Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1898-12-23

| distinguish him from the many men
| who passed along the same streets. he
was simply a gentlemanly appearing
man, no longer young, tall and we'll
formed, resolute of face, and with hair
that was turning gray.
He was we'll but quietly dressed, and
walked with the step of one tired from
travel, the chest thrown forward as II
to breathe, in all its sweetness, the
pure air free from the dust and smoke
Of locomotives.
1t was Christmastide. At no other
season are shop windows so eltlclns.
nor so many people on shopping bent
wearing that conscious look betraying
the purchases that are meant to be
concealed.
All this, to say nothing of the VEN
ders of evergreen and the heaps OF pine
and cedar about church doors telling
of the Christmas trees within. Once
when opposite one of the best looking
houses, he walked more slowly for
little way, looking up at the house
across the street, as il in expectation
of seeing some one.
Turning into another street, he paus-
ed before a rather pretentlous house
just long enough for a glance at all the
windows, and shortly afterward trim
maid opened the door in response 10
his ring, and he was ushered in. men,
following the maids announcement,
came the quick light tread OF feet down
the stairway and a woman who, in
feminine way, was like the man walt
ing in the drawing room, rushed INTO
the room and into his arms with
welcome full of tears and smiles and
ordinations of "Oh, Bob! Bob! why
didn't you let us know? am so glad
to see you!"
Just started on an impulse. Didn't
know really that l would come until
an hour before l was off. l thought,
too, it would be pleasant to surprise
you all, and then when I was here l
wished you had known of my coming.
1t was almost uncanny, as II | mad
been dead, coming along the old streets
and finding them all changed and
meeting only strangers along the
way"
The reunited brother and sister, for
such they were, sat for long time
exchanging "reminiscences Of the past
and information of the present, until
they were interrupted by young girl,
scarcely yet a woman, who, rosy
checked and bright eyed, came trip
ping into the room.
This is Nellie, Robert, your eldest
niece. Your uncle, from Oregon, my
DEAR
mot baby Nell!" exclaimed the gen.
tleman, in surprise, while the young
lady in question released herself from
his embrace with something like
pout, half indignant, as is the manner
of very young ladies at being regard
ed as only little girls.
The uncle was quite unconscious OF
the little assumption of dignity, and
the mother, more observant, passed 1t
by, saying: She has been round help
ing the Fairlee girls, Toms daughters,
decorate for a party they are to give
tomorrow night. Did you have pleas
ant morning, Nellie?"
"Oh, yes! More fun! Only Grace
and I were making some little joke
about Miss Patience under the mistle-
toe and we thought she heard us. We
went into the library for some wreaths
she was making for us. and we mag
ined that she looked flushed and hurt.
Isabel was real cross with Grace and
me about it, and we were sorry as
could be, for she is so sweet and nice"
You girls, fear, are very thought
less" said her mother soberly look
ing across at her brother, who had
picked up newspaper with which to
shield his face from the heat of the
open fire, and who remarked in a rem
iniscent way: We'll we'll! l think l
remember one or two little tots of Tom
Fairlee's, mere babies, and now they
are giving parties!"
A little later Miss Nellie went into
the dining room, where her mother
was adding a few extra touches to the
luncheon, and left Uncle Robert mus
ing before the fire.