Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1904-03-18

! 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,"
Van Story, when he arrived at the
Plnkton mansion, was agreeably sur
prised to find that the crowd had d.
minished-there had been an after
noon tea, and this was the tail end
of it.
1T was very good Of you to come,
even If you are late" she said. You
don't do this sort of thing very often.
do you?"
mot any oftener'-van Story was
going to add, than 1 can help" but
stopped himself for an instant Then
ne thought 1t better to be strictly hon
est and so he added-"than can help.
L hate this sort of thing" he contin-
ued, looking her frankly in her blue
eyes, because, you know, it's so un-
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. II shall never be
able to see you alone" he said.
What makes you think that?"
well, haven't I been trying to for
weeksW
She smiled.
IF 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"
Il know 1t, and that's what I want
you for. If you don't like teas. Won
surely will enjoy trimming church.
Ihat Will give you something to do. I
know you are strong because you used
to play football, and besides, you look
strong"
ieahy 30 does hired
man."
She pouted again.
NOW, l intended that for a compli-
ment, and 1t was horrid of you to turn
1t the other way. But you will coma
VIII you not? You know the church.
the large old-fashioned brick that sets
OF the avenue. The sexton will have
the ladder, and the greens have aIl
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 l really. felt I ought to do some
thing this year, and there will be four
others to help-the superintendent. Mr..
Pumpton; the infants Bible class
teacher, Mr.. Huddle; the assistant or
ganist, Mr.. Wringer and vestryman
Springer-that makes six in all. doesn't
it-counting us in?"
Van Story arose.
That's four too many" he said. ms
he held her hand. Don't you think
SOP"
She flushed slightly.
YES" she said softly. "But-you'l
be there. won't you? Surely?'
I'll be there" he replied. "To-
morrow night at eight"
AS he walked back down the avenue
Van Story almost shouted to himself I'm
the exuberance of his new thought.
Here at last was his opportunity. after
80 much waiting-after the long days
spent In hoping against hope that the
next time he might stand face TO face
with this beautiful girl and tell her
how much he loved her-here, at last.
was his chance. He hastily repeated
over the names Of the church trimming
party that he might not forget them.
He would go to the sexton, find their
addresses, and the rest was easy.
That individual was ut his home.
reading the afternoon paper, which he
put down apologetically as Van Story
entered.
II am from Miss Pinkton, about