Putnam patriot., 1911-12-15


 "oh, Andrew!" his love in speech. but whose every action tells what is affecting him.
 He told her he had spent a pleas ant evening; he thanked her for the little gift; he promised to come again. and he got out and away-and then he realized that he had not given her the present he had meant to hand to her with a few well chosen words which should cause her to fall into his arms and promise to be his forever. Also, he realized that he had not even wished her a merry Christmas in the way he had planned to wish it.
 All the way home he abused him. self for being such q fool Why. any man with a spark of self-contidence, he told himself, would have told the girl what he had in his heart and in his pocket for her-would have made neat but effective little speech Of presentation, and would nave conclud- ed his peroration with her head against his shoulder and her plump white hand in his.
 There came to him a flash of in- spiration.
 Why not play Santa Claus. take the ring to Amabel's home, climb in a side window from the porch, deposit the ring and a note in her stocking? !? This would make her feel that be had planned 1t all as real Christmas sur prise for her. A Christmas gift ard Christmas proposal all at once would certainly appeal to the roman tic side of any girl.
 So he wrote his note, wrapped it about the ring, replaced the ring and the note in the little box. wrapped 1t up, and betook himself to Amabel's s home.
 The porch from which he planned to effect his surreptitious entrance was a side one. He remembered that last summer Amabers father had sad he must have the catch on the window repaired He knew perfectly we'll Amabe's father hadn't done so-- for he knew Amabels father was like all men.
 Through the side yard and over the porch rail he went The window he found unfastened Carefully he raised it and felt his way into the room. To his astonishment he saw a ray of light beneath the door and heard voices in the ldioining room-where the stockings were to be hung
 Well. Amabel," her father was say ing, what did Romeo have to say to- night?"
 The reply was sniff from Amabel, which Andrew interpreted as being a suggestion to her father that he mind his own affairs
 Did you give him the necktie?" Amabel's mother asked.
 Yes"
 Did he like it?"
 He never looked at it."
 Well. I must say! In my time a young man would have shown more gallantry."
 Not a Hillington. mother Mir. Futile said. They never think of what to say until a week later"
 Andrew grated his teeth. This was true, but not pleasant.
 Well, you couldn't expect him to tell how he liked it when he hadn't seen it." Amabel said, stoutly And 1t wouldn't have been polite for him to look lat it risht tspr&-- besides, shouldn't have givan is to him to,- night.
 No" her mother said That made it look as though you expected some thing from him
 Andrew was standing in the dark ness. in the middle Of the room He wished the family would quit talking especially as they were talking of him-and go to bed and allow him to drop his gift into Amabers stocking. He did not dare to move. for fear Of running into some furniture. He hardly dared breathe.
 Suddenly from down street came the clang of gong. Also the chatter of horses hoofs on the frozen high way aud the rumble of wheels. The noise increased as the horses drew near. to subside and cease in front of the house. The Iuttles heard 1t.
 Must be a fire, or the patrol wag- on," Mir. Futile exclaimed, throwing open the room where Andrew stood. Andrew darted behind bookcase just in time MT Futile went through the room to the hall and opened the front door. Mrs. Futile followed him, de- spite Amabels remonstranees that she would catch cold.
 There was the sound of hurried footsteps up the walk.
 Whats the matter?" Mir. Futile asked
 Where is he?" said voice.
 Where's whos"
 "patrolman Jones telephoned that he saw man breaking into your house"
 Andrew shiyered with alarm. This was predieament To be arrested