven't the money for the fare, and--and you are the only friend I could ask it from. You see, you are the only one who knows how I got into debt, and and the struggle it has been to get out."

"Edith-oh, my dear, I am so sorry!" Warm-hearted Ruth had both her hands

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"All your pretties will come in useful later on, dear. Unless-Oh, do put back You could use that white lace frock. it to dress up as a fairy on Christmas Eve. Chrissie has set her heart on Santa Claus ending the big Fairy Queen from the top of Jenning's big tree to fill their stockings this year. Of course, I told her it was quite im- possible, but if you only would!”

Ruth laughed outright. The demands of a child-enslaved mother were too amusing for words.

"Well, I'm not exactly of fairy-like pro- portions, dear," she said, "but I daresay I'll manage to please the kiddie.

Don't you worry, Edith, everything will go all right. You just think of Jim, and getting him made well again.'

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When they got to the Kenyon home the children shouted with glee. To have Auntie Ruth to stay-to have her all to themselves for three whole days-would go far to make up for daddy not coming home and mummie having to go away.

Ready To Promise Anything They both wept bitterly, however, when the actual time of parting came. And Edith in her distress was ready to promise any- thing.

"Darlings, you must let mummie go. And you will be good. And Auntie Ruth.... will write to Santa Claus not only to send a "Ruth, are you awfully keen on the fairy to fill your stockings, but one just a Morleys?" said Edith. "I-I know it is teeny one-perhaps, to Chrissie for keeps. awful cheek, but well, I was also counting And Jimmy will get his fairy cycle after all on you to stay in our house and look after-but only if you are good.” the children. You see, I had promised to And she gave never a thought as to let Mary home for Christmas. She is the where Ruth was to get the money to buy best maid we have ever had, and if I stopped them with or where a fairy was to be found her holiday she would give notice certain." at all.

A Big Order

"You're so clever, Ruth dear. You'll Ruth's smile was rather a crooked one.manage somehow. I know you will," she She was fond of children, but to have sole said, and Ruth, her heart full of sympathy charge of the Kenyon pair was rather a big now, answered cheerfully: order. Still, it was one of friendship's in- sistent calls. And again, pride had its say-it would be a very reasonable excuse to send for not going home.

"All right, dear," she said, “in for a penny, in for a pound! I suppose had better come back with you now, and see you safely off from King's Cross."

Edith began to pour out her thanks, but Ruth stopped her rather brusquely. It was no real spirit of self-sacrifice, she told herself. There had been no real need for sacri- fice, for Edith had much wealthier friends to whom she could, and should, have applied for the financial aid. But there was no one but Ruth, she knew right well, who would have cheerfully and successfully taken charge of the children. They had too great a reputa- tion as “a pair of pickles" for that.

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"Of course I'll manage. Don't worry!" And when she got back from the station wee Chrissie started up in her cot and called out;

"Auntie, dear, have you written to Santa

yet?"

"No, darling, but I will, and post it, be- fore I go to bed. But you know there isn't very much time now, so you will be quite pleased, won't you, if the fairy you will get instead of a doll-for you know you can't have both-isn't very big? Fairies ought to be very, very tiny, anyhow.

A Fairy For A Stocking "Just about that size, Auntie Ruth," said Chrissie, stretching out her hands. And Ruth sighed with relief. The doll which she had sent to go into Chrissie's stocking could doubtless be exchanged for a fairy of such small dimensions.

The fairy cycle was bought at lunch-, time next day, as a big toy emporium was close by the office. But the shop where she had got the doll was up in Oxford-street, which meant a hurried rush there before going home. But, alas! they could neither exchange the doll nor provide a fairy.

(Continued on Page 6.)