Perth Amboy evening news., 1905-12-22

~ Mrs. Dexter looked
up at her inquiringly,
also a~dmiringly, as a contented moth
er may look at a debutante daughter
who has fulfilled every expectation.
He might wait, she suggested.
Isabel frowned slightly.
H doesn't like to be kept waiting"
mot by Others" murmured Mrs.
Dexter, discreetly, but when it is you,
dear
Isabel laughed and shrugged her
shoulders as she fastened the last but
ION.
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.
Suddenly the smile vanished and she
leaned toward the window eagerly to
catch a glimpse of a tall figure as 1t
turned into Fifth avenue.
There is Mr.. Wade now" she said
Shall W. go back?"
She hesitated, a slight flush tinting
her face as she sank back against the
maroon cushions.
No" she continued. II think he will
wait"
The carriage passed without Wade's
recognition OF its 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 a
Christmas greeting to the girl he
loved.
h ladies were. both out, Clifford
told him at the door. Would he wait?
Miss Betty is hanging mistletoe in
he study for the ball tonight" ex-
planned Clifford.
Il will wait there" said Wade, and
Clifford stood alone in the hall, looking
at a S. 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.
'Isabels out, too"
There was a long silence. Betty's
chin was resting on one hand. The
other held a bunch Of mistletoe ready
for hanging OF the hook, and she
looked down at the tiny, pearly berries
meditatively. Wade walked TO the
window and back again to the base of
the footladder.
Don't you know that l 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.
In very busy, Mr.. Wade. You
know Aunt Octavia gives a ball to-
night. The decorators did all the
rooms except for the mistletoe, and /
am to put all of hal 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. 81 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 to the figure in black on
the %stepladder.
Betty, | need you most. sweetheart"
he said. Wont you come to me?"
The portleres at the end of the room
parted, and for an instant Mrs. Dexter
and Isabel paused at sight of the pic
ture before them. At the foot of the
ladder stood Wade, with Betty held
closely in his arms, his lips pressed to
hers.
Elizabeth" exclaimed Mrs. Dexter,
as she caught her breath.
Wade raised his head, his eyes brim-
full of merriment.
ITS all right, Mrs. Dexter" he said,
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