The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1907-12-22

faE0Flrs game that she and Tom rad
played when ne was FIVE and she was
four. Then the table was a starch box
out under the old apple tree, hidden
by a hedge Of raspberry bushes. Grape
leaves were the plates, acorns the cups
and saucers and z very mixed lot Of
berries, fruits and vegetables was the
dinner where Tom graveIy carved
imaginary meats and she carefully
poured rainwater tea out of gourd.
Tea for dinner today2 No, coffee was
a mans drink, and coffee it should be.
With song Of thanksgiving she not
ed that the years had passed pleasant
~ over the little house. In the parior
especially nothing was changed. There
We're the same deep chairs of horsehair
and walnut. the same round table with
a knitted white cover with deep fringe,
the brass lamp with round glass globe,
whose glittering pendants ratified when
you crossed the floor. There were scar
let geraniums poisoning in the win
dows and a wood fire burning in the
little CRATE below the white mantel
with its vases Of 'autumn leaves, holly
and berries. Gladys shared her reyer-
ence for old things and when she had
come. a child of twelve, TO make her
home with her Aunt Salome, had fit
ted into the quaintness of her sur
roundings as picture dts its frame.
Stop, thought Miss Salome. one thing
was changed. Her dress was somber
black and her hair drawn smoothly
back. Tom would not like this. Up
strairs she went and drew out a soft
gray dress that had been carefully
packed in sweet clover and kept for
state occasions. She loosened her soft
brown hair so that it looked fluffy and
the little stray ringlets that were anxf-
Gus TO get loose had a chance Then
she put on the gray dress and the
only bit Of real lace she owned. Gladys
was in her own little room putting on
a few finishing touches TO her own
toilet and Miss SaIome heard a smoth-
cred sob as she passed the door. Too
bad that this. her own happiest of hap
by days, should be marred by Gladys
and her girlish love affairs. Young
people did not know what was best
for them. Downstairs she paused long
enough TO stick a scarlet geranium in
her hair and the knocking of her guests
sounded as she did So
AS she went to the entry to open the
door slip Of white paper lay at her
feet. She hurriedly put it in her pock-
ct and welcomed her guests, then flew
to the kitchen, leaving the surprised
Gladys to entertain the guests until the
dinner was on the table.
Soon they were seated and oh, what
a happy Christmas dinner it was! !,
Tom told the story of his travels and
the minister dwelt on the glory of hav-
ing the little church reopened and to
Miss Salome's embarrassment dwelt on
her part in the affair. He spoke in
eulogistic terms of Salome's father,
who had died nearly nineteen years
ago. and who had been a great support
to this same little church in his day.
Mr.. Gladding spoke up and Joined in
the minister's praise of her father and
Salome knew by this sign that he had
forgiven the stern man whose decree
had banished his daughters youthful
love twenty years before.
Towards the close of the dinner, the
good minister asked: How does it
come, Mr.. Gladding, that you have not
come back to Glendale sooner if you
love the place so much? Why this
long banishment?''
Miss Salome awaited the reply, striv-
ing to hide her emotion.
''Well,'' said Mr.. Gladding, slowly,
most men make fools of themselves
at one time or another during their
lives. I left saying I would come
back when was sent for The sum-
non
A stubbornness hard for a gentle Chris
tan ike yourself to understand. II
said to myself I would die before I
would set foot in this town unless I
was sent for by the person who sent
me away" /
And that person. asked the wife |
Of the minister.
THAT person, Mrs. Wilson, was be- |
yond my bitterness and anger in a very /
short time, though this I learned but |
The reason for my going, /
however, remains in the same one
whose memory called me back If I
I'm forgiven for going I will try all
he rest of my life to make it UP TO /
hat sweet person"
rs it your sweetheart asked the
AANCANGAN0 -AA1 w A4AASD4Aa surely sic {
viii forgive and welcome you back
life isn't long enough TO keep bitter
ceilings
do you think she will?'' asked Tom,
ooking straight at Miss Salome, into
whose face a tiny rose crept, while
sladys looked on, a light dawning in
Ter pretty blue eyes.
Il am sure she will" said Miss saIo-
ne, softly.
Gladys, forgetting for the moment
er own woes, led the good minister
ato the tiny parior and sent Tom back,
aging, with a twinkle in her eye:
"Oh, Mr.. Gladding, I'm sure you must
1ng for your after-dinner cigar, and
m quite sure Auntie won't mind your
moking in the diningroom or kitchen
rhiie she straightens cut things and
cts them ready for Old Mandy to
ONE and wash up. VIII you, Aunt'e?'
Miss Salome blushed at the mischief
ancing in Gladys eyes as she left
he room. taking with her the two
uests.
1t was after the first few minutes