The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1911-12-15


&}SW the circumstances would
I have seemed less of a
&&A@ He had been on his way
to San Francisco to spend Christmas
with his favorite married sister; and
midway, in the most barren desert Of
the country, a bridge had been swept
away by winter gales. His destina-
ton could not possibly be reached I'M
til Christmas was well over.
Wallingford cast glance out over
the wide stretch of rolling plains with
only a few scattered shacks to break
their endless waste; and then he
looked back to his bullying suit case.
The latest and most wonderful toys
he could find in the city shops were
crowded into that bag, for his sisters
only boy. Then, not caring whether
or not highwayman might be looking
in at the window of the parlor car,
he took small box from his waist
coat pocket and looked sorrowfully
at ring from which three exquisite
diamonds. flashed back at him.
Wallingford leaned back in his
chair and in imagination pictured his
sisters joy when slipping that ring
on her finger. He could hear her
scold him for his extravaganza and
char him for having no one else for
whom to buy such baubles. He sighed
and returned it to his pocket much
as he might have cast it to the depths
of the sea; 1t would do him as much
good there as it would in his pocket
under the present circumstances.
Wallingford was reconciled to
Christmas dinner over a lunch coun-
ter when his eye caught the name Of
Yankville. Yankville probably boast
ed near-thousand inhabitant, yet
Yankville also suggested the name of
Everly-Jack EVERY. When Walling-
ford had last heard of Jack EVERY
the latter was located in Yankville.
That was some eighteen months be-
fore, but there was no reason why he
should not be there still.
1t seemed that everyone in Yank-
vile knew the Everly homestead. 1t
was the only one of any proportions
In the village.
The red glow from an open fire
within cheered Wallingford's numbed
faculties as he rang the bell at the
EVERY door.
On the face of her who opened the
door, surprise was the principal ex-
preston. For Wallingford, his six
feet-two encased in a great fur coat
all dangling with glistening snow
beads and his handsome glowing face
looking frankly into her own, was a
surprise for any eyes.
She did not wait for him to explain
his errand but with the matron's priv
ilege of hospitality invited him into
the warmth Of the house.
1T was too cold to stand outside"
she explained and waited for his
question.
II am Bob Waliingford," he began
meeting the easy cordial expression
of her blue eyes. 81 am one of the
belated passengers of the bridge tie
up and decided to run over and see II
Jack Everly would take pity on an
old friend and"
Jack Everly left Yankville,"
smile played about her lips at men
ton of the illustrious village, some
six or seven months ago"
Embarrassment, disappointment and
surprise mingled equally in Walling-
ford's face and did not escape the
eyes of Sylvia Vale. She spoke with
ready tact
Take off that great coat, anyway,
and come into the fireside. It's no
night to be out"
Wallingford followed the slim gray
clad figure In a decidedly chaotic
state of mind. Mingled with his en-
at having walked into
an absolute strangers house, was the
sudden attraction he felt for this girl
with the sun-lit hair. Something-the
perhaps-was making him
feel like a tongue-tied schoolboy. 1t
was most unusual state of mind for
Bob Wallingford.
There was patter of little feet
and tiny boy Of three years threw
into Wallingford's arms.
"Oh-h! Are you Santa Claus?" he
cried gleefully. II heard your sleigh
bells and saw your big fuzzy coat!
isn't he Santa Claus?"
The child's mother would have
spoken but Wallingford's eyes plead
ID for silence.
you young rascal! You caught
Did Sanity this time, didn't you? And
be came especially to find out what
you wanted him to bring down the
''Wallingford! How in the name OF
Ill that's possible did you get here?"
Dick Elkins, an old )ehum Of New
York days, stood in the doorway and
held out glad hand of welcome.
A weight of relief fell from Walling.
lords shoulders. He was no longer a
Itreuger in Q strange house. And did