Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1905-12-21

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Mrs. Dexter looked
up at her inquiringly,
also admiringly, as a contented moth
er may look at debutante daughter
who has fulfilled every expectation.
He might wait she suggested.
Isabel frowned slightly.
He doesn't like to be kept waiting"
Not by Others" murmured Mrs.
Dexter, discreetly, "but when it is you,
dear"
Isabel laughed and shrugged her
shoulders as she fastened the last but
ton.
AS the carriage went down the av-
enue Isabel bent forward to watch the
crowd of Christmas promenaders
Il ordered the holly and mistletoe
yesterday" Mrs. Dexter was saying,
ruminatively. THE flowers came last
night, all except the table decorations.
They are to be there by II. Betty said
she would look after them"
'She has my chiffon dress to change
before dinner" said Isabel
Mrs. Dexter bowed her head in com
Portable abstraction.
one can 40 DOtn.
Isabel smiled quizzically at her tone.
Suddenly the smile vanished and she
leaned toward the window eagerly to
catch glimpse of a tall figure as it
turned into Fifth avenue.
There is Mr.. Wade now" she said.
Shall we go back?"
She hesitated, Slight flush tinting
ha l.
maroon cushions.
No. she continued. Il think he will
wait"
The carriage passed without Wade's
recognition of it's occupants. He
walked on up the avenue, his hands
deep in his pockets, his chin uplifted
belligerently.
He would see her at all costs. If he
asked for her alone, they could not
keep her from him. Heretofore in his
calls it had been Isabel, as a matter of
course, who received him. But to-day
was Christmas, and he carried
Christmas greeting to the girl he
loved.
The ladies were both out, Clifford
told him at the door. Would he wait?
Miss Betty is hanging mistletoe in
the study for the ball tonight" ex-
planned Clifford.
Il will wait there" said Wade. and
Clifford stood alone in the hall, looking
at IS gold piece which had reached
his palm suddenly.
She was trying TO hammer a small
brass hook into the archway, and was
singing softly. Wade thought as he
let the portieres fall behind him that
he had never heard "Hark, the Herald
Angels Sing" sound quite so sweet in
all his life.
Merry Christmas he said, and
Betty dropped the hammer.
Il said Merry Christmas" he re-
peated, laughing up at her.
please pick up the hammer" said
Betty, sedately. You mustn't bother
me-"
Wade laid the hammer on the table.
You can't hammer in a hook. 1t
screws in. Let me do it,"
Betty sat down on top of the ladder.
'Everybody's out" she remarked,
irrelevantly.
I'm glad of it," responded Wade,
composedly.
'Isabel's out, too"
There was long silence. Betty's
chin was resting on one hand. The
other held bunch of mistletoe ready
for hanging on the hook. and she
looked down at the tiny, pearly berries
meditatiyely. Wade walked to the
window and back again to the base of
the footladder.
Don't you know that | want to see
only you, Betty?" he asked.
Betty hung the bunch of mistletoe in
place with unsteady fingers. He could
not see her face.
Pm very busy, Mr.. Wade. You
know Aunt Octayia gives a ball to-
night. The decorators did all the
rooms except for the mistletoe, and /
am to put all of thai up
You are always busy"
A trace of sadness came over the
lovely sirlish face.
They are all very kind to me- she
said, brayely Il like to help, and feel
that | am needed"
There was the cound of carriage
wheels on the avenue outside. As they
stopped before the house Wade's jaws
squared with determination. lie held
up his arms TO the figure in blacN on
the stepiaddor
Betty, I need You most, sweetheart"
he said Wont you come to me-"
The portieres at the end of the room
Tartad and for an instant Mrs DfNter
and Isabel paused at siaht of the pie
ture before them. Al the foot OF tho
ladder stood Wade, with Betty held
closely iu his arms. his lips pressed to
hers.
Elizabeth" exclaimed Mrs. Dester,
ass she caught her Ireafh.
wade raised Dds head hiH eyes brlm.