Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-12-11

that he would have braved trip TO the
North Pole for the sake OF once more
holding her In his arms. And what Iel-
low wouldn't pray, for such compensa-
ton from q girl like Martha?
II was a glorious Christmas TO Tom.
ANY fellow who has been absent from MS
sweetheart for six months will know that
Tom was in Heaven that day. lie was
in the liyeliest humor and became even
boyish in his actions long before dinner
time. Whenever left alone with Martha,
and that was quite often. for one feels
like a brute when disturbing pair in that
stage of love which they had reached, ne
would hold her off from him at arm
length and gaze at her with that inde-
scribable expression in his eyes, and then
suddenly draw her to him in one of those
strong embraces; but pshaw, what's the
use Of going into all that. Every one or
you probably know all about it, or II you
don't. you will some day, and IL will only
make some poor fellow feel badly whose
girl happens to be many miles from him
at this happy season.
Love does not always destroy the APP
petite; at least, it didn't in the case Of
Tom And then ii must be remembered
that his morning ride of ten miles through
banks of snow was well calculated TO
cause him to feel just little hungry
when dinner was announced. And the
meal itself was one of those good, old
fashioned Virginia Christmas din
ners-such one as would tempt
any person-dyspeptic or not-and
make him forget for the time that there
was such a thing as a human ILL., and for
once break all the rules OF a strict diet.
and enjoy the viands placed before him.
Tom might prescribe a diet for his pa
tents but he evidently didn't think he
had need to undergo any such treatment
not on this Christmas-Day, anyway. And
when the desserts were served there lay
before Tom "a plate which contained a
bit of pastry that caused a smile TO play
over his handsome face. Yes. there it
was, layer OF brown. edged with brittle
crust--a most deliciovs-looking caramel
pie That pie went straight to Toms
heart. Rather an odd place. too, for IT to
find its way, and one that should have
caused Tom no little anxiety, he being
physician, and. OF course, fully aware
that ii had no business to lodge In that
portion OF his anatomy. But Tom was in
that condition when everything that came
from Martha's hands went 10 that organ.
The reader knows tho rest II DIR. Tom
had not made this Christmas visit fully
prepared to pop the question" that cara
mel pie would have done the work. But
II needed no such delicacy. much as 1t APP
pealed to the inner man OF Tom. TO cause
him to say those momentous words 10
the girl he loved And if ever a man
should have considered himself fortunate,
IL was Tom. as he sat that Christmas
night before the blazing log fire, the rudy
glow and pickering light from which was
sufficient Illumination for the room, and
enjoyed a good. long talk with Martha.
Never had Christmas brought as much
JOY TO him as did this one, which was TO
mark the beginning OF a new life 10 the
young physician. The logs sputtered
away In the open fireplace, and gradu-
ally burned low, until only the glowing
embers remained. but the two who sat
before the smoulderlng blaze needed II
not, for to them there was a light ahead
that shone with such radiance Just then
that the present was forgotten ia the
visions OF the future.
The soft-toned clock that licked ON the
mantel above them, however, warned the
two that but an hour yet remained before
that Christmas day. which had been so
much to both. would be numbered among
those OF the past. And so they bade each
other good night, and as they stood at
the foot OF the stairs, and Tom again
pressed the palm that lay within his own
something OF that boyish spirit that had
animated in the day returned 10 him
and with a twinkle in his eyes. he bowed
low. and kissing the hand he held. sa-
iuted Martha as. MY little pastry coo,,."