Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1911-12-30

When
Christmas
Came Back
II Brought With II Comfort to
Two Lonely Persons
BY MARTHA BURNtiAM
) Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation. 1871.
BY MARTHA BURNHAM

9sss,s'saa as,:,ss,5@ss@sx
The snow lay level ON the plains.
but the distant ranges beloved white
against red and purple sunset. Two
horses tracked across the unsullied
Wilderness. kicking up the snow In lit
lie sparkling furrles.
"You didn't want TO stay all night
at the Falls. Eben?" asked one Of the
riders, with side glance at the hand
some, sullen face of his companion.
"And get drunk as n lord by Christ
mas morning?" returned the other con-
,emptuously. II guess I'm pretty des-
perate. Dell. but l amt mean and
small enough to do that. I've got
some self respect left"
"So've l." reJoined Dellmore quick
~. ITS darned lonesome at tho
ranch. and It doesn't seems II could
sit around all day tomorrer when 9th
er folks are keeping Christmas and
just hear that chink singing around
in that queer Chinese voice OF his. IL
always reminds me of how different
things are than they used to be-
You mean when you were n boyf"
asked Eben Rowe curlously.
"Yes. There was big family Of
us. and we always had ripping old
time. They're all dead now except
me. ] got used to knowing ! was all
alone. but whenever Christmas comes
around 1t seems as II l had to learn
1t all over again. I'm glad when it's
the day after" Dellmore looked away
and his strong. gray eyes winked rap
idly
"Same here" said Eben gruffly.
"Of course I've had dreams OF hav.
ing home some day-getting married
and seeing children around-and I've
always had the idea OF Christmas I'm
mind whenever ! thought about that
home could see the tree and the
row of stockings stuffed with things
that I-er-we had bought over to the
Falls" Dellmore's bronZed cheek red
dened to q deeper tint than the vivid
sunset
Same here" repeated Eben Rowe
hoarsely.
Suddenly Dcllmore threw out his
hand and laughed recklessly. "But
what's the use OF talking?" he de
handed ut all came to nothing"
Same here"
Dellmore turned and faced his COM
panion. DO you mean that. Eben.
honest? Or are you joshing me?"
"Alean WHAT" asked the other stead
lily.
"That you've had all those expert
ences too? or course | know about
your being boy and losing all your
folks same as ] dld-thats common
case but about having dreams of-of-
home and Youngsters and Christ
mas and having It all come to nothing
after ALL
Every word you've said has struck
home to me-" assured Ebcn Rowe. his
dark eyes on his companions face.
"Tts queer. too-us being partners
for two years and knowing so little
about each other. Maybe-maybe yours
didn't marry some other Teller" he
suggested shamefacedly.
"She did" said Rowe briefly.
well. he couldn't have been a pin
headed schoolteacher from the east"
insisted Dcllmore. as II he were jeal-
Gus OF his own modification.
"He was" came ROwe's astonishing
reply.
They turned startled questioning
eyes upon each other as questions and
answers flew fast.
Name wasn't Graham?" demanded
Dellmore.
1T was
mot Abel Graham?"
"That's IT,"
Eben Rowe's handsome face was
bent downward. When he spoke his
jaw was set grimly rs II 10 control
some emotion that would have sway.
"Her name was Lucy Farr." he said
between his teeth.
For a long while after that there
was no sound save the thud OF horses
hoofs and the distant Growing of cocks
from the ranch which they were APP
preaching.
"She wasn't TO blame" blurted Dell
more suddenly. "She never encouraged
me-"
"Me neither" agreed Eben Rowe
heavily. "A girl can't help II II a cou-
pie OF cowpunchers get Iocoed over her.
amt cowpuncher now. but was
then-it was down I.arrabee way-four
years ago" he explained.
Dellmorc brushed huge hand across
his forehead ut was down Larrabee
way with me. too. only II was five
years ago. When | found out she was
engaged TO him III out and came
here"
"Same with me. only 1t happened a
year later. ana that's how we happened
TO meet up with each other. Queer
Is ii