Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1909-12-22

science and give those people a real good
time" she begged
"Why. give them rousing good Christmas
tree. I'll help" Tom offered cheerfully.
Geraldine is sending Christmas box for
the Kensingtons, but don't believe therell be
enough in it to make the tree look real fes-
tive" said Pamela, so we'd better do what
we can at the village"
The tree trimming began that evening with
great gusto. Tom opened Geraldine's Christ
mas box expectantly and out tumbled a lot
of antiQuated toys. half dozen summer hats
stained and crushed beyond repair, some
worn and none too clean waists and two drag
gled, silk-lined skirts. In the bottom of the
box were two baskets Of cheap candy and
cake and few shopworn Christmas cards.
Toms wholesome face had taken on
look of deep disgust He caught up the arm
full Of rumpled finery and flung it violently ON
the glowing Goals of the big fireplace
$50 much for Geraldine's generosity" he
exclaimed in voice that would have made
Geraldine's ears burn furiously, had she
heard it.
At 10 o'clock Tom took his cheerful leave
promising to return by 10 o'clock on Christ.
mas morning.
Tom reappeared promptly at the appointed
hour, with additional packages. which he
stotwed in a corner, for they did not seem de-
signed for the tree.
At 11:30 the jange of sleigh bells an.
in rather tmidy, bewdered by the littleness
and humbleness of the cabin, evidently, but
Tom soon put them at ease.
BY the time dinner was over the guests
were as happy as birds. even to the pale, weak.
looking mother, who glowed with the reflected
happiness of her children.
And the Christmas tree surprise! It was
almost too much to be quietly borne by chill.
dren who had known so very little of Christ
mas lavishness. Laden with gifts they de.
parted all a-quiver with gratitude
1T has been a great SUGGEST" Tom de-
clared when the jangle of sleigh bells had died
away on the icy night air. Zone phase of II
is regrettable, though, and that is the dissat.
isfaction 1t has left in my mind"
What do you mean?" Pamela asked, frank.
ly surprised.
ct has made me feel dissatisfied with m,
bachelor existence. 1t is lonely at best and q
pretty selfish way of living"
SO unmarried men are selfish and IRE
sponsible as well unmarried women ara
they?" unused Pamela. I'm rather glad to
hear that because 1 have SO often been GEN.
sured for selfishness and obstinacy and"
DO you ever think seriously of getting
married, PAM" Tom broke in.
Il haven't for years." was the frank an.
swer.
Il have thought Of It good deal lateiy-
very lately" he declared. significantly "If Won
Coulu MAKE up your MIND to marry me Pam.
ella, we could have many a Christmas like thjs
for we certainly"
Marry you!" Pamela echoed turning h.,
crimsoning face toward the speaker "Whv
never once thought of-not for years. that "a ].
she interrupted herself to say truthfully.
But once you did think of me-" Tom c,,.a
tr1umphantiy. Il wanted you years ago. pa
but now want you great deal more A. Z,
a man knows his mind perfectly. esnec,aI,, a.
1t concerns a woman that he has know "a
cared for all his life" s
Then for the first time the rem.,h..
OF Geraidines expectations surged throcsS
Pameias mind She spoke of 1t in n cone,seA
embarrassed way. whereupon Tom l.u.h.r
ana SAID ne guessed the Clydes would snry1v.
the disappointment. especially as he bad 80
gwen them any grounds for such expect.tso,"
Come. Pam. give me my ansve,. :.
urged, and don't forget that ths -. ae
called fora Joyous one to me-"
Aunt Sally. listening eagerly n.,,..
nafsnut kitchen door, saw rather thar h -.
what followed. She smiled a h,- ,-. neaid
gratihed smile az she turned bacr e. A.enseiy
grant old pipe. - ner ma
rnank the good Lord. she's sett,.d :.
iast. she exclaimed. gratefully u
Then. after long. deliciou. nr, :.
faithful pipe. she added, triumnbsn.,. - nef
snes done better'n any Of 'em. to- az An
Chr1stmas scapegoat" sns y