The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1900-12-26

expect him to suddenly become amenable
to persuasion on my part. Can we?"
NO" she said, Il suppose not. And if
he ever finds out why | talked to, him so
afternoon, my goose''-I suppose she was
going to add, SIS cooked" but she stopped
short there and then went on. ''The only
other way would take so long. Never
mind. I'll have it all done by Christmas
or perish in the attempt"
What is the only other way?' l
asked.
You'll see in good time"
One good thing came of that trip: Polly
wrote to Elise and made her take me
back into Strongs favor. | helped them
to find really snug little fat, and when
after that. deserted by my former bache-
lor chum, [ felt lonely in my own rooms,
[ often went and talked with my new
married chum and his new wife.
/ must say the obstinate refusal of her
father to be reconciled to them cast a
gloom over the life of, the young couple.
October faded into November and Novem-
seemed no sign of forgiveness.
On the 23d day of December Strong
came to my office very much excited.
Look at this he said, pulling letter
from his pocket.
1t was another of Miss Harkins' let
tiers. and it ran something like this:
you and your husband must positively
abandon all preparations for keeping
Christmas in your own fat. / have been
as busy as a beaver. Do just as | tell
you. Pack up and come here Get into
hack and drive straight to your faith
er's house, so as to be there between 1
and p. m. Christmas day. Do exactly
as I tell you. | know what 1 am talk
ing about. 1t will be all right.-Polly.''
What do you think of it?'' said
Strong.
ing about" ~
But what's happened?'
married the old gentleman we would
have heard of it."
ooh, don't talk nonsense said Strong.
HE isn't such a fool, at his time of life"
Are you going?" / said, avoiding ar
gument.
Eyes; we are" he said. ''This letter
has done Elise more good than anything
else could have DONE"
Il suppose so,'' 1 said. but you for
get that was to have eaten my Christ
ing to do about it?'
you'll have to come along, 1 sup
pose"
Mr.. Bertshaw's house is one of the
few in that city that have brick wall
In front and a carriage drive. When our
hack turned in to the private drive an
other carriage was standing before the
door. Somebody had just alighted, and
the carriage did not keep us long wait
ing for our turn.
AS we three entered the door we ran
into Polly Harkins, who was just drop
ping her wraps into the hands of Mr..
Bertshaw himself. Her mother stood by
her.
''Hurrah!' said Polly. ''NIerry Christ
mas" and she kissed Elise. Then, nod
ding to Strong, and me, she added:
What did | tell you?"
Mrs. Harkins seemed astonished at her
daughters frivolity. ut was all very
quiet" she said to me in low voice.
80 it was, very quiet, indeed. But just
think Of Utilise Strong actually looked
the gift horse in the mouth. for her first
words to her father were: Father, how
could you?'
'Well, my DEAR" he answered, ''if you
choose to please yourself why shouldn't
|! You forgive me and I'll forgive you"
That was my plan," said the second
Mrs. Bertshaw to me.
Excellent" / said.
And they let me stay to the Christmas
wedding dinner.-St. Louis Globe-Demo-
crat