The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1906-12-21
Mr.. ATfur'S Christmas Gift.

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girdle, fell in straight folds to her tiny
feet. Growing her small head were
! chrysanthemums maroon and gold.
and line OF the royal flowers reached
from one sweet, bare shoulder to tie
hem of her gown. The chrysanthemum
girl was the lovelest sight in the room,
but she was not the best sustained
character, So
II hope you don't think I care be-
cause you awarded the prize t. Grace
Hereford" interposed the girl scoill.
fully, land please don't for q minute
think ! am angry at anything I am
only disappointed in you" Her voice
qllivered a little
Il have suspected the chrysanthe.
mum girl of having moods" Arthur oh.
served, looking at her ref1ectively. "A
fellow l know has different names for
her-Moonlight, White Rose, Laughing
water, Gentleness, Beauty, Wisdom.
The fellow has admired her when she
was gay and when she was serious, but
never before has he seen her when she
was unreasonable"
The chrysanthemum girl shifted.
viii you kindly explain?' added
Arthur.
Il had always been so proud of your
strength of character" she began.
''The first time ever saw you was in
a trolley car. You sat opposite me, and
when the car turned the sun shone
into your eyes. There was plenty Of
room on my side, where the sun
wouldn't have annoyed you, but in
stead of changing your seat you got up
and pulled down the curtain. l thought
to myself, There is a man who will be
master of circumstances, no matter
what they are and
Rose stopped in confusion as she re-
membered other things she had thought
about this finely formed, handsome
young man.
go on" he said, leaning forward
with great interest. "What else did
you tkink?"
"And now to find out that you are
nothing but a chameleon after ALL"
she walled
"A what?" Arthur exclaimed in
amazement.
"A chameleon" she repeated tear
fully. IF you are on a brown leaf
you're brown; if on a green tree then
you're green"
well, green l acknowledge I am,
for bless me if can see what you are
driving att
THE other day when auntie was talk
Ing about the sin of wasting your time
In dancing you said that you agreed
with her that when there was work to
do folks ought to do it, You said YOU
were not going to the masquerade for
that very reason"
well, l didn't intend'-
"You said you had several hours
work at the office that night. Then
Grace Hereford came along and asked
you to go. and you went!'
There was a flicker Of amusement on
Arthur's face which Rose did not see.
being too busy winking back unwel.
come tears.
Miss Hereford had nothing to dc
with it, Rose he said gently. Il went
to work, as l said. About 8 O'Clock Mr..
Jones, the president came in and said
that if l could find Hasson and get his
signature to certain paper and get
back by II o'clock he would make il
worth my while. l had an idea that
Hasson was managing that masquer.
ade and that's where | found him. He
buttonholed me at once to be Judge of
the concern and wouldn't sign the pa
per unless l agreed. l saw l could get
back by II, so l stayed"
And had plenty of time to dance
with Miss Hereford supplemented
Rose sweetly, but unjudicially
This time Arthur's smile was certain.
II looked for the chrysanthemum girl
first and couldn't find her." he said
truthfully. Il danced only once. But
what made you think Miss Hereford
asked me to goT'
'She said she would wager she could
get you to go and that you would
dance with her first, SO l went to see
i'll didn't think you would when you
said you wouldn't, butt
Il see" said the young man quietly. |
An Unborn loyalty to womankind kept
him from telling Rose that just as he
had started away Miss Hereford had |
run to him. eXclaiming that as he was
SO kind TO award her the prize she Ger.
tainly must reward him with the first |
dance, etc. With n sudden impulse he |
took Roses little hand in his.
She sprang up and started for the |
fireplace, but he held her gently back |
Listen" he whispered.
On the glowing Goals smoked Evan.
geline Bell. and on the rug, with eyes
turned TO the ceiling, knelt Henrietta.
20 God she was saying, NOW l lay
me down to sleep. l give my precious
dolly, so you will make the faiwy queen
wiz the ewown of her golden hath tt
hwing Mr.. Arfur the little heaht he
wants for kwismas That's all, God
only please LET me see her when she
comes. Amen"
"AmenH echoed Arthur fervently.
"Grace Hereford has black hair" oh
served Rose inconsequently.
''She may have green hair for all II
matters to me-" said Arthur, with i'm
polteness. Rose. darling
Il wonder if God WILL" Henrietta
Nxrn M ,,.ys,,, |