The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1910-12-24

AA~~~
think she's downstairs Garrison
went to the door and called his sisters
name. Receiving no response, he re
turned.
"Her door was open, but she didn't
answer, so she isn't upstairs. Shall we
60 nowT
At the foot of the stairs they en-
countered Miles, who had just come in.
The three men chatted a moment. Then
young Garrison and GRANGER went out.
Miles thought Martha looked at him
more seriously than usual as she gave
him her hand, but her eyes were
bright, and when she spoke there was
a touch OF gayety in her voice.
"Sit by the fire, won't your" she urg-
ed. You must be nearly frozen. l
Ike snow for Christmas, but without
this freezing temperature" She push
ed a chair nearer the fire and then
crossed to a stand where huge roses
were nodding over the edge Of a cut
glass Jar and gathered them in her
arms.
Glow do you always manage to find
the most perfect blossoms for me.
CharIesr' the girl asked indistinctly.
her face hidden in the roses. She rails
ed her head for an answer. but the
man was looking into the fire. She
moved the stand nearer him.
81 want these close to us this even
Ing. Don't you think they should be?
Why don't you reprove me for being
sentimental. as you always do? Or
are you already under the influence
Of tomorrow and kindly disposed To-
ward every one. even meT
Even you. Now. Martha
~Oh, well, I'll take it back II you
don't Ike it." she FASTENED to say,
ering tenderness: My dear, wanted
% tell you about some plans for tomor-
row, but how can l talk Christmas
when yoC are in such a solemn slater
You'd dishearten Santa Claus himself"
I've been thinking" answered Miles
9AONAgg A-4aA ZOo hoNC
thought the roses-may have taken
them in a way-may perhaps have mis-
understood them a little" He rose,
took a few steps around the room and
then began again with better courage.
cit occurred to me after i had sent
them that as they would arrive this
evening you might not take them as
rs my gift l must tell you something
that has been troubling me for a long
time. Things are not quite the same
with father and me as they were when
I first met you Perhaps you knew
tY
There was a questioning infection
b his last words. The girls face had
paled a little, but Just the faintest
Smile curved her lips. She was gazing
at the rose Jar, on which
her hand rested, and she made no an
ywer.
until Christmas came / did not re-
alize the change In our prospects," he
went on steadily. Perhaps l did not
want to think of that, but II IT does
make a difference. why, then
Martha was looking straight into his
syes with an expression Of infinite ten
ierness.
at has made a difference, Charles,
III the difference In the world have
been wondering for weeks what you
would like for a Christmas gift, and
what you have said tonight solves the
problem" There was a queer little
catch in her voice. but she went on
bravely. "And I've decided, sweet
heart, to give you that which think
you need most Of alr'-her hand crept |
into his-"myself."
Miles stared at her in a daZed fash |
on, and she smiled at him gently.
81 realize now. dear, how selfish /
vas to insist on being a June bride |
lust because my mother and Nell had |
been married In June. The family will |
III be here tomorrow. even Aunt Helen |
rom Toronto. OF course It would be |
Iuch a quiet wedding-no fnery, no
Eifts-but 1 thought that now, when
Iou were in-trouble. You might need |
The matter Of fact Miles was alive |
% the whole glorious meaning Of her |
words now, and, drawing her to him.
Ne murmured brokenly:
III need youi On. you can't under
ItAnd how muchF"
Tha Christmas chimes were ringing
u Miles left the house. A few mo-
neats later Martha stood before the
Cas log in her own room A hah rue