The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-12-21

ried. Ana it's not so bad That's the
funny part; it's not half bad.''
Mrs. Williams dinner was not bad
| at all. The woman was really cook
of no mean ACCOMPLISHMENTS. and the
sauce of hunger helped her fame. 1t
also helped to keep the children quiet.
that and the fact that their mother
would not sit down to table. but insisted
upon spending most of her time in the
kitchen.
1t was with difficulty that Bunker
could be prevailed upon to take his
place, for social distinctions, nearly OBJ
liberated in the presence of the storm.
re-established themselves in the house.
Wetherell amused himself by speaking
of the driver as his old friend Captain
Bunker, whom he had brought home to
dinner. and by treating him with dis
tinguished courtesy as the guest of the
occasion He also devoted himself to
Harriet, who sat beside him at her own
earnest request, for the. episode of the
two kisses seemed to have touched her
little heart.
Wetherell was witty and cheerful
throughout the meal He carved the
turkey to admiration and was appar-
emily alert to every ones needs. But
in reality he felt like a man in a dream
His surroundings were strange enough,
surely. but the wonder that perplexed
him was in himself Why was he not
bored? How could he laugh at chill
dren's nonsense and set a value upon
trifes?
IT'S her tact" he said to himself at
last looking across at Amy. "She is
carrying this whole situation on her
sh builders and has carried it from the
start. If she were any other girl. I
would go out and hide in a snow bank"
After the dinner came the tree. but
l. - L.
Wetherell tried to see it that way as he
watched the two little girls come into
the room. They halted as soon as they
had crossed the threshold and stood
stock still, incapable of speech or mo-
tion--just two pairs of wide, wondering
eyes. Doubtless they still saw the gilt
tering marvel hours later when their
eyes were closed in sleep.
At o'clock Mrs. Williams dragged
them away. protesting, though their lit
tie heads were rocking on their Shout
ders- Mr.. Bunker went out to smoke
pipe in the kitchen. WetherelI and
Amy drew chairs before the fire and
sat with no other light except that from
the waning tapers.
Il have been singularly happy to-
day. said the man of the world.
You have been singularly helpful"
said she. 1T is the same thing"
II cannot quite believe it," he replied.
VI course II was TO certain extent a
pleasure to do what I could for my
companions in misfortune, but I'm too
selfish to be much moved by it,
IF you are selfish said she. you
have q remarkable way of showing it,"
81 really am" he said. Il feel a
selfish happiness at this moment Shall
tell you why? Because have found
my way This day has been a sort of
allegory. Miss Hunt. have for a long
time been lost in colder and more
hopeless desolation than any we en-
countered today. L have sought one
road and another and have always gone
astray- What should 1 have done? DO
you remember what 1 told you in the
grove this afternoon"
You said the road would do US no
good; that what we needed was shell
ter"
Precisely. And it has been the same
with me. The lean steeds of selfshness
and petty personal ambition-mostly
for money-have carried me as far as
they can 60 and on the wrong road
The path that have found today leads
out of the highway to shelter, a roof
over my head, home.
isn't it singular how fate has coerced
me?" he continued. This morning I
was the 1oneliest, most grabbed and
spoiled old rascal that ever took pleas
ure in being miserable / could hardly
bring myself to visit my dear old aunts,
who have loved me ever since / was
born. I was afraid of them, afraid of
their house, afraid of the children whom
they shelter in sheer goodness of heart.
"And fate looked down on me and
laughed. 1t put me into a place where
I had to go back to the natural man.
to fight the cold and the storm. That
was to crack the crust of artificialty.
Then it loaded me with responsibilities
such as had studiously avoided. 1t
sent you to me- and those two children
whom began by hating"
And myself also, 1 fancied,'' said
Amy.
Il was not drawn toward you, that's
a fact he rejoined. II was afraid to
accept even the responsibility of enter
tanning you with my cheerful conversa-
ton for g couple of hours. And what
resulted? Why, to be brief about it,
have been led step by step to establish
something very like home here in the
house of strangers and to celebrate the
best festival of the year as one might
do beneath his own roof. And like il.
In the way of humble confession, let me
say that / have never been so happy
before"
Il am very glad" said Amy, rising.
shall we put out the candles on the
tree?"
They began at opposite sides and ex-
tinguished the tapers until but one re-
manned ON low branch. Amy was
about to put it out when Wetherell re-
her.
There is a superstition said he,
about the last candle on the Christmas
tree. If two unmarried people blow at
it, the one who puts it out will be mar
ried first
Amy turned quickly and blew at the
candle. Wetherell did the same thing
at the very same instant. and the flame
vanished.
When they blow it out together
said he, sit is a sign that they will be
rrfed In the same church On the