The Washington herald., 1908-01-13
THE SEASON OF GOOD WILL
By TROY ALLIS ON.

book, the TIN horn, and the small cup
and saucer inscribed Remember Me-
with as great show Of curiosity as If he
had not jumped Of the train during
short stop the night before. and hastily
bought whatever ne chanced 10 see In
snail shop pointed out by the porter
Before the possibilities Of the basket
had been exhausted. he learned that she
was on her way 90 her brothers ranch
IN answer 70 a telegram, 10 take charge
Of his children while be took his wife 20
a hospital for an operation on her eyes
that could not be postponed.
Jordan, hearing Of brother Bob, was
inspired To more plotting, and an hour
OF so later the porter. grinning, handed
her another telegram
introducing yorr neislh1r Thomas jordan. who
told me be would l10A after yo1 and ser that yog
had a real Christmas dinner. BOB,
80 that's the way Bob managed it!'
she said, showing the telegram TO the
innocent looking Mr.. Jordan. I've been
wondering how he fixed up that lUdicroUs
Christmas basket. And I'm afraid your
curiosity must have been rather hypO-
critical Didn't you write those rhymes ?'
severely.
Please call them poems" he begged.
If you knew the amount OF mentality I
used composing them, my dear young
woman. you would feel cruel 10 designate
them as mere rhymes. I stayed awake
awfulIy late-and smoked three cigars 10
stimulate my rhyming-I mean my poet
iCal genius" mOdestly.
Tell me when YOU met Bob? Were
you az Harvard together
Didn't you ever hear Bob mention
me?' Indignantly. THAT shows how
much one friends really think Of EN-
out Of sight, out Of mind. I never would
have believed old Bob would be
ashamed 10 cwu Up TO his friendship"
sOrrOWfully. Harvard was a great old
place. Mr.. Jordan declared with a fine
expression Of remIniscence and gener-
osity-considering Yale was his own par
tieUlar alma mater.
Mr. Jordan was not a hard man TO get
acquainted with in fact. his acquaint-
ance progressed about as rapidly as their
train. advertised by the company as the
fastest on the route
The snowy day no longer seemed dis
mal-he had forgotten that he ever had
any small nephews and nieces in Chi
c2go 10 make Christmas lively. II there
was anything lacking in the little dinner
they enjoyed in the dining car-if this
was not the most perfect Christmas Day
ever turned vut since ! Ammo Domini-
Mr. Jordan failed TO recognize it,
But as they neared Prescott, his stop
ping place, he awakened 10 the trouble
some knowledge of a conscience. Would
she forgive him and take il in the spirit
of fun and good-felIOWship that prompt
ed it-Or would she consider herself in
suited by his forwardness, class him as
a cheat-can him some ladylike word for
liar? Misery fell upon him. She had
made IL the happiest 18th Of December
in the memory of man. He wanted 70
spend the next and the next, in fact all
the Christmas DAYS in his allotted three
score and ten with her. And
Bob will be surprised when YOU tell
him about me" he plunged into the CON
fessiOn abruptly.
After planning the whole day for us?"
she asked smiling
He loOsened his necktie slightly.
you see, I-er-never met Bob" he
said. having the grace to blush when she
gazed at him with startled face.
"Oh! and you made it all up" indig-
nantly.
But I want to know Bob. You have
no idea how anxious am to meet Bob.
Mayn't 1 come 10 see him as soon as
my business is Completed?" he demanded
eagerly.
Perhaps there would be no harm IN
it, she consented, flushing slightly.
Fact is. want to have a private con-
versation with him. I want to ask Bob
-tO,-er-be my brother-in-law. Do you
think he would?' insinuatingly.
The train steamed into Prescott and
the porter came to gather Jordans bag
gage. Jordan himself had forgotten ne
had any baggage
May I Gomez" he insisted.
She smiled and held out her hand for
good-by.
You might come and take a look at
Bob. Perhaps you wouldn't care for
him. she smiled.
I'm sure I should adore Bob" press
ing her hand fervently. Tell him III
be there at the earliest possible date"
he shouted making a break for the door
as the train started TO move.
Copyright 1903. by Homer smague.)