Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1910-12-24

ing from the yellow slip in her hand
'Snowbound VIII arrive late this
/ evening. Don't sit up"
Thoughtful Christopher murmur.
/ ed Dick Mason from the depths of his
/ easy chair
Poor old Cbris-what Iuck!" cried
! Amy, while Alice murmured 10 her
lover, II am so anxious that you
! should meet Christopher. Dick"
Pray, who IS Christopher? Tell me.
] that /. too. may be distraught at his
nonarrival." drawled PenieId, survey
/ ing the love stricken Dick and his be
trothed with some disgust and turning
+ to Amy, who was viewing him with
! unmistakabIe relish.
christopher Browning Is our cous.
H." she replied. with wicked look
at her sister '"The dearest fellow,
Writes, you know"
81 didn't know" murmured Penfcld
apologetically.
We'll. Chris does write for the pa
pers, magazines or anything that will
take the stuff"
! III -m-mr'
j Amy looked ut him from mirth brim
med eyes. She was dressing a doll
for the cooks little niece. and she tied
n pink bow on the taken curis 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.. Penfield, for the way is long and
the night is stormy"
Penheld 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 ash
carelesSly whom the picture represent
ed. Didn't he know?
When they reached the front door
Amy ran back To the library. and he
I 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 Penfeld barred his head
to the cold fresh air and endeavored to
thrust aside the burden that lay heayi-
ly upon his heart.
"Such an ideal Christmas ever said
Amy. When / was little girl
+ "Oh. WHEN" interrupted Jack
mockinCly.
WHEN was little girl" insisted
Amy Screnely. II used TO believe that
something wonderful must happen on
/ Christmas eve | would watch at tn"
window and look for a messenger To
arrive with marvellous news or expect
that long lost uncle would appear
and shower gifts upon us. But it never
happened Nothing wonderful ever
does happen 10 me-" she added. with a
sigh that was mutlled In mist of lily
ing takrS
Thine 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 10 cling to him. he
added: Come, a race to the corner!'
They reached it laughing and breath
less.
Later. when they had returned and
We're sitting before the fire, each wait
Ing for the other to make a bedtime
f,..t. ro,,,url-aH Ia
when do you expect MIR. Browning
TO arrive
Amy giggIcd, Dick looked amused,
and Alice and her mother exchanged
glanccs of distress
"Oh, any time before midnight,
suppose, replied Alice, with evident
consraiut we will not sit up-the
arrival Of the train is too uncertain.
one Of as viii hear the bell and come
down"
Il was about 10 volunteer TO sit up
and wait for him" said Jack. Il am
in a wakeful mood tonight"
"Really, Mr.. Pendeld,' began Mrs
Latimer anXiOusly. when Amy inter
rupted her eagerly
"Oh. mother, let him sit up II he
wishes TO We can get up and greet
Chris aftervard. but there is no use IL
all Of us sitting here like owls unit
that train comes in. 1t may not arrive
for hours yet. and Peters will be wait
Ing at the station with the sleigh, 80
Chris will be All right"
VERY well, dear. 1t doesn't seen
Iatimer eravely. but you may settl,
that between yourselves"
Perhaps ia better 20 with Peters.
said Dick ~ am ashamed that l die
not think 81 doing so before"
"Oh, Peters has gone" said Mrs. Lat
inner. Il thought Il best for him TO b'
there in case the train should arrive
earlier than expected
ITS not y particularly bad night
Mrs.. IAtimer." said pen6eld reassur