. St. Nicholas [serial]. e star shone out sobright and beautiful the people below paused andgazed in wonder. The happy faces beamed evenbrighter and the unhappy ones changed instantly. What does it mean ? whispered one and an-other, while one dear little girl cried: Why, Mother, it s the Star! Dont youknow ? Yes, whispered the mother, clasping moreclosely the little hand and passing on. What made the cross ones look so glad, andthe happy ones look more so ? asked Anna Belle,as she watched the throngs below. I9I5] ANNA BELLES CHRISTMAS EVE 143 Dont you know really? asked the Fairy. Anna Belle p
. St. Nicholas [serial]. e star shone out sobright and beautiful the people below paused andgazed in wonder. The happy faces beamed evenbrighter and the unhappy ones changed instantly. What does it mean ? whispered one and an-other, while one dear little girl cried: Why, Mother, it s the Star! Dont youknow ? Yes, whispered the mother, clasping moreclosely the little hand and passing on. What made the cross ones look so glad, andthe happy ones look more so ? asked Anna Belle,as she watched the throngs below. I9I5] ANNA BELLES CHRISTMAS EVE 143 Dont you know really? asked the Fairy. Anna Belle pondered a while, then looked atthe sky to see it thickly dotted with stars, andsaw that one shone more brightly than any ofthe others. She then turned to look at the staron the end of the wand, but lo, it had vanished! I have one, and a music-box, and many readinbooks with pictures. But how can we get themto the places? Fairies are stronger than you think. I willsummon my helpers. Anna Belle then heard a sound as of wind. Where is it? she asked in surprise. It came down and did its work and then wentback where it belongs, replied the Fairy with aroguish twinkle, and Anna Belle stared for amoment at the splendid bright star, then saidsoftly: I understand now why it could do it,but I had forgotten what Christmas really a long time it has seemed to mean onlythings. Gifts—and not only gifts, but certainkinds of gifts. Oh ! she said wistfully, I wishI could do something to help. Was that what youmeant when you kept saying, That depends ? That was just what I meant. Now you haveseen the Star, and I know all will be well. Anna Belle seemed busily thinking, and theFairy waited. The attic is full of presents I did nt want,and I have a lot of money I was going to use forthe bracelet. // you did nt get it, laughed the Fairy. I dont want it now. I d rather use it forthese poor little children. Elsie must have a doll. whistling around the corners. In a moment thereappeared fairi
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Keywords: ., bookauthordodgemar, bookcentury1800, bookdecade1870, bookyear1873
