The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-12-29
TEE SNOW MAN.

They left the little village stores with
their arms full of parcels and walked
back to Miriam's home in a strangely
leisurely fashion The road was very
exposed; in summer time the fields of
corn stretched like a sea on either side;
now the wind whistled across these bar
rem fields in shrill fashion and carried
in its wings some flakes of white.
"Snow!" Miriam exclaimed. How
nice I do love a real Christmas-cardy
Christmas, don't you ?"
Il love everything that you love-
said the man.
She laughed.
What q. rash thing to sayl I am
quite convinced you must detest and
RbOminate most Of those things in
which my soul delights. You know Dan
has told me all about you. Can you
honestly declare" she asked him
that you are enjoying this? Now
wouldn't you far rather be back in town
with all your accustomed comforts
your clubs, your cosy rooms, and your
good dinners?"
Yes" he answered truthfully, but"
he added, only if you were there"
Miriam laughed again
You do say awfully pretty things
but I wish you would not say them to
me- Mr.. Elvaston. I am really an un-
sophisticated person, you know, and l
may take them in earnest"
I wish to God you wOuld!' he said
They walked on, unconsciously quick
ening their steps The darkness that
had seemed so black when they had
left the village had lifted out here. The
snowfall made the world light; 1t lay
IN a thin veil on the world round and
chung to Miriam's rough tweed coat and
tam-o'-shanter. His own coat. too, had
a layer Of white down one side
Mimi" he said, and he suddenly
stopped, 1T IS so real with me-so real
and you only mock at me-
No 1 don't mock" Miriam answered,
afanHN
Ohi' she exclaimed as a packet slipped
from her arm and fell to the ground
the candles. and shall have smashed
them every one. Oh. please don't
bother!" But Elvaston had stopped and
found the package and had slipped it
in the string bag he carried, at least
as far as it would go
DO you know" he said, ''I think we
really ought to hurry, the snow is COM
ing thicker"
She gave him quick look Though
he could not see him very clearly her
Is. accustomed now to the white
DOM, could fashion the expression on
as race ana her heart beat uneVenly.
A duh, sad feeling crept over her, the
feeling that she had hurt him.
II you were not SO heavily laden"
she said, I would challenge you to
run There is nothing harder to run in
than snow except sand"
Last year at Christmas time 1 had
sand and more than I wanted of it"
he observed.
They drifted into a seemingly CHEEKY
conversation and laughed when they
reached the porch of the little old
house that nestled in the hollow to see
now the snow had plastered them.
You might very easily stand on the
village green and be a prize snow
man, Miriam said but I am very in
hespitable," she added. Il am only
with US again"
Don't ask me if you don't want
me- he answered brislxly
After much stamping and shaking of
themselves they passed into the COSY
nan, where a delightful looking old
lady was sitting by the fire knitting.
MY dear child, she exclaimed as
she saw what Miriam had been carry |
things up?"
Wen, he said he could" The girl
"a ehed. But as believe we are go |
ing TO be sRowbound for the next two |
or three days, I thought I would be on /
tne safe side and bring the provisions /
with me. Come along" she said to |
INVASION, we viii take all our goods |
INTO the kitch' g, and then you shall go |
md smoke a cigar; know Won are d7,-
ing to have one
How nice 1t is in herel' he exclain- |
ed as tlsey filled the kitchen table with
packages. He looked about him, ad- /
miring everything. from the red-tiled /
floor and shining coppers to the BEAM |
- 1000 VI liz OAA maui servant mere
was a great bowl on a side table with |
a wooden spoon in it.
obi the mince meat" cried Miriam:
eve must stir it for luck"
How mysterious" said Elvaston. |
Their hands met just for an instant |
as the spoon was passed from one to |
another.
H would like to have fingered in the |
kitchen, but Miriam appeared to be
very busy, so he went to change his
wet clothes, then returned and sat OPP
posite the delightful cid lady by the
nah fire, and at her entreaty he smoked /
a cigar. Mrs. Winstone found him
rather poor company.
DO you know" he said abruptly, IT
don't think I shall be able to stay for
the new year as you so kindly sug-
gested?"
"oh, we shall be so sorry" said the !