The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1910-12-17


think she's downstairS.H GarrfaOn
went to the door and called his sisters
name. Receiving no response. he r.
turned
-Her door was open. bat abe didn't
answer. 90 abe isn't upstairs. Shall We
20 nowr
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 n she gave
him her hand. but her eyes were
bright. and when she spoke there was
q touch OF Rayety In her voice.
'Slt by the ire. won't your she urg-
ed. you must be nearly frozen
like snow for Christmas. but without
this freezing temperature" She push
ed q chair nearer the fire and then
crossed to a stana where huge roses
were nodding over the edge Of j cut
glass Jar and gathered them In her
armG
How do you always manage TO ind
the most perfect blossoms for me.
CharlesT' the girl asked indIstinctly.
her face hidden In the roses. She rails
Cd her head for an answer. but tire
nan was looking into the IRE. She
moved the stand nearer him.
II want these close TO Us this even
Ing Don't you think they should be7
Why don't yOu reprove me for being
sentimental. as you always dor Or
are you already under the inhuepce
Of tomorrow and kindly disposed to
ward every one. even met"
"Eveu yea Now, Martha
"Ch. lth. IN take II back II you
lUEi -. l. she FASTENED to say.
az :.i';l. .a IA In tone Of almost ban
n....,.- I..-Ls--.aeSs: My dear. wanted
u i;.' = ..,-rUt some plans for tomor-
-oT,. ~: Hyw can l talk Christmas
when - are In such q solemn statef
You'd disheIrten Santa Claus himself"
i've been thinking" answered Miles
slowly. that perhaps you may have
thought the roses-may have taken
them in a way-may perhaps have mis-
understood them q little" He rose.
took q few steps around the room and
then began again with better courage.
at occurred to me after ] had sent
them that a they would arrive this
evening you might not take them as
~ my gift I must tell you something
that has been troubling me for q long
time. Things are not quite the same
with father and me rs they were when
] hrSt met you Perhaps yOu knew
NJ"
There was q questioning infection
In his last words. The girls face had
paled q little. but just the faintest
smile curved her lips. She was gazing
Steadfastly at the rose jar. on which
her hand rested. nd shs made no an
SWer.
Until Christmas came did not re-
aliza the change In our prospects" be
went on steadily. perhaps ! did not
want to think Of that. but II II does
make q difference. why. then
Martha was looking straight into his
eyes with an expression Of Infinite ten
deFness.
at has made q difference, Charles,
an the difference In the world have
been wondering for weeks what you
would like for q Christmas gin, and
what you have said tonight solves the
problem" There was 4 queer little
catch In her voice. but she went on
bravely. "And I've decided. sweet
heart, to give you that which ] think
yea need most Of all'-her hand erept
TREMENDOUSLY into his-"myself."
Miles stared at her in q daEed fash
ion, and she smiled at him gently.
Il realize now. dear. how selfish !
was to insist on being . June bride
just because my mother and Nell had
been married In June. The family WI
al Be here tomorrow. even Aunt Helen
from Toronto. OF course It WOuld be
such q quiet Wedding-nO nDery, n
giftS-but ! thought that now, when
yOI were in-trOuble. yOa might nsed
DS-And"-
The matter Of fact Miles was alive
- the whole glorious meaning Of Der
words now, and. drawing AsF 20 him.
Ne nurmured brokenly:
Elf need you! Oh. yoa can't Hnesr.
stand how muchF
Ths Christmas chimes were ringing
- Niles left the house. A few mo-
nsnts later Martha steod before the
RS leg In her own room- A half F0S-
ful smile settled about ~ hpa
rAnd I haven't even . nsv. white
noek that Win pa8 fer Q wedding |
arWr she murmuEod
Then she crossed 10 . ,Qnain1 eAeSt |
4 drawers ana drsW foEfh q baIky |
Daekaes lid With blno Efbbona From |
! nest Of Issue paper she unwrapped |
! manS traveIing ST n rieheaf silver. |