The Palatka news. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1905-1908, 1907-12-20
LETTER YOU PROMISED TO LET US sEE SHE BATTERED

I'm so sorry, but had to go to May
vile, and there found Harold and
brought him back with
The rest was lost on me, for slipping
out of the vehicle, something held
tightly in her hand was Rey Day. For
one awful moment l prayed the floor
to open beneath me, for no man would
willingly appear ridiculous before the
one woman In the world. But suddenly
ingly, but with an expression in them
that caused me to dash aside the robe
which still Rugged me and rise, light
hearted, to the occasion and my feet.
Taking off my derby, l made
sweeping bow. 81 regret, Cousin Clara
and Miss Day, that can't receive you
in the orthodox evening clothes, but
you can see for yourselves that such
garments as l have on are ample
enough to entitle them to be called full
dressv
With that 1 stood forth to view on
the floor. AS turned slowly, tapping
Bridget's slipper, mud begrimed and
draggled, my brow eclipsed by the
agents hat everybody was convulsed,
even Bridget.
'Arrah, now, Mis- Smith," she cried,
"and who would liver take such look
in mon to be cousin of yer ownr'
''You did just right, Bridget not to
take him in," gasped Clara. You see,
Rob, expected Eben would come dur
n o Nd fol ho 81,
they would know him by his white
hair. But / expected to get back with
Rey before you came. Eben didn't
come, and the girls know better than
to admit strange man after dark
since the robberies up the river"
Especially such looking villain as
that!' cried Harold. Il tell you, Miss
Day, Rob didn't look like that on the
train. He was got up regardless of
cost or his relatives feelings. But that
was before he took to stealing umbrel-
las and spoons, and, by the wayne
turned abruptly on Rey-"what plum
der did Betty hand over to you? Has
Rob stolen anything of yours?"
Rey smiled and glanced at me uncer-
tainly, but her fingers did not relax
their hold on the little box. Meeting
my eyes, her own fell, and the color
swept up over her round cheeks.
Yes" she replied demurely, 81 fear
he has"
Harold glanced from one to the other
Of us suspiciously, but just then Clara
claimed his attention, while Betty mo-
toned me back among the shadows.
He was awful anxious to see into
the little box" she whispered, "but I |
looked out that he didn't. | give it
right to her." And in the same breath |
Betty claimed her reward by adding, |
Cant you give me the message to-
night, STRIP
certainly could and did, In my
exuberance Of spirits that station agent
got his pay in full then and there for
his outfit. My hearty recommendation
even overlooked the fact that both
boots and umbrella leaked.
When Betty retired, blushing, 1
found Rey at my elbow, while Clara.
at the back Of the carriage, began load
ing packages into Harold's arms.
Without glancing up, Rey held the lit
tie box out to me. ITS yours" she
whispered. Take It,"
Willfully misunderstanding herI bold.
~ took possession of the hand, box and
all. THANK you-dear-it a Christ.
mas gift which value above rubies."
"oh, no, mol" she faltered. 81 didn't
mean-I meant the-the r-box."
But she did not withdraw her hand
and Harold, glancing around Just then,
let package slip from his arms. II
reached the floor with crash.
"oh, you careless stupidg' cried
Clara. Your last hope of Christmas
gift is shattered"
80 see," responded Harold, with I
unnecessary and grim emphasis,