Columbia courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1902-1905, 1904-03-11

man. Christmas comes but once year
make the most of it."
), Van Story turned and grasped his
friends hand.
"There may be something in it, old
chap" he said. AT any rate. 1 thank
you. And now must be off,"
Van Story, when he arrived at the
Pinkton mansion, was agreeably sur
prised to find that the crowd had di-
minished-there had been an after
noon tea, and this was the tail end
of 1t.
1T was very good of you to come,
even il you are Late she said. you
don't do this sort of thing very often,
do you?"
Not any oftener'-Van Story was
going to add, than l can help" but
stopped himself for an instant. Then
he thought it better to be strictly hon
est and so he added-"than can help.
hate this sort of thing" he contin-
ued, looking her frankly in her blue
eyes, because, you know, it's SO IN
satisfactory"
"Sir!" she pouted back, do you
mean to say that my tea is unsatisfac-
tory"
He nodded.
For me, 1 mean," he added. He
lowered his voice, although this was
hardly necessary, as three women on
their right-the left-overs-were dis
cussing the opera. Il shall never be
able to see you alone" he said.
"What makes you think that?"
swell. haven't 1 been trying to for
weeks?'
She smiled.
"lf at first you don't succeed, try, try
again. By the way, will you help us
trim the church tomorrow night?"
That's manual labor"
II know it, and that's what I want
you for. If you don't like teas, you
surely will enjoy trimming a church.
That will give you something to do. l
know you are strong. because you used
to play football, and besides, you look
strong"
"Do I-really? So does hired
man."
She pouted again.
| Now, l intended that for a compli-
ment and it was horrid of you to turn
it the other way. But you will. come,
will you not? You know the church
the large old-fashioned brick that sets
off the avenue. The sexton will have
the ladder, and the greens have all
been ordered"
Van Story smiled at her enthusiasm
"Who's going to be there?" he asked
LET me see. They've placed me in
charge of the affair, you know, be.
cause | really felt l ought to do some.
thing this year, and there will be -four
others to hep-the superintendent, Mr.
Pumpton; the infants Bible class
teacher, Mr. Huddle; the assistant or.
ganist, Mr.. Wringer. and Nestryman
Springer makes six in all, doesn't
it-counting us in?'
Van Story arose.
"That's four too many" he said, as
!, he held her hand. Don't you thinL
! SOP
: She flushed slightly.
YES" she said softly. "But-youl
be there, won't you? Surely?"
+ III be there" he replied. ITO
morrow night mt eight"
As he walked back down the avenu,
: Van Story almost shouted to himself il
t the eXubcrance of his new thought
) Here at last was his opportunity, afte
, so much waiting-aftcr the long day
! spent in hoping against hone that tn,
} next time he might stand face to fac,
+ with this beautiful girl and tell he
how much he loved hcr-hrre, mt last
.. was his chance. He hastily repeated
$ over the rames of the church trimmin;
+ party that he might not forget them
e He would go TO the sexton find thei
!, addresses, and the rest was easy.
That individual was at his home
= reading the afternoon paper, which Ii
f put down apologetically as Van Stor,
5 entered.
4 II am from Miss Plnkton, abou