The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1902-03-12
BY Fritz KOrSmeyel


Garrisons, she ventured n restrained
Good evening" but GRANGER calmly
stalked by her over to the hall tree
When he had put aside his things and
turned to her again, she said:
"Alr Robert Is In his room, sir. Shall
| tell him you are here, or will YOU
I'm go up. He's expecting me-
At the head of the stairs he knocked
at his friends room and entered.
Sorry to keep you waiting, old man;
ready In few minutes. Sit down ana
make yourself comfortable, won't
you?'
GRANGER took the proffered cigar and
smoked In silence few minutes while
his friend worked at his crayat
II had Il rather peculiar talk with
Miles today" began GRANGER In tone
that led Garrison TO stop whistling and
humble an encouraging monosyllable;
"happcned to meet him on the street,
you know, Just as | was going into
Hopes TO look at Il few Christmas
things. He had such Il long face on
that thought he needed jollying up
bit. Not like him To need cheering, Is
III"
Scarcely" assented Garrison, with
an uneasy laugh. but Of course you
know that Charlie has had some ocea-
sion to look glum lately"
ooh. yes I've heard the family for
tunes have been rather going to pot.
Well, as | said, | started In to chaff
him about Christmas gifts. | bought
II few trlfies, but most OF the time /
was showing Miles things that | said
II man with a iianCee ought to be in
terested In, and he was. Several times
/ thought he was on the point of buy
Ing something worth giving. but lie
finally said he couldn't decide. We
walked UP the street together, and
Miles fell to specializing in a general
why as to what girls expected of their
tiances mt Christmas time. He seemed
to want my opinion. Queer of him to
come to me with that sort of talk,
wasn't 1t, Bob
'Yes, but | suppose he thought You
didn't know enough about his affairs
TO suspect that he was talking of his
own case. Men who are In love always
talk glltterlng generalities, while they
haven't Il thing III mind but their own
particular affair, supposlng other peo-
pie wont know II, What did you tell
hml'
well, | said II depended largely
upon what girls had been taught to ex-
pect From that we drifted into a dis
cussion as TO what man should do
when his prospects changed during his
engagement. Miles said that to the
sort of girl man would really care
for II would make no difference. Good
Lord-'the sort of girl n man would
really care forn told him man never
knows what kind of girl he Is likely
to care for or what kind he Is caring
for so far rs that goes, and said that
IL | were engaged to Il girl wouldn't
take any chances at Christmas. lie
responded rather weakly that most
girls OF our acquaintance already had
everything they wanted"
(Which Is quite true" put In Garrl-
son.
"Oh, yes, true as far MS it goes, but
you know very we'll that the average
girl likes to think her lover has search
the ordinary. Now, we men know that
nothing remains to be bought as
Christmas gift that we wouldn't just
as soon be without, but women don't
know ii and never WILL and so they
so ON, expecting joyous establishment
every year
"Stlll, | don't believe Martha's just
like other girls in that respect"
"Oh, ! don't mean that she cares
particularly for what Miles may give
her, IL | may touch ON such matters.
But wouldn't any girl of the proper
spirit expect BY the way" GRANGER
broke or, mterrupting himself and
CHANGING toward the half open door,
Il saw light across the hall when
came up Is that
Eyes. that's Marthas room, but l
think she's down stairs" Garrison
went to the door and called his sisters
name. Receiving no response, he re-
turned
Her door was open, but she didn't
answer, so she isn't mp stairs. Shall We
go now"
At the foot OF the stairs they en-.
eountered Miles. who had Just come In.
The three men chatted n moment. Then
young Garrison and GRANGER went out.
Miles thought Martha looked at him
more seriously than usual as she gave
him her hand. but her eyes were
bright and when she spoke there was
touch of gayety In her voice.
'Sit by the fire, won't your she urg-
ed. you must be nearly frozen.
like snow for Christmas, but without
this freezing temperature" She push.
ed chair nearer the fire and then
crossed TO n stand where huge roses
were nodding over the edge OF a cut
glass Jar and gathered them IN her
arms.
How do you always manage TO find
khe most perfect blossoms for me,
Charlesf'' the girl asked indlstinctly,
her face hidden In the roses. Che rails
ed her head for an answer, but the
man was looking into the fire. She
moved the stand nearer him.
IL want these close TO us this even
Ing. Don't you think they should bey
Why don't you reprove me for being
sentimental, as you always dor Or
are. you already under the influence
OF tomorrow and kindly disposed to-
ward every one, even mei'
Even you. Now. Marthn"-
"Oh, wen, III take IL back II you
don't Ike H." she FASTENED 20 say.
laughing. then IN tone of almost
bantering tenderness: MY dear, I
wanted TO tell you about nomc plans
for tomorrow. but how can l talk
Christmas when you are In such O
solemn state? You'd dishearten Santa
Claus himself
1--WE been thinking answered. Miles
slowly, that perhaps you may have
thought the roses may fhayef taken
themin way=may perhapsAayo mis-