Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1910-12-24

ed DICK Mason from the ueptnS OF us
easy chair.
Poor old Chris-what luck" cried
Amy. while Alice murmured to her
lover. 81 am so anxious that you
should meet Christopher. Dick"
pray, who is Christopher? Tell me,
that /. too. may be distraught at his
nonarrival." drawled Penfeld. survey.
ing the love stricken Dick and his be.
trothed with some disgust and turning
TO Amy. who was viewing him with
unmlstakable relish.
christopher Browning Is our cous.
In" she replied. with n wicked look
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 doll
for the cooks little niece. and she tied
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 10 the village TO leave this
at Mrs. Lees. and you may come. too.
Mr.. Penfield. for the way is long and
the night Is stormy"
Penfield 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
carelcssly whom the picture represent.
ed Didn't he know?
When they reached the front door
Amy ran back 10 the library. and he
heard the rise and fall OF her shrill
girlish voice as she exposiulaicd with
her sister. Ii 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 failing
Wilderness. and Penleld barred his head
TO the cold fresh air and endeavored to
thrust aside the burden that lay heavi.
ly upon his heart.
"Such an ideal Christmas ever said
Amy. when was little girl
"Oh, WHEN" interrupted Jack
mockingly.
"wHEN was little girl" insisted
Amy screnely. II used 10 believe tina,
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 n long lost uncle would appear
and shower gifts upon us. But Il never
happened. Nothing wonderful ever
does happen to me-" she added. with Il
sigh that was mufIied in mist OF fly.
ing flakes.
"Time enough for things 10 happen
when you are grown up. child" jack
said gravely. and then. arousing him.
self from the unpleasant thoughts that,
vampire-like. seemed 20 cling to him. he
added: "Come. A race TO the corner!
They reached II laughing and breath
less.
Later, when they had returned and
were sitting before the IRE. each wait
Ing for the other TO make bedtime
start, Jack remarked lazlly:
"when do you expect Mr.. Browning
to arriyef"
Amy giggied. Dick looked amused
and Alice and her mother exchanged
glances Of distress.
"Oh, any time before midnight.
suppose" replied Alice. with evident
constraint. I'VE will not sit up-ths
arrival OF the train IL too uncertain
One OF us will hear the bell and com,
down"
Il was about 10 volunteer TO sit uI
and wait for him." said Jack. II an
in a wakeful mood tonight"
REALLY, Mr.. Penheld." began Mrs
Latimer anxiously. when Amy inter
rupted her eagerly:
"Oh, mother. let him SIT up II ht
wishes to. We can get up and gree
chris hIteEWdiu, Dut thetc - uo uSc "
all OF us sitting here Ike owls unit
that train comes in. II may not arriv,
for hours yet. and Peters will be wait
ing at the station with the sleigh. $,
Chris will be all right"
"very well. dear II doesn't seen
quite fair TO Chris" remarked Mrs
Iatimer gravely. but you may SETTLE
that between yourselves"
perhaps I'd better go with Peters.
said Dick. Il am ashamed that dls
not think Of doing so before"
"Oh. Peters has gone" said Mrs. Lat
liner. II thought II best for him to b.
there in case the train should arriv,
earlier than expected"
"It's not particularly bad nigh,
Mrs. Latimer." said Peuneld reassur