Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1904-12-10
Mr.. SNOW MAN.

They lett the little village stores WIN
their arms full of parcels and walked
back to Miriam's home in a strangely
lcisurcly fashion. The road was very
exposed; in summer time the fields of
corn stretched like a sea on either side;
now the wind whistled across these bar
rem fields in shrill fashion and carried in
Its wings some flakes of white.
Snow" Miriam exclaimed. "How
nice! | do love a real Christmas cardy
Christmas, don't your"
Il love everything that you love-" said
the man.
She laughed.
"What rash thing to say! am quite
convinced you must detest and abom-
mate most of those things in which my
soul delights. You know Dan has told
me all about you. Can you honestly de-
clare she asked him abruptly, that YOU
love the country-that you are enjoying
S,lis? Now wouldn't you far rather be
sack in town with ali your accustomed
comforts-yOur clubs, your coy rooms.
and your good dinners %
Yes" he answered truthfully. but"
he added, "ouy if you were there"
Miriam laughed again.
"" Wv say "NiullN pIcttN bHlHgS, out
] wish You would not say them to me.
Mr.. Elvaston. | am really an unsophis-
tcated person, you know, and | may
take them in earnest"
= wish TO God you would" he said.
They walked on. unconsciously quick
9nng their steps. The darkness that had
seemed so black when they had left the
village had lifted out here. The snow
fall made the world light; it lay in thin
veil on the world around and chung to
Miriam's rough tweed coat and tam-o'-
'shanter. His own coat, too, had layer
of white down one side
Mimi" he said, and he suddenly
stopped, ut is so real with me-so real
and you only mock at me-
mo, | don't mock" Miriam answered
hut | must confess you do amuse me-
OH" she exclaimed as a packet slipped
from her arm and fell to the ground, "the
candles! and / shall have smashed them
every one. Oh, please don't bother!" But
Elvaston had stopped and found the
package and had slipped it in the string
bag he carried, at least as far as it
would go.
do you know" he said, Il think we
really ought to hurry, the snow is com
ing thicker"
She gave him quick look. Though
she could not see him very clearly her
eyes, accustomed now to the white gloom,
copid fashion the expression on his face
ara her heart beat unevenly A dull, sad
feeling Crept over her the feeling that she
had hurt him.
IF you were not SO heavily laden" she
said, Il would challenge you to a run.
IL bo to H.,
snow except sand"
Last year at Christmas time had
sand and more than | wanted of it," ne
observed
They drifted into seemingly CHEEKY
conversation, and laughed when they
reached the porch of the little old house
that nestled in the hollow to see how the
snow had plastered them
You might very easily stand ON the
village green and be prize snow man"
Miriam said, but l am very inhospita
bic she added. II am only afraid you
will never come to stay with us again"
Don't ask me if you don't want me, f"
he answered briskly.
After much stamping and shaking of
themselves they passed into the cozy hall,
where II delightful looking old lady was
sitting by the fire knitting.
My dear child she exclaimed as she
saw what Miriam had been carrying
could not Smart have sent those things
up?"
well, he said he could The girl
laughed but as believe we are going
to be snowbound for the next two on
three days. | thought | would be on tht
safe side and bring the provisions with
rue. Come along" She said to Elastou
eve will take all our goods into the
kitchen, and then you shall go and smoke
cigar; know you are dying to hay,
one"
How nice it is in here!" he exclaimed
rs they filled the kitchen table witt
packages. lie looked about him, admir-
ing everything. from the red-tiled foo,
and shining coppers TO Tie beaming fac,
of the old maid servant There was s
great bowl on i side table with wooder
spoon III it.
oh! the miuce meat cried Miriam
we must stir ii for luck"
"lIow mysterious" said Elvaston. Their
hands met Just Tor an instant as tn.
spoon was passed from one to another
He would like TO have fingered in III,
kitchen, hut Miriam appeared t. be Yer,
busy, so M went to change his we
clothes, then returned ana sat oppo~it,
the delightful old lady by the hall fire
and at her cutreaty he smoked a cigor
Mrs. Winstoue found him rather roo
company.
"Do you know" he said abruptly. d"
don't think shall be able to stay for IN,
new year as You so kindly sug5c,tcde"