The Palatka news. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1905-1908, 1907-12-20
n he prospect of spending Christ
mas eve and part of Christmas

the WEIGH persuasion are few and far
between, l did not feel justified in re-
fusing Cousin Clara's invitation. Be
sides that, Bixby was only few miles
distant from Mayville, where l expect
ed to put in a more or less painful sea-
son Christmas evening
Therefore | wrote Clara that I'd ar
rive on the $50 train Christmas eve
and remain with her until o'clock the
following afternoon. In this connec-
ton l mentioned neither my destina-
ton after o'clock nor any prospective
delight there.
Truth to tell in my thoughts l was
leaving that evening call as far as pos
sible in the keeping Of Providence,
realizing from past experiences that
the atmosphere Of Mayville had a
curiously unnerving effect on me. The
only preparation l had made was to
secure a Christmas offering in the
shape Of very small gold band carry
ing a handsome diamond and engrav
inside with the Ito mel musical name
"Rey Day"
But whether 1t will ever see the
rays of day." l said aloud, grimly pun
ming as l stuffed the tiny box into my
pocket, remains to be seen, as she
must take with 1t such a big blunder-
er as myself. oh, for q slice of Har-
olds assurance" l added, catching up
my umbrella and running for the street
car.
Harold WEIGH was my cousin and
the 'other man in the case" did not
love my cousin, but then we were even
there.
Il WONDER" l thought as | raced
across the platform and sprang on the
already moving express, eff Clara has
invited Haroldw
Ten minutes later my question was
answered in the person Of that gentle
man himself strolling leisurely down
the aisle Of the smoker
What a deucedly well set up fell
lowr' said a man behind me to his
seat mate. Looks as If he had walked
out of a bandbox, doesn't hep"
Harolds appearance was always of
the bandbox type, but l well knew that
his actions were not always, and Miss
Day
Hello, Robv' he cried, surprised, but
not any better pleased than myself at
the meeting. Going down to Clara's"
| emerged from behind my newspa-
per long enough to nod. Yes. Are
your
He did not reply at once. He was
taking my measure, as usual, with an
air Of quizzical CALLING amusement.
The cad has a way of making me real
lie my inconvenient length, the inferl-
GRITTY of my tailor and the cowlick that
adorns the right side Of my hair. His
eyes wandered upward to the rack
over the seat and lodged on my high
hat, the first | had ever INDUCED In,
while over his face spread grin
which made comments needless.
Then he replied carelessly: "Oh, yes,
l shall get around to the Pines on the
10 o'clock train in the morning Please
tell Cousin Clara, will you, and give
her my regards? Tonight'-he threw
the chill inducing remark at me over
his shoulder as he moved away-"I 90
on to Mayville"
Mayville! The blood pounded at my
temples and burned my face. Its all
up with me-" was my solemn thought
as l searched my pockets for my
match case. My fingers encountered
the tiny jewelers. box. Ruefully l
pressed it-poor useless little trlnket-
and looked out Of the window at the
weather.
l could not have looked at anything
less calculated to impart consolation
There was a storm on, driving storm
Of sleet, rain and snow, with Il heavy
leaden sky overhead and shoe deep
mud underfoot, the outer world, espe
cially that part Of 1t containing BiXhy
being an exact counterpart to my fb~k
ings.
l had never seen Bixby before, and
/ think one view would satisfy any
reasonable person. 1t consists Of q
small implanted station set down un-
protected In the midst Of the river flats
tempting all the winds of heaven, ana |
/ discovered the moment had set foot |
on the platform that none of the winds |
was resisting temptation. An infant |
cyclone wound the tails Of my long |
coat firmly around my knees and
forced me to hang on to my tall hat
with death grip, all of which graceful
maneuvering Harold was viewing with
relish from a window of the rear car.
AS the train rushed on down the val
ley | whtrled around and around to
hberate my legs from the embracesof
my coat tails, at the same time view
ing the nearby landscape in search Of
proper means Of locomotion to the
Pines, Saving my own patent leather
shoes, none was in sight.
From the station a road wound back
among the foothills CARRIED in gaunt
signing pines, which concealed any
signs Of the hospitality underscored in
Claras note. 1t was certainly the
most unpromising looking landscape
ever Viewed under the wings of night.
well, I'll be hangedr' I calculated
Il evaporation.
ut seems to suit We better to be :
bowed" came a voice"from the door
way, where 1 discovered the station
actotum shedding the light of his
rinning countenance on my gloom. !
Just then, beguiled by a treacherous
Ill in the storm, removed my anchor -.
lg hand from my hat and raised my
still straining my eyes up >
ne road. Where in thunder be =
an, but got no further. Down swoop- :
the wind and, with an exultant =
owl, tore my unanchored hat from =
y head and tossed 1t over the river a