Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1903-12-16

her WORKOUT and blue. Lane sympa-
thizcd. for he had felt Just that way
himself.
"B-r-r-r" rang the electric bell Lane
frowned rs he reached his hand back
for the button. Why need common
place realities in the shape of the jan
itOr break in upon his day dream?
Then he Strengthened up suddenly,
The figure standing in the doorway
was not to be confused with the jan
itor. 1t was girl with rebeliOus
brown curls wandering down to OBJ
struct pair of serious dark eyes. 1t
was the girl of the fiat above.
The girl God uncertainty moment
IN the ga Iering dusk. then stepped
forward w'th sudden decision. Il beg
your pardon for intruding on you"
she said alphabetically. II don't be
iieve you can even see who / am In
this semidarkness. Won't you let me
light up: am the girl from the fiat
above" AS she spoke she turned to
the switch. In Il moment the room
flashed into Il blaze of light.
Lane still stared at her us if at
vision hut the years Of business train
Ing came TO his aid. won't you sit
down. Miss Fane?" he said courteous
ly. II can't rise-a little trihe Of a
sprancd ankle
"Yes. | know" the girl interrupted
sympathetically "The janitor told me
] am so sorry" The man found her
pity very sweet.
II don't want TO trouble YOU she
went on. but | am looking for one of
my Christmas presents which is lost.
strayed or stolen 1t must have come,
for my cousin writes that ii was mailed
some days ago"
lnst.nctively Lane spread his hands
over the dainty trihe lying in his lap.
Yes. the pillow hid it from view.
at is handkerchief case made OF
purple silk A. our names look some
thing alike. thought it might have
come TO you by mistake" She looked
at him expectantly
Now Lane had been mentally plan
ming how he might keep that handker'
chief case. He was thief in every
thing but the deed. But he could not
answer those searching brown eyes
II was mine" And he held it out weak
ly. Then sudden inspiration came tc
him. Il wish YOU would let me keep
Il" he said p.eadingly. Il will buy you
anything else in its place that you like"
Miss Lanes color deepened. why"
she asked wonderingly.
Because" Re said vehemently, "ite
the only Christmas present shall have
l have been lying here in the dusk i'm
aglning who might have sent it to me,
and | can't bear to give II up. would
not care so much if | was up and
around. You don't know how blue a
fellow gets shut up here all alone Lit.
tie things come TO count Il lot
He looked so helpless lying there Oh
the couch that the girls heart went out
10 him. and she had fashion of fol
lowing her heart more readily than her
head. You poor fellow she said gen
tly. II know just how you feel. You
shall keep the handkerchief case. Cous-
In Laura will never know. and | have
several others. and YOU must count il
as real ChristmaS present from me-
Only don't give me anything in its place
except to wish me merry Christmas
when come down TO see You in the
will bring some of the good
les from my home box. They will make
you forget I'LL about the ankle"
She hurried away. Lane did not know
that il was because she wished to hide
tears brought to her eyes by the dumb
look of gratitude on his face. And he
lay back and wished that the morrow
might come.
Before another Christmas the two
Hats were empty. Mr. and Mrs. Lam
were keeping house in Il large fiat on
The ground floor. His wife always de.
.larcs that he stole her heart and the
case ut one and the same
iuse on that memorable Christmas eve.