The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1893-12-23

Il dreadful plight. lie had been caught
by a shower unprcparcd The rain had
taken the curl from his hal" and the
dye from his mustache. His long locks
fell around his face like rats tails.
Ugh. it was iorriL. l was SO disguised
/ discontinued my music lessons. He
| said he would shoot himself il l didn't
rclcnt, but lc never did," she concluded
with All injured air.
Poor fellow laughed Horace. But
how about chapter 1ivc?' She flushed
and fal1rrcd, but said: oh! I'm In
the midst of that .,ow." What would
YOU do il you knew how it would cnd:'
said he.
She looked mp into his anxious face.
then said very seriously. CLOSE it and
begin another"
Toll. sir: 1t was the rccrcant gate
keeper. Horace paid the toll. whipped
I'D the horses and they dashed through
| The busy streets. 4 lew minutes later
he left her at Mrs. Se,cord's door and
babe her Il merely cool good evening.
The next day just as the morning
train was leaving the station. :: messen-
ger boy rushed brcathlcssly in. He de-
posted IL box on Maud Seacorl's lap,
and, having done this, hurried out. She
opcnd the box. There, lying half-hid-
den among the deep rcd roses, was Il
card. On one side was engraved "E1or-
ace Albert Hardness" on the other in
Il gentleman's handwriting these words.
''Thc Close Of Chapter ""
- A -
ut was your turn, Mr.. Hardness"
called out a languid brunette, who was
lounging in a hammock.
Ss(Ni,.n 4 Hvn,,ys nvnAp.iannaS Harry !"
suggested some one on the other side
Of the fire. Still the person addressed
continued to gaze thoughtfully into the
burning cmbers. At last he began what
she called "a love story that ended I'M
expcctedly."
Ho pictured Il scene at a toll-gate,
just at twilight. FESTIVE horses, an
anxious youth and Il goldcn-haired
maiden with a tip-tilted nose and a
pensivc mouth We're there. He ex-
planned the young mans object in ask
ing the history of the ring, and told
them how she saved him Il direct re-
fusal by her story. He related what he
remembered of her five chapters, con-
Guiding his last and shortest chapter
when she found the card among the
roses containing the words: The Close
Of Chapter ""
THAT man was an idiot" abruptly
remarked the languid brunette. "Why?'
asked the story teller %curiously. BE
cause the girl loved him." she contin-
ued. "She gave the only answer she
truthfully could when she said she
said she would close it and begin an
other if she knew how the chapter
would end. If he were only flirting
with her she would be compelled to
close it, while, If he really loved her,
the new chapter would follow as a
matter Of course"
Did they ever meet again, Mr.. Hank
nessy' She turned to where he had
been sitting, but he was just disappear
ing among Il grove of cvergrecns.
"Glory to God in the highest! On
earth peace and good will to men, the
choir chanted, and the words found an
echo in the hearts Of the silent wor-
shippers. To the few who had come to
midnight service this Christmas eve
the beautiful service seemed very i'm
pressive. They all followed the service
devoutly through save one, a young
more engrossed in q young lady q little
ahead of him than in the services.
/. When the services came to an end he
waited in the rear of the church until
the young lady he had been watching
started out. She did not notice him
until he stepped in front of her, then,
though startled, she calmly greeted him
and passed hastily out.
But he followed her. Noticing this
she suddenly turned and demanded,
"What have you come here for?"
For you, Maud" was the cool re-
O Then his manner changed.
miss Scacord," he said, "if I am to
blame for this misunderstanding l have
more than paid the penalty in bitter
ness of spirit during the last two years.
'"Telr me-" he pleaded, twas 1t a mis-
Understandings" She was silent.
Maud" and he took her hand, do
YOU remember two years ago on Christ
ihas day, you told me the story of
your five chapters in connection with
a ring? Now I add another to your
collection Clipping a ring on her fin
ger). 1t marks the beginning Of Chap
ter Number SiX-the last chapter in
your book of recollectiOns."
She hesitated and the diamond caught
her attention as it sparkled and gilt
tered in the moonlight. A few mo-
ments later the clock struck one She
was startled for a minute, then slipping
her hand into his murmured In a soft,
sweet voice, IA merry Christmas to
you. Horace"