The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1908-12-17


Il does seem odd she murmured.
With a sudden softening of her clear,
bell tones, that you are Off TO ST
Louis, and / to Clayville which holds
nothing but memories, n your dear
little mother, who was once so precious
to us both. will be sitting watching for
h Christmas dawn. Fate plays such
strange tricks. Why, 1t seems like just
a few months since your mother and
my mother had that joint Christmas
tree"
She was looking steadily out OF the
window. where the snow few by like
n pure, sweet memories she was re-
viving. Her profile was softer than IL
had been In the dining car. Borden
coughed and frowned. He suddenly re-
called the pitiful expression on his
mothers face as he had impaired that
perfunctory kiss on her forehead.
Why must you go to Clayville? It's
an awfully dead place" he asked
harshly.
Mildred turned ON him In amazement.
He was looking straight ahead, and his
Forehead was contracted into q frown.
which did not reflect the thoughts
surging through his brain. The brake
man hurried through the car.
Next stop Syracuse. Change for the
Clayyile and Northern branch!"
Why cant you go back to West
Taunton and spend Christmas with
mother? She'll be deucedly lonesome
and"
why, how absurd"
It's not bsurd We could catch the
noon train back"
"We?" .t
Her face had flushed and sudden an
ger shone in her eyes.
Yes; oh, / say Mildred, I've been
the biggest idiot. 1t isn't all money
fhnYlOh ~ OnNnrka nrnnN1Ax.o1 xf.r a
1t was worth working for he added.
his cautious nature reasserting itself.
But I've lost a lot. Mothers lost
more. / didn't realize 1t until / saw
you. I've hurt her awfully-I knowI
have. Will you SO back with me and
help make 1t up TO herr"
The din OF the rushing train almost
drowned the words. but Mildred caught
them--and more. h saw in his eyes
that which had not been there In h
days OF loves young dream.
The man ahead was gathering up his
bags They were on the outskirts OF
Syracuse.
Mildred, don't say no. I don't de-
serve ,you-but mother does. Come
home to US, and st. Louie may go
hang" ..I.
1t was boyish, but 1t was earnest. She
hesitated, then smiled.
n It's a shame to waste that ticket to
st. Louis, but for the good of your
soul-and your mother-I-am going to
West Taunton"
At Syracuse they sent two wires. q
went to Clayville and conveyed Miss
Mildred Davis Christmas wishes ana
regrets to the house OF Appleby. h
other went to Jim Cartwright, n
read: @
provide Christmas treat for en-
ployes. John Borden"
H. was past midnight when he opened
his own door very softly, m just az
softly summoned the aBtonished Mag
gle. His mothers hearing was slight
ly impaired and her doo was closed.
The two conspiratOrs were safely
shielded In the dining room and they
trimmed the little tree to stand by
the mothers chair. The bewildered
Maggie. too excited to sleep, waited out
in the kitchen to conduct this mysti-
flying visitor to the. guest chamber, and
returned to the attic to inform cook
that these were strange doings for a
well ordered household, but her tones
belied her words.
The next morning Mrs. Borden had
the same dream OF the Christmas angel
only the figure was clad In something
soft I'M blue. The voice which said
Merry Christmas. dear Mrs. Borden
was not angelic, but very firm n
cheerful and womanly. The little
white-haired woman sat straight up I'm
bed, laughing and crying together.
When she could see through her tears
she found her son, lowering I n the
background, looking sheepfsh, but hap
py, and when she reached once more
for the Arm but caressing hands oe
Mildred Davis, she saw that n little
pearl ring was back in it's place. IL
had been Jacks only present to his
promised wife, but that was only be-
cause every jewelry store N town q
been closed on their arrival.