The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1905-12-23


also admiringly, as contented moth
ar 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. discreetIy, 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.
she can do both"
Isabel smiled quizzically at her tone.
rCinderella?" she asked, lightly.
Mrs. Dexter's face lost a trifie of its
serenity. There was even a mild look
of disapproval in her eyes.
Il hardly think it is proper of you to
apply such term to your fathers sis
ter's only child"
| But Isabel still smiled. Since her
fathers death, the position Of his sis
ter's only child in his household had
been a most undesirable and untenable
one.
Suddenly the smile vanished and she
leaned toward the window eagerly to
catch a 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
her face as. she sank back against the
maroon cushions
NO" she continued. Il think he will
4 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. II 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 q
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 S. gold piece which had reached
his palm suddenly.
She was on a stepladder at the arch
way leading to the reception room.
There were baskets of holly and ever
green about and pile Of mistletoe on
the table.
She was trying TO hammer q 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 hook. It
screws in. Let me do it."
| Betty sat down on top of the ladder.
"Everybody's out" she remarked.
rrelevantly.
"Pm glad Of it." responded Wade,
composedly.
"Isabels out, too"
i There was long silence Betty's
hin was resting on one hand. The
ether held bunch OF mistletoe ready
or hanging on the hook, and she
looked down at the tiny, pearly berries
meditatively. Wade walked to the
window and back again to the base OF
he footladder.
Don't you know that l want to see
only you. Betty" be asked.
Betty hung the bunch of mistletoe in
place with unsteady fingers. He could
not see her face.
I'm very busy, Mr.. Wade. You
know Aunt Octavia gives ball to-
night. The decorators did all the
rooms except for the mistletce. and /
am to put all OF that up"
You are always busy"
A trace of sadness came over the
lovely girlish face.
They are all very kind to me-" she
said, bravely. 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. He held
up his arms 10 the figure in black OF
the stepladder.
Betty. need you most. sweetheart, :
ae said. Won't you come to me?"
The portieres at the end OF the room
parted. and for an instant Mrs. Dexter