The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-12-25
CHRISTMAS POOL AT REDMOUNT.
(By Henry w. Doe. J

!
Y GU know that"
Right here said Dick, lis where
you begin. Thet'n make things all
pleasant to start with. Tell her you're
overcome with shame, but you couldn't
help it and you'd do it again if you got
a chance. Thet's the way to talk to
them She'll fade away and say, Gen
tie Willie, you're the main works, and
there's nothing else to it And Tommy
and l will duck in and give the i'm
there you are-nothing shy but the tulle
veil and the air from "Lohenerin.' -
I wish you'd leave your Billy Baxter
talk out, where Miss Greene is concern
ee, said Billy stiff1y, but the Willy Dick
persisted in his arguments and finally
persuaded his victim not to contradict
his cousins belief.
kflgore did not have any faith in
the same time he thought he could see
the objections to the other So he sat
there miserably until bedtime.
The next morning Billy Kilgore was
the first in the breakfast room, and
hung about two hours. fonly to see little
Miss Greene come in with two of the
Benham girls. and with distant nod to
him address herself with faint interest
to eggs and toasted mullins. For the
rest of the day she courted closely the
safety that lies in numbers. At luncheon
her seat, which had been next to his,
was changed, and his gloom deepened.
The evening progra mime, however, In
cluded outside guests at dinner and the
subsequent adjournment of the whoIe
party to Christmas eve dance at the
Riddlebys, and Billy poured his troubles
into Mrs. Hammonds sympathetic ear
to such good purpose that little Miss
Greene found him. by her side as they
all started for the dining room. Nor
was Dick Hammond at fault when it
came to alloting the house party to
such rigs as his fathers stable provided.
~
to the omnibus.
Billy made one embarrassed effort to
straighten matters out at dinner.
Il don't suppose 1 can even tell you.
Miss Greene" he began, how sorry I
am for-that is that you
please. Mr. Kilgore," she said, 80
wish-and there is certain subject that
is-very unpleasant to me I don't wan:
let other people see that things are diff
ferent-I can't do that. Wen have to
see each other every day But we can't
be the good friends we have beenf Now,
please" as he began to interrupt,
please don't talk about it any more"
Some one engaged them in the general
talk, and when the little flash of round
the-table conversation was over Billy
found himself listening to a disquisition
on the Mothers club and the general fed
Grafton from a voluble matron at his
left. He hadn't the heart to try again.
He even felt relieved when Miss Greene
and ne were established at opposite ends
of the omnibus for the drive to the Rid
dlebys. and there, after he had done his
duty by the other girls in the party, and
had been told by little Miss Greene that
she was sorry-but she had promised
quite three ahead-he took his stand in a
doorway and with melancholy perched
upon his alabaster," as Tommy Greene
put it. regarded the rest and refused to
be moved. And Mollie Greene did not
look once in his direction.
What do you think, Dick?'' said
Tommy Greene to his cousin, as the peo-
pie were beginning to tell their daughters
that it was really time to think of going
home. Looks bad, Ell? Let us hope that
him"
'Hushr'' said Dick. Never say die.
Stick it out to the finish. Have an idea"
What them"
Make Billy put on his blanket and take
him out of the stable to look over Rid
dlebys new plugs. I'll do the rest"
Five minutes after Tommy had obeyed
these instructions Dick rushed in among
the dancers, his hair rumpled and breath
ing as if he he'd run a half a mile
where's Dr. White?'' he gasped out
-"Oh, there you are, doctor-stable-
and then as they all gathered about him
quick"
Whats the rnatter?' said everybody.
Just heard-Tommy's there-Billy Kill
gore-horse kicked him-'fraid s bad"
The doctor and several of the men ran
upstairs for their hats. and in the cor
fusion no one noticed a small figure as it
flashed into the hall and out through
the front door
Billy Kilgore. walking toward the house
from the stables was struck with wonder
to see little Miss Greene. her skirts gath
cred up, her pretty shoulders cleaning
white in the moonlight. speeding toward
him over the frozen ground.
why, what" he began.
''Oh Billy" said little Miss Greene, lis
It very bad. Dick said you were hurt
Billy Kilgore did not give her chance
to say what she thought. The next in
slant she felt a fur-lined coat about her
which wrapped her closely, and that with
out the aid of buttons and button holes.
and Billy was looking. down at her and
saying with a happy ring in her voice:
ITS all right. But would you care little
girl Would you care, Mollie? Would
your"
why. I-you see she began breath
lessly, that is. I-you know 1 would. Oh,
Billy. they re coming"
Then it became apparent that buttons
and buttonholes were of some use on over
coats after all.