The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-12-16

Marbury looked round the station masters ffttN paror. It comfortably furnished. and brightly decorated holly and ivy and laurel and box. And from the doorway suspended sprig of mistletoe
 But then you know, he said, handing the hot buttered toast to Miss Cherriton I should have been with you if we had reached Highdale" Miss Cherrf- took great interest in the pattern of her teacup
 Wees" she said. But then there would have been the others there"
 Ah they would" said Marbury. "Um! don't know whether this Is not"
 "Tm sure they'll miss you" remarked Miss Cherr-
 "rm sure theyn miss you" answered Marbury. say-I glad that hadn't to face the misery of staying here all alone. There was something provi- dential in meeting Don't you think so2"
 Miss Cherriton murmured that it certainly did seem rather like it. and remarked that there were strange things in the world. Marbury agreed, and said, with profound conviction, that you could tell how anything would-turn out. The impromptu tea party progressed satisfactorily.
 After tea Marbury insisted on opening his hamper and presenting its contents to Mrs. Wilson. He was quite he said, that they would be showed for weeks. and besides, if they were not he could MT. Trimblethwaite another consignment of edi bles when he returned home. So he unpacked fine cod, a can of oysters, a noble Strasburg pie, and Stilton large box of candied fruits, and a consignment of crackers, and solemnly requested his hostess acceptance of them all
 Miss Cherrton thought Marbury pleasant and so- ciable and kind hearted. He evidently knew how to make himself at home wherever he went He talked necessarily, made jokes, and kept things going He told gre-t many humorous stories, and stirred the agent into narrating a few of his own Then Miss Cherriton was induced to play Christmas tunes upon the station masters harmonium and Marbury sang in a fine tenor. Ere they broke up for the night, Mrs Wilson said she hadn't spent such a lively Christmas eve for years
 There being no sort of society in these parts," she said
 Next morning the snow coming down fast
 
 Marbury facetiously Suggested that they should all walk church. but the church six miles away the proposal only lightly discussed But the day passed pleasantly In the morning Marbury and the station master smoked their pipes over jug of ale and discussed politics, railway matters, and things in general Miss Cherrton who had praiseworthy in' stncs to domestcity insisted helping Mrs Wilson to cook the Christmas dinner. After dinner they pulled -ackers and decorated each others heads with paper caps. Wilson still wearing his when he went to sleep in his easy chair and while Mrs. Wilson busted in the kitchen with washing arrangements Marbury and Miss Cherriton sat at the parlor window watching the whining snow and ex- changing ideas. They discovered that there was a considerable unanimity of opinion between them.
 That night there singing and story tell ing. Marbury insisted kissing Mrs Wilson under the mistletoe For some deep and mysterious reason, however, he did not kiss Miss Cherrton. But the station agent in quite paternal fashion, did
 Next morning it was still showing Marbury declaring that he must have something to do bor- rowed strong boots and old coat from the station master, path through the mighty drift. He thus engaged all day, and developedNa healthy appetite.
 ing at his front door,. predicted from ~the feel of things thde~there was going to be a thaw. Before next day the thaw In full run, and the the mountain fell side cataract. swollen by the melting snow, sounded all along the misty valley The day the railway line was open.
 II bit sorry to leave the old couple" said Mir. Narbury when he and Miss Cherriton steamed of the station their way to Highdale. I've spent worse Christmases than that Haven't you?"
 "I--I think have" answered Miss Cherriton
 Mar0ury ventured to take Miss Cherrlton's hand Miss Cherrton, immediately became greatly interested in something that she saw of the window the other side
 Of course" said Marbury of course 1t was we'll it was you-who-er-made it so pleasant, you know"
 Twas it?" murmured Miss cherrton.
 Rather" said MT. Marbury. II wish 1t was com ing all again. say"
 ~Yes' said Miss Cherriton.
 co Don't you-dont you think it would be rather nice to spend next Christmas by ourseves-au by our selves, this time-in a house of own?"
 Miss Cherriton became thoughtful
 T thin8 it's fine idear' asserted Marbury, con fdently placing his around Miss Cherriton's wasI Don't you?'
 Miss Cherriton found her tongue.
 Well, yes! she said. "I believe it s."
 Then Marbury sealed the contract
 A week later, when he passed through Mir. Wilsonn station his home he leaned out of the carriagt window and saluted his former host with great cor diality.
 It's all right" he said. they shook handA We're going to be married in May, and we'll comt you again, fear. Hang 1t, don't carG R-yGEs snowNA un F@- thxAa, weeks this timf