News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1910-12-21
copyright 1910. by American Press Asso-
citation.

evening. Don't sit up"
"Thoughtful Christopher" murmur
ed Dick Mason from the depths of his
easy chair.
Poor old Chris-what luck" cried
Amy. while Alice murmured TO heI
lover, Il am so anxious that you
should meet Christopher, Dick"
PRAY, who is Christopher? Tell me,
that 1, too, may be distraught at his
nonarrival." drawled Penfield, survey
ing the love stricken Dick and his be
trothed with some disgust and turning
to Amy, who was viewing him with
unmiStakahe relish
"Christopher Browning is our cous
in" she replied, with Il wicked look
at her sister The dearest fellow.
Writes, you know"
81 didn't know" murmured Penfield
apologetically.
well, Chris does write for the pa
pers, magazines or anything that will
take the stuff"
"H-m-mr'
Amy looked at him from mirth brim-
med eyes She was dressing a doll
for the cooks little niece. and she tied
a pink bow on the faXen curlS and
then admired the effect with audible
satisfaction.
Isn't she too sweet? Now I'm go
ing down to the village to leave this
at Mrs. Lees, and you may come, too.
Mr. pnOfioI1 FOR thn iS, nd
the night is stormy"
Penfeld arose with alacrity. Any
thing was better than sitting before
the CHEEKY fire and staring at the pho
tograph of the girl he loved unwisely
and trying to summon courage to ask
ed. Didn't he know?
When they reached the front door
Amy ran back to the library, and he
heard the rise and fall of her shrill
girlish voice as she eXpostulated with
her sister. 1t was evident that she
gained her point, for when she re-
turned she was smiling and her eyes
were as bright as the snow crystals
sparkling under the radiance from the
wide open door
They plunged into the softly falling
Wilderness. and Pputie|d barred his head
to the cold fresh air and endeavored to
thrust aside the burden that hay htavi-
ly upon his heart.
''Such an ideal Christmas evew said
Amy when was a little girl"-
"Oh. WHEN" Interrupted Jack
mockingIy.
WHEN | was little girl" insisted
Amy serenely. Il used to believe that
something wonderful must happen on
Christmas eve | would watch at the
window and look for a messenger to
arrive with marvellous news or expect
that a long lost uncle would appear
and shower gifts upon us. But it never
happened Nothing wonderful ever
does happen to me-" she added, with a
sigh that was mulIled in a mist of fly
ing flakes. /
Time enough for things to happen
when you are grown up, child" Jack
said gravely, and then. arousing him
self from the unpleasant thoughts that.
VA mpire-like, seemed to cling to him. he
added: Come! \ race to the corner!"
They reached it laughing and breath
less.
Later. when they had returned and
were sitting before the fire. each wait /
ing for the other to make a bedtime
start, Jack remarked lazily:
when do you expect Mr. Browning
TO arriveT
Amy giggled. Dick looked amused.
and Alice and her mother exchanged
chances of distress.
"Oh, any time before midnight, |
replied Alice, with evident
I'VE will not sit up-the
arrival of the train is too uncertain.
One of us will hear the bell and come
down"
Il was about to volunteer to sit up
and wait for him." said Jack. Il am
In wakeful mood tonight"
Really, Mr. Penfeld," began Mrs.
] .atimer anxiously. when Amy inter-
Iupted her eagerly:
"Oh. mother, let him sit up if he
wishes to. We can get up and greet
Chris afterward. but there is no use in
all of US sitting here like owls until
that train comes in. 1t may not arrive
for hours yet, and Peters will be wait
ing at the station with the sleigh so
Chris will be all right"
Very well, dear. 1t doesn't seem
quite fair to Chris" remarked Mrs.
atimer gravely, but you may settle
that between yourselves"
Perhaps I'd better go with Peters,"
aid Dick. IL am ashamed that | did
not think of doing so before"
oh, Peters has gone" said Mrs. Lat
ner. II thought 1t best for him to be
here in case the train should arrive.
iarlier than expected"
Its not a particularly bad night.
Mrs. Laumer." said Penfeld reassur- /