Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1909-12-16

science and give those people real good
time" she begged
"Why, give them a rousing good Christmas
tree. I'll help" Tom offered cheerfully.
Geraldine is sending a Christmas box for
the Kensingtons, but don't believe there1l be
enough in it to make the tree look real fes-
tive" said Pamela, $50 we'd better do what
we can at the village"
The tree trimming began that evening with
great gusto. Tom opened Geraldne'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 a
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 Geraldines generosity" he
exclaimed in a 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 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 1880 the jange of sleigh bells an
nounced the arrival of the guests who trooped
in rather tmdly, 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! 1t 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. "One phase of it
is regrettable though, and that is the dissat-
isfaction it has left in my mind"
What do you mean?" Pamela asked, frank
ly surprised.
ut has made me feel dissatisfied with my
bachelor existence 1t is lonely at best and a
pretty selfish way of living"
so unmarried men are selfish and ire
sponslole as well as unmarried women, are
they?" mused Pamela. I'm rather glad to
hear that because l have often been CEN
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 lately
very lately" he declared, Significantly "If you
could make up your mind to marry me PAM
ella, we could have many Christmas like this
for we certainly"
Marry you!" Pamela echoed turning her
crlmsoning face toward the speaker why I
never once thought of-not for years. that is"
she interrupted herself to say truthfully
But once you did think of me-" Tom cried
trlumphantly. L wanted you years ago. Pam
but now want you great deal more. At 81
man KNOWS his mind perfectly, especially If
1t concerns woman that he has known and
cared for all his life"
Then for the first time the remembrance
OF Geraldines expectations surged through
Pamelas mind She spoke of it in a confused.
embarrassed way whereupon Tom laughed
and said he guessed the Clydes would survive
the disappointment, especially as he had never
given them any grounds for such expectations
Come, Pam, give my answer" he
urged, "and don't forget that the season
called fora joyous to me-"
Aunt Sally, listening eagerly behind the
haf-shut kitchen door, saw rather than heard
what followed. She smiled a big intensely
gratified smile she turned back to her fra-
grant old pipe.
THANK the good Lord, she's settled at
last!" she exclaimed. gratefully.
Then, after long, delicious pull at her
faithful pipe, she added, triumphanty, "An'
she's done better'n any of em, too If she ia
a Christmas scapegoat"