Christmas Stories And Legends | Page 2

unselfish, and in order
to show that, it was decided that each gift should be a "White Gift."
The King heard about this beautiful plan, and it touched his heart in a
wonderful way. He decided that he would do his part to carry out the

idea and let his loving subjects know how much he appreciated their
thoughtfulness.
You can just imagine the excitement there was all over the land as the
King's birthday drew near. All sorts of loving sacrifices had been made
and everyone was anxious to make his gift the very best he had to offer.
At last the day dawned, and eagerly the people came dressed in white
and carrying their white gifts. To their surprise they were ushered into a
great, big room--the largest one in the palace. They stood in silence
when they first entered it, for it was beautiful beyond all expression. It
was a white room;--the floor was white marble; the ceiling looked like
a mass of soft, white fluffy clouds; the walls were hung with beautiful
white silken draperies, and all the furnishings were white. In one end of
the room stood a stately white throne, and seated upon it was their
beloved ruler and he was clad in shining white robes, and his
attendants--all dressed in white--were grouped around him.
Then came the presentation of the gifts. What a wealth of them there
was--and how different they were in value. In those days it was just as
it is now--there were many people who had great wealth, and they
brought gifts which were generous in proportion to their wealth.
One brought a handful of pearls, another a number of carved ivories.
There were beautiful laces and silks and embroideries, all in pure white,
and even splendid white chargers were brought to his majesty.
But many of the people were poor--some of them very poor--and their
gifts were quite different from those I have been telling about. Some of
the women brought handfuls of white rice, some of the boys brought
their favorite white pigeons, and one dear little girl smilingly gave him
a pure white rose.
It was wonderful to watch the King as each one came and kneeled
before him as he presented his gift. He never seemed to notice whether
the gift was great or small; he regarded not one gift above another so
long as all were white. Never had the King been so happy as he was
that day and never had such real joy filled the hearts of the people.
They decided to use the same plan every year, and so it came to pass

that year after year on the King's birthday the people came from here
and there and everywhere and brought their white gifts--the gifts which
showed that their love was pure, strong, true and without stain, and
year after year the King sat in his white robes on the white throne in the
great white room and it was always the same--he regarded not one gift
above another so long as all were white.

HER BIRTHDAY DREAM[*]
By Nellie C. King
Marcia Brownlow came out of the church, and walked rapidly down
the street. She seemed perturbed; her gray eyes flashed, and on her
cheeks glowed two red spots. She was glad she was not going home, so
she wouldn't have to take a car, but could walk the short distance to
Aunt Sophy's, where she had been invited to dine and visit with her
special chum, Cousin Jack--who was home from college for the short
Thanksgiving vacation. She slowed up as she reached her destination,
and waited a little before going in--she wanted to get calmed down a bit,
for she didn't want her friend to see her when she felt so "riled up."
Back of it was a secret reluctance to meet Jack--he was so different
since the Gipsy Smith revival; of course, he was perfectly lovely, and
unchanged toward her, but--somehow, she felt uncomfortable in his
presence--and she didn't enjoy having her self-satisfaction disturbed.
As she entered the dining-room, she was greeted with exclamations of
surprise and pleasure.
"Why, Marcia!" said Aunt Sophia; "we had given you up! I almost
never knew of your being late in keeping an appointment."
"You must excuse me, Auntie; and lay this offense to the charge of our
Sunday school superintendent," answered Marcia.
"I suppose Mr. Robinson is laying his plans for Christmas," remarked
Uncle John. "He believes in taking time by the forelock--and a very
commendable habit it is, too."

"Yes," answered Marcia laconically.
Jack glanced at her keenly. "Is there anything new in the Christmas
line?" he asked.
The gray eyes grew black, and the red spots burned again, as Marcia
replied: "Well, I should think so--he proposes to turn things