The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1906-12-25

was looking at him steadily, after the
first start OF surprise, the color coming
and going In her cheeks. But in her
/ eyes was no fear, no displeasure; rather
the expectancy Of an explorer who. ven
turing far finds the present good, though
that TO come be unknown.
Presently they went out and hailed a
fiacre.
Where shall it be-" asked Drake
''Laure's? voisinis? Peters? No,
have it! Marguery's.
So they drove to MargueTy's. and
Drake ordered a bouillebaisse Cto be quite
seasonable), and a langouste mayonnaise,
and a bird and some sweets.
They had very jolly little supper, in
deed. and no end Of amusement watching
the merry-looking French people at the
tables, all devouring bouilIebaisse, and
other nicer things.
And TO think cried the girl. as the
clock struck Il, shivering with pretended
alarm, that I'm sitting here at this
hour, unchaperoned, in a French restau-
rant-with a man who hasn't even been
conventionally introduced"
Don't cried Drake, abruptly. Come,
we must be going home; it is a bit
late"
She was silent while they left Mar
guery's and hailed a dacTe. Then she
broke out in a queer little voice that was
low and tremulous:
Il think you must have a sister; you
take such good care OF a girl"
The facre rolled into the glare Of an
overhead arc light, and he saw her look
ing at him with a half mysterious. half
divine gratitude.
Please don't do that he answered
in a hushed voice. Something inside him
was pounding furiously. Something at his
| temples beat and throbbed
Don't do what?''
Look like that"
She not only looked Ike that but more
/ so.
Young man. young man., laughed She
with mock warning, I fear you're wish
/ full OF turning a girls head"
The Lord be good to met he broke out,
! his pent-up passion Of dreams rushing TO
/ mis- lips, now that the barrier fell. Don't
YOU see it's because well I'd hoped TO
pass the evening without telling you that
! loved you-that's why ! was hurTying
you home. I told you a little while ago
/ if was your friendship I wanted. I was
wrong"
her little gloved hand TO him. then drew
it back quickly unnoticed. a singular
smile on her lips
You've known me for a few hours
| only" he went on. in a steady voice and
I understand what You think Of me for
speaking Ike this. If ] had known you
for years and had waited and had the
right 20 speak and keep your respect
| His steadiness did not carry him 10 the
end Of the sentence.
Then she laughed joyously, deliciously.
You are mistaken" she said Il have
| known YOU for years I used to chum
with your sister Gertrude at school. and
you used to come down from your uni
versity and we'd take walks. And we
went up to all the meets to see you run,
and you used to win. You called her your
kid sister and me the other kid'-and
you kissed me once. You've forgotten the
little girl who stood silent in corners and
looked at you with wide eyes But
couldn't forget. I used to have Gertrude
write me all about you till she married
that missionary and went to live in China
And then, I had your photOgraph-the one
in your track suit"
And just TO think. for whole month
now you've been living opposite TO me,
across the court, and I never knew it,
An LdNSe- We Ielt TOT years you would
come to me. and when I saw you tonight
my first impulse was to stretch out both
hands and be so glad, so glad. At once.
though, I saw you'd forgotten; so I de-
termined not TO tell you who I was;
wanted you to recall. When I spoke Of
you're having a sister just now, tried to
make you recall but I'm glad you didn't
Because It's me. all me, as 1 am, that
you lOve-and it's 50 good that wayr
a little later. through the frosty air,
the midnight bells of Noel rang out clear
Then at the last, very softly, from a dark
ened room across the court. Lansing
Drake heard a verse OF the old Christ
mas carol he had sung at his mothers
knee:
The snow lay on the ground.
The stars shOne bright"
He bowed his head in his hands, for the
Great Gift had come to him
When Christ our Lord was born
On Christmas night"
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