The Red Cloud chief., 1901-12-20
His Revenge
A Christmas Story

1t was Christmas Eve that year
when John Maxwell went away to
make his mark In this world. Alice
Tower was Just eighteen. They had
been lovers for a few years and were
now engaged. Something that she had
said to him about the quality OF tho
present he brought to her on Christ
mas Eve piqued him. Two years
from now" he said, Il will come back
to claim you. Then l will be n rich
man. These had been John Max
wells last words; and there had been
a fire in his eye, and certain lines OF
determination about his mouth which
augured that he would make them
good. But the two years had passed
and six months more and Alice had
heard no word.
Sitting under the old apple tree one
warm May afternoon. she Idly won
dered whether his silence gave her
pain or pleasure. When John had bid
den her good-by the thought Of his re-
turn had been the sustaining power
in the moment OF his departure.
lHOuSl SUE udu Siltu ~ tSoiS ONSa
the story OF his many failures; though
she had received with gladnass the
knowledge of his first successes;
though she had once waited with i'm
patience for letters that did not come.
she now felt 1t to be almost u relief
nay, Quite-for tsvo years as a long.
long time, and Alice felt THAT In W
years she had grown old not only In
years but in experience. Did 1t not
make the difference between eighteen
ana twepty? Surely. whan one had
left their teens behind them 1t was
time to learn wisdom.
n, zaatue ywvuIts nUr ~stIopvT ~ NV
\ oun thoughts that there had been an
| othor teacher: that not 50 easy would
| hnyc been enc lesson of ,forgotfulness
b.s ..ur another lesson hcen cOnned In
dts stead. Ii was all "A b~ewildering
maze In the little head under the
masses of rich brown hair. with just
a CLINT of red among them as tho sun
gave them It's farewell kiss.
But a brighter red stole into the
rounded cheek as a well-known step
drew nearer. and a shadow for which
the apple trees were mot responsible
was thrown beside hers.
Good evening, Miss Alice" said a
CHEEKY voice. II thought that I should
find you here. The evening is too
lovely for indoor life"
Yes" she answered. ut ia very
lovely.
sfAa a. Slpn,,1l hnss hu .aIInI L. I.-,
er, more impressive tones. ito grace
your presence. Alice" he continued
throwing himself on the ground be-
side her, shall ] tell you why I am
so glad to fnd you here? Because 1t
seems the most fitting place to tell
you something else. which, though
you must already know. 1t Is fit that
l should put into words. They are
poor words. darling. ] am not versed
In eloquence: and even were /, here
eloquence might stammer. But they
are words old us the world itself. Il
love you:' l have but one hope in life,
and that is, that you will share It. II
Is not much that / can offer you, dear.
Perhaps | should say wait. before l
take you from your comfortable home.
But yet. why should l. II O love
me. you will stand brayely by my side,
and we will share whatever storms
life may have in store for us. as wa
| share It's sunshina. Alice. what IL
your answer? VIII you be my wife?"
All, 1t had come at last. Once the
girl had tried to check the torrent OF
Lis words. He had tut caught tie lit
tie, OBTAINING hand In his own strong
palm and held 1t tightly. The small
head mad dropped lower. A short,
gasping sob was in her throat, letting
no word find it's way there. What
was she to do? Two years ago she
had given another promise; two years
Of toll and Inconsistencies had Leen
endured for her sake; but for six
months she had heard nothing. Per-
Aaps John lad forgotten her-as ah,
she hal almost added, "as she had
forgotten him." But OF John. Dent
Dexter knew nothing. and Dent Dex-
ter she loved. So 1t was. that when.
half wondering at her long silence he
again :cpcated his question, shs simp-
ly raisco to him the sweet, fair face,
and CONTEXT with what he read there.
he stopped and pressed his first kiss
upon the young red lips.
Curiously enough. their wedding
day was set for Christmas Day, the
third anniversary OF John Maxwelrs
I~eave-taking. Dent wanted the event
fixed for a nearer date. Alice was
persistent. Perhaps she hSf a special