The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1904-03-24
0r was three days before Christmas

st was three days before Christmas
So much in love was Van Stor,
that, as he walked up the avenue
this fact did not have the same empha
sis that 1t might have had under differ
emit circumstances
The cool. buoyant air-with certain
crispness about il 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
yoice-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-deliberate-
ly, and not wi ID the impotence that
love manifests usually. because he
knew that on this particular afternoon
Miss Pinkton was not alone
rs she ever aIone?" he had thought
to himself gloomily, when he had start
ed out. Il can't talk to her on a walk
with people all around. staring at US.
and this is about the only chance L
have. oh. for half day OF last sum
meri Thirty minutes in that pavilion
would be all | ask for. But what shall
/ give her for Christmas? Flowers and
books are tame, and yet anything more
-"
While he was engaged in his relec-
tons, he suddenly came across his old
chum Castleton, who was. by the way,
Miss Pinkton's cousin
"Ah, old man, whittier away? But
1 think l can guess" said that dap
per individual. looking him over half
critically. well, Dorothy is at home.
and surrounded by all sorts and condi-
tons of men, I've Just come from
there. And. by the way, you're want
ed"
Wanted where?Lat Miss Pink
ton's?" said Van Story-as II he didn't
know.
Sure said CastIeton. There's go
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 II | saw you"
.Who else is going to he there?'
CastIeton took his friend by the arm,
and for a 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 II. 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 l
should meet you. / suppose If you
really could see Dorothy alone for an |
hour or 80. you'd like it. wouldn't |
your
Van Story looked at his friend sol
EMMY.
You know how I feel about that |
girl. of course" he said but this
beas silly town always stands in my
way"
II know II. 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
10 -fn 1trrf. 1
all right. / take a personal interest,
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.
'There'll be a lot Of church fellows
there. will there not? The superinten-
lent of the Sunday school. and the
teacher Of the young mems Bible class,
and 80 on"
"weIl, you can get her of in cor
uer, can't you-or get rid OF the rest of
them in some way? Tel. them It's
postponed-there's your chance. old
man. Christmas comes but once a year
make the most Of It,"
Van Story turned and grasped his
friends hand
There may be something in Il. old
chap" he said. Eat any rate. I thank
you. And now / must be off,"
Van Story. when he arrived at the
Pfnkton mansion, was agreeably sur
prised to find that the crowd had d.
had been an after
noon tea, and this was the tall end
Of it.
ut was very good Of you to come.
even II you are late" she said. You
don't do this sort of thing very often,
10 your
Not any oftener"-van Story was
going to add, than can help" but
stopped himself for an instant. Then
he thought 1t better to be strictly hon
tst and no 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 70 I'M
"sir!" she pouted back, do you
mean to say that my tea is unsatisfac-
toryT7
He nodded. Il
"ror mo. NOM no nd1ed. Hep