Surprise

Northern Advocate, 28 December 1937, Page 2

Surprise

(By Marion Mitchell, 17 Apirana Avenue, Whangarei). The show was falling lightly upon the gaily lighted streets in the west of London. People, laden with Xmas shopping were hurrying to and fro.

But, as for little Betty Wilson, she was not among the happy group of children standing at the street corner talking of the various gifts each had received. Nor was she at home eating a big Xmas dinner. No, but she v/as dt homd, sitting by the window, shivering, and trying hard to keep back a burst of tears she knew would come any minute. Betty’s mother and father were dead and'Betty was living with her Grandmother who, until a few weeks ago when she had taken seriously ill, had been able to afford all the necessary things to brighten the Christmas season. But Grandma was still ill, and, Unless a specialist was called Grandma would probably die. f Specialists were

too expensive, so poor little Betty had to try not only to be happy herself but . to cheer Grandma as well. Above the mantlepiece hung a picture of a beautiful lady, dressed in, blue. This was Betty’s mother. As Betty sat gazing into her mother’s eyes and thinking back into the long ago, a sharp gust of wind blew in the window and caught the picture, which fell to the floor and broke to pieces. Betty rose and burst into tears. She looked at the wall, where the picture had been, there was a small white card with “PRESS SPRING” written in capital letters upon it. Betty felt the wall, she heard a click and then gazed in wonder. A panel slid back and there was a little safe with some papers in it. Betty guessed they were important so she ran to Grandma’s room, but Grandma was asleep and as she hadn’t slept for three nights Betty decided to leave her and run next door for help. Betty related her story to Mrs McCabe, their neighbour. They looked at the papers and found that it was Betty’s mother’s money, £IOOO with a little note saying it was for Belt:/. Together Betty and Mrs McCabe tiptoed into Grandma’s room and finding her awake they told the stor3 r . Grandma was breathless, but the shock was too great and Grandma sank back into the pillows. Betty ran for Dr, Williams and when he arrived Betty wont to do some - shopping. An hour later Betty returned laden with fruit, cakes, a turkey and coloured decorations. Dr. Williams told

Betty that he would bring the specialist the next day and telling her to let Grandma up for Christinas dinner he left the house. Betty went into the dining room and hung up the decorations, laid the table with all the good things she had bought, and after lighting a fire went in and bought Grandma out and they enjoyed Christmas in the real spirit. Grandma was quite better in a fortnight and she and Betty are still living and above the mantlepiece, in a lovely new silver frame hangs the picture of Betty's mother. —Original.