The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1905-12-23


er may look at a debutante daughter
who has fulfilled every expectation.
He might wait, she suggested
Isabel frowned slightly.
HE doesn't like to be kept waiting. 81
Not by Others" murmured Mrs
Dexter, discreetly, but when 1t is you
dear"
Isabel laughed and shrugged her
shoulders as she fastened the last but.
ton.
As the carriage went down the ay.
enue Isabel bent forward to watch the
crowd Of Christmas promenaders.
81 ordered the holly and mistIetos
yesterday" Ms. Dexter was saying.
ruminatiVelE. THE flowers came last
night, all except the table decorations.
They are to be there by IL. 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.
Suddenly the smile vanished and abe
leaned toward the window eagerly to
catch a glimpse Of a tall figure As n
turned into Fifth avenue.
There is Mr.. Wade now" abe said.
Shall We go back?"
She hesitated, q slight flush tintinE
her face as she sank back against the
maroon cushions.
No." she continued Il think he viii
wait"
The carriage passed without wGde's
recognition OF its occupants. He
walked on up the avenue, his hands
deep in his pockets, his chin upliftsd
behigerently.
He would see her at all costs. II he
asked for her alone, they could not
keep her from him. Heretofore in his
calls 1t had been Isabel, a. q 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" az
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 arrnway, 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.
1 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. It
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.
lsabel's out, too"
Ihere was a long silence. Betty's
ehin was resting on one hand. The
olher held bunch Of mistletoe ready
tor hanging on the hook, and she
Ooked down at the tiny, pearly berries
medltatively. Wade walked to the
HIndoW 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
pace with unsteady fingers. He could
not see her face.
I'm very busy, Mr.. Wade. You
know Aunt Octavia gives a ball to-
night The decorators did all the
iOoms except for the mistletoe, and 1
an TO put all of that up"
You are always busy"
trace Of sadness came over the
lovely girlish face.
They are all very kind to me-" she
saio' bravely. Il like to help, and feel
uat am needed"
There was the cound Of carriage
wheels on the avenue outside. As they
s'opped before the house Wade's Jaws
squared with determination. He held
~ his arms to the figure in black on
the stepladder.
Betty, l need you most, sweetheart"
ne said. Won't you come to met"
Inc portieres at the end Of the room
parted, and for an instant Mrs. Dexter
lo isabel paused at sight Of the pic
sure before them. At the foot Of the
Hooer stood Wade, with Betty held
hers, fo0''0 -
E1zabeth!" exclaimed Mrs. Dexter.
she caught her breath.
wade raised his head, his eyes brim-
Tul Of merriment
Its all right, Mrs. Dexter" he said,
ueerlly. We're under the mistletoe,
Suo Bettys Just promised to be the
SAly migtlaf0a ofrl a. e. ,,,o-HS g.