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

st was three days before Christmas.
So much in love was Van Story
that, as he walked up the avenue
this fact did not have the same empha-
sis that it might have had under differ
ent circumstances.
The ool,buoyant air-with certain
crispness about it that the ocean al
lows even to the metropolis on occa-
sional winter afternoons-might have
been hot and sultry and the fact would
not have mattered to Van Story.
To man in love, summer and win
ter, spring and autumn, lose their va
riety. Her last look-the radiant, re-
sponsive smile-the slight pressure of
the hand--a hidden language Of the
earthquakes, or any other paltry hu-
man interests, compared with these?
And yet there was certain season
ableness in Van Story's thoughts as he
walked deliberately along-deliberate
ly, and not with the Impotence that
love manifests usually, because he
knew that on this particular afternoon
Miss PinktOn was not alone.
as she ever alone?" he had thought
to himself gloomily, when he had start
ed out. 81 can't talk to her on walk
with people all around, staring at us,
and this is about the only chance l
have. Oh, for half day of last sum-
mer! Thirty minutes in that pavilion
would be all ask for. But what shall
I give her for Christmas? Flowers and
books are tame, and yet anything more
-"
While he was engaged in his reflec-
lions, he suddenly came across his old
chum Castleton, who was, by the way,
Miss Pinkton's cousin.
"Ah, old man, whittier away? But
I think can guess" said that dap
per individual, looking him over half
critically. "Well, Dorothy is at home,
and surrounded by NIL sorts and condi-
tons of men. I've just come from
there. And, by the way, you're want
ed"
"Wanted where?-at Miss Pink
ton's?" said Van Story-as If he didn't
know.
Sure" said Castleton. "There's 60
Ing to be church trimming tomorrow
night. and Dorothy has agreed to take
charge of it. She wants you to help
she told me to tell you if | saw you"
"Who else is going to he there?"
Castleton took his friend by the arm,
and for moment they both turned and
looked over the solid iron palinss down
on the snow garnished little grass plot
In front of the brown stone dwelling
house as If, for one instant, they had
mutually agreed to turn their backs on
the world.
"Old man." he said affectionately,
"I've been thinking about ypu all tile
way from Dorothy's, and hoping l
should meet you. suppose If you
really could see Dorothy alone for an
hour or so, you'd like it, wouldn't
you?"
Van Story looked at his friend sol.
EMMY.
you know how l feel about that
girl, of course" he said, but this
beastly town always stands in my
way"
81 know it. I've been in the same
boat myself-simply can't see hel
alone. People all around-at the thea
ter, in restaurants, and at home broth
ers and parents and others are Away,
dropping in. Oh. I've been there. Blu
Dorothy's worth having. Dorothy:
all right / take a personal interest
Won know, because I've known yor
both so long, and it just occurred tc
me that this church-trimning affail
might give you an opening"
81 don't see how" replied Van Story
"Thereu be lot of church fellow
there. will there not? The supernten
don't of the Sunday school, and th'
teacher of the young mems Bible class
and so on
well YOU can get her Off in a cor
nor. can't you-or get rid of the rest o
them in some way? Tell them IL
Observation-Disclosures your chance on