The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1908-06-04

bones in morris chair and determined
to return to the city early next morn
ing. lie would be old and sensible and
comfortable once more. He would for
get Gertrude as long as he could MT
keep UP with her youthfulneSs.
But alas for his determination. lie
nearly forgot his bruises and sprains
that evening in the charm Of Mrs. An
CELLS presence. and he noticed. too.
with a pang Of something very Ike
jealousy. that Briggs. the youngest
man in the party. occupied his spare
moments looking in her direction.
I'll see what the weather promises
for tomorrow, was his irreSolute COM
ment as he reached his room 1T mid
night and noted that Peter had obe-
diently packed his things ready for the
$40 train. If it should storm, may
be was his last conscious though
and then he drifted off into a lan,'
where Gertrude spent her ChristmaScS
with him beside Il quiet hearthstonc
and chaperoned house parties no more.
Next morning. when he awOke. the
snow was driving against the window.
while the wind whiStled Savagel!
through the trees. Merriwether turi
ed over with a deep grunt of Sat!Sfac
ton. There could he 10 slcighin%. II"
skating, no tobogganning. such Il day
as this. and that night was Christmas
eve and the Christmas tree. He had
purchased an exquisite copy Of Maud
for Mrs. Angel. 1t was poem they
had once read together. and he Won
dered if his memory Of the fact would
touch her. With these thoughts he
drifted back into sleep. and the morn
ing train went laundering cityward
without him.
But his triumph over the state OF the
weather was short lived. At the break
fast table his nephew curdled his blood
by the announcement OF the plans for
the Christmas trees. which yet stood in
the forest a mile across lots. Two OF
the men are sick this morning. fellows.
so we'll hare to fall into line and fetch
the trees" Roy proclaimed. with a rel
ish born OF twenty-three years and
warm blood.
The fellows" including Merriweth-
er. worked in the storm until noon be-
fore the trees were properly cut. trim
med, cleaned and set IN In H." hall.
room ready for the decorations and
gifts. The ladies' had the decorations
O., .b,,1, t,t N(arri,rofhor forr1 fboro
was no rest for the weary. He bal
anced himself perilously by the hou.
on the top Of stepladders. which sway
ed and creaked ominously under his
weight: he climbed stairs to fetch pack
ages from tho billiard room; he search
ed for lost hammers and knelt on mis-
laid tacks until he relegated Christmas
and house parties to the lower regions.
At last the trees were decorated. and
Roy called the party into the music
room to practice Christmas anthems.
Merriwether saw his fellow workers
safely into the music room: then he
dragged himself upstairs for sOlacing
smoke. only to find his fire out and his
chamber checrleSs.
Showing his aching feet into slippers,
he got himself into a smoking jacket,
lit his pipe and descended to the libra
ry The library lay back OF the living
room. far from the music. and 1t con-
tanned an inviting couch, at which
Merriwether had looked longingly, but
had not found time so far to occupy.
He pushed aside the curtains at the
entrance with a broad sweep Of his
hand and stepped within. Then he
stopped abruptly. The couch was occu-
pied. II beg your pardon, Gertrude.
l thought you were singing
Singing she responded GROSSLY.
struggling into sitting posture. why.
I've not a shred Of voice left to sing
with She did not smile. but passed
her hand across her eyes in gesture
which caused great light to break in
OH Merriwether.
You're tiredw he accused in ring
fng voice Of triumph.
She leaned back, resting her head
against the wall "TiredT" she repeat
ed in an intense voice. Pm half dead
with the awful pace Of these two days.
If were a big healthy man now,'
glancinS resentfully at the proportions
of the man before her. IL might be
able to endure everything and yet feel
fresh, but. being a woman and forty
one
Gertrude" interrupted Merriwether
I'm a tone OF solemn joy. "are you forty
one:"
"Of course | am" she responded al
most irritably You know that | am
"Ye-es." he replied vaguely. coming
nearer. but l didn't know that you
knew it,
II have every reason to know it.
the tears were near the surface now
when skating gives me the rheuma-
tism, and dancing the headache. and
that sleigh ride She spread her
hands out in a gesture Of despair. Il
can't endure 1t any longer. I'm going
home tomorrow on the 9:10 train and
-okL IN