Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1904-03-02

ut was three days before Christmas.
80 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 COO, buoyant afr-with certain
crispness about 1t that the ocean al
lows even. to the metropolis on occa-
sional winter afternoons 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-
gponsive smile-the slight pressure Of
the hand-a hidden language Of the
voice-what are seasons, wars, politics,
earthquakes, or any other paltry hui
man interests, compared with these?
And yet there was a certain season
ableness in Van Story's thoughts as he
walked deliberately along-deliberat
ly, and not with the Impotence that
love manifests usually, because he
knew that on this particular afternoon
Miss Pinkton was not alone.
"Is she ever aloneY he had thought
to himself gloomily, when he had start
ed out II can't talk to her on a walk
with people all around, staring at us,
and this is about the only chance
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 refec-
lions, he suddenly came across his old
chum Castleton, who was, by the way,
Miss Pinlkton's cousin.
"Ah, old man, whittier away? But
think can guess" said that dap
per individual, looking him over half
critically. swell, Dorothy is at home,
and surrounded by all sorts and condi-
lions of men. I've just come from
there. And, by the way, you're want
ed"
WANTED where?- 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 l saw you"
"Who else is going to be there's?
Castleton took his friend by the arm,
and for moment they both turned and
looked over the solid iron palings 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 you all the
way from Dorothy's, and hoping
should meet you. l 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 feel about that
girl, Of course" he said, "but this
beastly town always stands in my
way"
II know it. I've been in the same
boat myself-simply can't see her
alone. People all around-at the thea
ter, in restaurants, and at home broth
ers and parents and others are always
dropping in. Oh, I've been there. But
Dorothy's worth having. Dorothy's
you know, because I've known you
both so long, and it just occurred to
me that this church trimming affair
might give you an opening"
II don't see how" replied Van Story.
'SThere'll be q lot of church fellows
there, will there not? The superinten-
dent of the Sunday school, and the
teacher of the young mems Bible class,
and so on"
"Well, you can get her off in a cor
ner, can't you-or get rid of the rest Of
them in some way? Tell them it's
postponed-there's your chance, old
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. thank
you. And now ! must be off,"
rryhn 1n al a
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 If you are late" she said. "You