The San Francisco call., 1903-12-27
Copyright. 1908. by the S. S. Mcclure Co.

the clouds had parted and moved
away reluctantly. There was a blue
and dazzling sky overhead. The rain
drops stin sparkled on the windows
and on the green grass. and the last
roses and cETysanthemums hung their
beautiful heads heavily beneath them,
but there was to be no more rain. Ore
gon City's mighty barometer-the Falls
OF the Willamette-was declaring to
her people by her softened roar that
the morrow was TO be fair.
Mrs. Orville Palmer was in the large
kitchen making preparations for ihe
Christmas dinner. She was a picture
Of dainty loveliness in a lavender ging-
ham dress, made with a full skirt and
shirred waist and big sleeves. A white
apron was tied neatly around her
waist Her husband came in and
paused 10 put his arm around her and
kiss her. She was stirring something
on the stove. holding her dress aside
with one hand.
Its goin TO be a fine Christmas,
Emarine," he said, and sighed uncon-
sciously. There was a wistful and
careworn look on his face.
Beautiful" said Emarine, vivacious-
ly Coin downtown, Orville?"
Yes. Want anything?"
Why. the cranberries amt come yet
I'm so uneasy about EN-. They'd ought
10 "a ben stewed long ago. ] like 'em
cooked down an strained to a jell. 1
don't see what ails them groc'rymen.
Sh'u'd think they c'u'd get around
some time before doomsday. Then L
want-here, you'd best set it down"
She took a pencil and a slip of paper
from shelf over the table and gave
them 10 him.
Now, let me see" She commenced
stirring again with two little wrinkles
between her brows. "A ha'f a pound
O citron, hs'f pound O. candied peel.
two pounds O. cur'nts. two pounds o
ratsins-get 'em stunned, Orville; a
pound O. suet-make 'em give you some
that amt all strings; a box O. Norther'
Spy apples a haf a dozen lemons,
four bits worth o. walnuts or Almonds
-whichever's freshest; a pint O. Puget
Sound oysters fer the dressin', an a
bunch O. celery. You stop by an see
about the turkey. Orville; an 1 wish
you'd run in s you go by mothers an
tell her to come up as soon as she can.
Shed ought TO be here now"
Her husband smiled as he finished the
list. You're a wonderful hOusekeeper.
Emarine," he said. Then his face grew
grave. Got a present for your mother
yet, Emarine?"
"Oh, yes. long ago. got her black
shawl down [ Charman's. She's ben
wantin' one"
He shufied his feet about a little.
'Unhhunh. YOu-that isl reckon you
amt picked out any present fer-fer my
mother, have you, Emarine?"
No. she replied with cold distinct
ness. 4 amt" There was a silence.
Emarine stirred briskly. The lines grew
deeper between her brows. Two red
spots came into her cheeks. Il hope
the rain amt spoilt the chrysanthe-
NUNS" she said then, with an air of
ridding herself Of a disagreeable sub
ject.
Orville made no answer He moved his
feet again uneasily. Presently he said:
Il expect my mother needs a black
shawl, too. Seemed to me hern looked
kind o. rusty at church Sunday. Notice
it, Emarine?"
NO" said Emarine.
Seemed to me she was gittin' to look
Orful old. Emarine"-his voice broke;
he came a step nearer-"it'n be the first
Christmas dinner I ever eat without my
mother"
She drew back and looked at him. He
knew the look that flashed into her
eyes, and shrank from it. y
You don't have to eat this'n without
her, Orville Farmer, You go an eat
your dinner along with your mother 4
you want I can get along alone. Are
you goin' TO order them things? If you
amt, just say so, an I'll go an do 4
myself"
He put on his hat and went without a
word.
Mrs. Palmer took the saucepan from
the stove and set it on the hearth Then
she sat down and leaned her cheek in
the palm OF her hand, and looked stead
lily out the window. Her eyes held a
fsr-sighted look She saw a picture
but IL was not the picture of the blue
reaches OF sky and the green valley
cleft. by its silver-blue river She saw a
kitchens shabby compared to her own,
scsnti1y furnished, and in it an old
white-haired woman sitting down .to
eat her Christmas dinner alone. After
a while she rose with an impatient
sigh.
We'll. can 'tshelp Iti'sshe exclaimed.
IF knuckled down TO her this time I'd
have TO dot ag.in.- She'night just as
well get ust to 'tlirst as. last I, wish she
hadn't got TO slonlzin'k so old. an pitful.
though. a-settin' there in front %, US in
church Sunday after Sunday. The cords
stand put in her neck like well rope. an
her chin keeps -quiv'rin' so, Lean see
Orvslle .a-watchin' her"
The door opened suddenly, apdn her
mother entered. She was bristling with
curiosity. - M Il
say. Emarinei'' She lowered her
VOICE, although there was no one to
hear. Where d. you s'pose the. under
ts$ksE.s a7goin' ~Hp by here? < Have you
hear of ansbqdy-." ~ - ~
No" said Emarine.t did Orville
stop By an tell you to hurry up2"
Yes. What's the matter OF him? Il
he sick2"
Not as know Of why?''