The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1904-12-23
! GERRY TALBOT, S
CHRISTMAS DINNER

| extremely gratifying, especially after
LOUIS rapturous acclamations.
At precisely IL o'clock the bell rang
for the first time to announce the ar
rival of Aunt Katie and Tim and the
baby, all polished and prinked to the
verge of painfulness. Next came Mis-
Posey, little, faded, bowed, ancient
woman in rusty black, with long gold
loops in her wrinkled ears. Lame Bet
| ty thumped in on her crutches, closely
followed by Mol, in borrowed finery,
of various sizes. Meg brought blind
Jonas, and merry little wrath of q
man called Tom Doom.
Talbot shook hands all around with
Merry Christmas!" after which
they all took their places at the beau
tiful table, the like Of which none OF
that humble party had ever looked
upon. But it was kindly madness
that possessed the host of that boun.
tiful dinner, for his stories were OF
the pleasantest and his watchful care
was unfiagging. His guests rewarded
his efforts by spontaneous enjoy
ment of all that was set before them.
1t was good to see them wait upon
blind Jonas, who could not help him
self, and upon lame Betty, whose Grip
pied hands made difficult the use OF
knife and fork.
Now and then Talbot rose to refill
an empty glass or replenish a half
emptied plate, and in the midst of one
of his excursions around the table
the hall bell thrilled merrily, pro-
longed, intimate, expectant trill that
sent all the blood rushing madly to
his face. There was pause, then
James quiet, well-trained voice said:
Eyes, madam; he is at dinner in the
studio"
The door swung inward, and
Well. Talbot knew that he was not
dreaming when she came toward him
with outstretched hands and ripple
of explanation of which he heard not
one word. Indeed, to him one isolated
fact filed the world-that she was
smiling up at him with q great prom
Use in her eyes. He heard himself say
something about delightful surprise,
which she interrupted with half
apologetic question concerning his
guests.
Talbot beamed around the table.
"A little friend of mine wanted to
give her friends a Christmas dinner,
and persuaded her to let me share
it." he explained, jauntily, TT has
been a great treat to me-"
Miss Wakefield read the whole
truth for herself as she lookeG into
the good, homely faces that reficcted
their hosts praises in every glawce.
She said nothing, but her eyes told
what Talbot would have given all he
to hear from her lips. Then
Mr.. Wakefield and his wife ventured
in. and Talbot bethought himself to-
ask if they had dined, which they had
not.
81 warmed Grace that we'd jar
plans by running in at
this hour, but she thought We might
as well look in ON our way home"
said her brother.
Lou and Talbot made room for
three plates here and there. and as
there was q plenty OF crullers and tur-
key and ice cream, all went well to
the very end Of the function, when
the eleven originally invited guests
rose and made their adieus with glad
hearts and beaming faces. Talbot saw
them all safely slowed into the ele-
vator cage, when. with Happy New
Year, and many jolly returns!" he
hurried back to the studio.
Miss Wakefield stood before the
crate, while her brother and his wife