Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-12

q sudden softening Of her clear. bell-like
tones, that you are of to St. Louis, ana
to Clayville which holds nothing but men,
cries, and your dear little mother, who was
once SO precious to us both, will be sitting
alone watching for the Christmas dawn.
Fate plays such strange tricks. Why, 1t
seems like just few months since your
mother and my mother had that joint
Christmas tree"
She was looking steadily out of the win
dow, where the snow flew by like the pure,
sweet memories she was reviving. Her
profile was softer than it had been in the
dining car. Borden coughed and frowned
He suddenly recalled the pitiful expression
on his mothers face as he had implanted
that perfunctory kiss on her forehead.
why must you go to Clayville? It's an
awfully dead place. he asked harshly.
Mildred turned to him In amazement. He
was looking straight ahead, and his fore
head had contracted into a frown, which
did not reflect the thoughts surging through
his brain. The brakeman hurried through
the car.
Next stop Syracuse, Change for the
Clayville and Northern branch!''
why can't you go back to West Taunton
and spend Christmas with mother? She'll
be deucedly onesome-and-"
why, how absurd"
It's not absurd: We could catch the
noon train back"
"We?"
Her face had flushed and sudden anger
shone in her eyes.
Yes; oh. say. Mildred I've been the
biggest idiot 1t isn't all money-though it
working for he added, his cautious ma
ture reasserting itself. But I've lost a
iot Mothers lost more. I didn't realize
1t until l saw you. I've hurt her awfully, 1
know l have VIII you go back with me
and help make it up to her?'
me din of the rushing train almost
drowned the words, but Mildred caught
them-and more. She saw in his eyes that
, Mnlcn mad not been there in the days Of
loves young dream.
Inc man ahead was gathering I'D his
cuse. ~ ~ :"
Mildred, don't say no. don't deserve
you-but mother does Come home to us
ana ST. Louis may go hang"
Twas, u was ooyfsh, but it was earnest. She
hesltated-then smiled
IS a shame to waste that ticket to St
Louis, but-for the good of your soul-and
your mother-I-am going to West Tam
ton" "e'' i"oii-
Al syracuse they sent two wires One
Went to Clayvile and colfVeyed Miss Mil
oreu laws Christmas wishes and regrets
10 the house of Appleby The other went to
Jim Cartwright. and read:
provide Christmas treat for EMPLOYEES.
JOHN BORDEN"
1t was past midnight when he opened his
own door very softly and just as softly
summoned the astonished Maggie. His
inotner nearing was slightly impaired and
her door was closed. The two constructors
We're safely shielded in the dining room.
ana they trimmed the little tree to stand
by the mothers chair The bewildered
Maggie. too excited to sleep, waited out in
the kitchen to conduct this mystifying WIS.,
ltor to the guest chamber, and returned to
the attic to inform cook that these were
strange doings, indeed, for a well-ordered
household, but her tones belied her words
Inc next morning Mrs. Borden had the
same dream of the Christmas angel only
the figure was clad in something soft and
blue. The voice which said Merry Christ
mas, dear Mrs. Borden was not angelic
but very firm and cheerful and womanly.
Inc little white-haired woman sat straight
up In bed, laughing and cying together.
When she could see through her tears. she
found her son. lowering in the background,
looking sheepish but happy, and when she
reached once more for the firm but caress-
Ing hands of Mildred Davis, she saw that
the little pearl ring was back in its place
1t had been Jacks only present to his
promised wife but that was only because
every jewelry store in town had been closed
on their arrival