The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1911-02-21


der mother, but she avoided tete-a-
tete hours with him, pleading duty
as her excuse for hurrying away
when he began to question her about
the old friends.
| During the night the snow fell over
everything, and when Philip opened
his eyes and looked out of the long
old-fashioned window by his BED ne
felt that he-and ali the world--had
much to be thankful for. The pure
white blanket with Its sparkling sur
face spread over everything for miles
around and the green of the FIR trees
alone lent color to the picture. The
Roland house stood far away from
neigh bors back In q wonderful Old
garden.
Philip sat before the big cracking
logs when he heard the first sound
of sleigh bells in the distance. He lis
tened intently and the jingle grew
clearer; 1t was coming up the long
driveway. He sat erect. Perhaps 1t
was Helena! Or 1t might be his aunt
and uncle.
In a moment the great front door
swung open and he heard his mother
greet Helena Taylor. He went quick
ly toward the hall and met them In
the archway.
ITS three years today, Philip
Helena was saying when he took her
hand
The time hasn't done much to you
anyway" the young man returned
You can be thankful for that, can't
she, mother?" he asked
Mrs. Roland looked up at the tall
girl and the eyes of both women
filled suddenly with tears. PHILIP
caught his breath sharply. What had
he said? He turned toward the fire
They both followed, his mother witt
her arm about the girl.
Philip" his mother began wher
they stood looking down into the
flames, the years you just spoke O
have done more TOTO Helena thai
you know. She-she-"
Il lost Bob two yearn ago, PHIL
Helena finished.
Il did not tell yoos DEAR" thu
mother began, because " has Away
been my policy to keep everything
but happy news of hons from you
Then, year ago, when Helena cam
to stay with me for week or two
learned something | had never evel
4 dreamed of-that you had once care'
for her."
Philip started as II he would hav
| spoken then he drew himself tc
| gether.
| Later, by common If silent cor
| sent, we decided to wait until tt
day toto let you know. Helena ha
| always been with us on this day, an
| poor Bob, too, when he was here
| Somehow | felt you would rattle
\ have us tell you together, dear" TIL
\ little woman looked up at her big so
! and understood that she had dene th
right thing in his eyes,
The arrival of the other guests pr
cluded the continuance of the int
mate conversation and the trend {
things led them all to gayer channe
% and holiday-making.
lie 1t was not until Uncle Joe an
Aunt Mary had followed their hoste.
to the upper regions lndt Helena al
g. PhAp were alone together.
II told mother yesterday that
r, would finish this year at the academ
take one more cruise and then retul
III to look over any girl she might ha'
picked out for me to marry" Il
OF young man said looking at Helena
y, "A capital idea" she said, gayly.
%, THAT was yesterday" he added.
IL so you said
#. May say further-today-t
night" he asked, earnestly.
Up Helena did not answer; her gave
ed had deserted her.
while | was on apother cruise
he years ago-you slipped away fro
Vo me- | lost you. Suppose this time
Ms choose port duty, homeland 20
VIII you marry me, Helena?"
ee And when she had promised he tc
et her 1t was his first really thankf
~, Thanksgiving since he left home, f,
ma as he explained. he had come hoI
or only to find her and be unable to 2
-er her Nothing else had seemed wor
ar being thankful for, he whispered
her.