The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1906-12-30

NO. I've not proposed to her" cried
Joop from his vantage ground; I've
not proposed to her, i shall never
propose to any girl lest they'd be able
to boast they'd said no."
Even as he spoke the church doors
swung open and the midnight congre-
cation came streaming out. The VIII
layers and neighboring peasantry
scattered right and left, across the
snow, with lanterns; certain OF the
well-to-do strolled. conversing, toward
the lights Of the veranda; the doctor
and his wife, the notary, the ~bailif
and others, half a dozen richer farm
ers surrounded by their gawky sons
and silent womankind-a little buzz OF
conviviel recognition that sank back
from the places Of honor. the arm
chairs around scarlet tablecioth
against the farther wall.
Here they come" cried Bongers,
running to and fro. Make way for
the party from the manor house! oh,
Annexed" as he passed her, this may
be my last Christmas. Today burgo-
master and landlord. Tomorrow an
outcast,"
Il shall never marry" she repeated
under her breath. II have told you so
before, you and"-her pretty voice
caught in the dark-"other rnen!'
You talk like 'em all" he bit back.
bitterly. In the deserted aperture OF
the church door the great people had
appeared; they moved solemnly across
the square.
For I've loved one-man," gasped
Anneke.
''Oh. indeed, And that man is"
Dead breathed Anneke.
"a Christmas benediction to you all"
said the Baron m Blitterswyk. He
stood there in his many -caped, dark
exfyf t,xrf-
tons. and swung in a half circle his
wide cap of brown fur. His young wife
softly echoed the words beside him; her
enormous gray boa and muff shone out
bright against the silk of her
cloak. Two guests of the manor house
were with them. the young Baron Ron
da, some connection, and his mother. a
lady of the court
MY dear burgomaster," said the
Baron van Blitterswyk. "a glass of your
excellent punch, / pray you. as usual.
while they put to the horses. The
Christmas punch of the Lion Is IA
NOUS" he added to the Baroness Ronda
as the party sat down. The others fell
back to farther tables and punch and
gossip OF their own. You will enjoy
it." said the Baron to his ladies, be
fore your long drive through the
snow"
"Anneke. hot stoves for the ladiesr'
called Bongers, and Anneke came up
with her little boxes of peat.
What a pretty girl" declared the
young officer (Ronda), twisting his
neck under the lamp shade. MY dear,
you won't need TO avail yourself Of the
Christmas eve privilege OF Blitters-
wyk.''
what is that?' queried his mother
with a drawl.
Baron Blitterswyk laughed. ooh, we
Christnight-the Christnight only-the
females OF the village may propose to
the males"
Married or unmarried?' asked
Ronda-
Louis. for shame,"
Mother, you are town bred. You
have no conception of the blessed sim
plicities of the country.
Nine. de Blitterswyk, pale and
seemingly languid beauty, lifted her
slumbrous eyes. 81 think the whole
custom is a mistake" she said.
ct agree with YOU" replied Nine. de
Ronda II should call II most fmmod-
est"
"Oh, Baroness. modesty is my wife's
forte, you know"
Alas" murmured Louis.
Nine. de Blitterswyk frowned.
II was not thinking SO much Of the
immodesty," she said. but 1t seems to
me IL a woman asks as well as accepts,
she is doubly responsible for any-mis-
take she may commit"
My dear" said Nine. de Ronda.
Louis spoke eagerly: but marriage
is. fortunately, not an irretrieyable
mistake. The woman who has written
a wrong name upon her heart can write
another name across it,
Louis" cried Nine. de Ronda.
Baron Blitterswyk had been iadling
out the liquor. He looked UP harstly.
The custom is a stupid one" he said.
"A Christmas benediction to you all.'
He spoke the greeting loudly, with lift
ed glass All present, on the veranda,
on the square, behind the open win
dows of the hosiery, arose in response.
with applause that rang out in the
clear stiffness of the night And may
many christmases elapse." said the
Baron. as he set down his empty glass,
before there's another landlord at the
Lion"
Fritz Bongers stood beside him and
heaved a portentous sigh. "Ah, Baron,
you should say that to Anneke." An
nelSe disappeared. Your health, Joop,'
said the Baron.
The stupid says he'll never propose
TO any girl Baron, for fear she should
refuse him"
Then. on this one day In the year.
in this village" put in Ronda- The at
least has a faint chance Of getting a
wife"
Nine de Ronda turned amiably to the
innkeeper Have you any moro such
charming old customs here?" she said.
we have one" struck in Biitters-
wyk. hastily.
But. oh. do not let US speak of thatr'
cried his wife. more hastily still
J He scowled. Well perhaps better
not" he said. sullenly.
What now? You make me ourieus,
my dear Helen. And when = woman's
curious
.'ehe finds out" said Louis.
Blitterswyk redlled his own glass.
And when q woman really wants q
thing" said Blitterswyk. With msaning.