The Lynden tribune. [volume] (Lynden, Wash.) 1908-current, 1911-12-14
When
Christmas
Came Back
It Brought With 1t Comfort to
Two Lonely Persons
BY MARTHA BURNkIAM
By MARTHA BURNHAM
Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation, 1911.

~ citation, 1911.
**srs*%<*ss&*sss%esssSp.s.ss.ss.ss,s,ss,s
The snow lay level on the plains.
but. the distant ranges beloved white
against red and purple sunset. Two
horses tracked across the unsullied
whiteness, kicking up the snow in lit
tie sparkling flurries.
"You didn't want to stay all night
Mt the Falls, EbcnY' asked one Of the
riders, with a side glance at the hand
some. sullen face Of his companion.
And get drunk as lord by Christ
mas morning?" returned the other con-
temptuously. II guess I'm pretty des-
perate, Dell. but amt mean and
small enough to do that. I've got
some self respect left"
"So've l." rejoined Dellmore quick
~. "lt's darned lonesome ut the
ranch. and it doesn't seems If 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. 1t
always reminds me of how different
things are than they used to be-"
"You mean when you were a bOy?"
asked Eben Rowe curiously.
Eyes. There was a big family Of
US, and we always had a 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 IL / had to learn
It 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 gruffiy
"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 in
mind whenever thought about that
home. l could see the tree and the
row of stockings stuffed with things
that I-er-we had bought over to the
Falls" Dellmores bronzed cheek red
dened to a deeper tint than the vivid
sunset.
"same here" repeated Eben Rowe
hoarsely.
Suddenly Dellmore threw out his
hand and laughed recklessly. "But
what's the use Of talkingY' he de-
manded. 1T all came to nothing"
''Same here"
Dellmore turned and faced his COM
panion. do you mean that. Eben.
honest? Or are you joshing me?"
MEAN whatY asked the other stead
lily.
'"That you've had oil those expert
ences too? OF course l know about
your being a boy and losing all your
folks same as l did-that's a common
case-but about having dreams of-Of-
a 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 Eben Rowe. his
dark eyes on his companions face
TITS queer, too-us being partners
for two years and knowing so little
about each other Maybe-maybe yours
didn't marry some other feller," he
suggested shamefacedly.
"She did," said Rowe briefly.
well, he couldn't have been a pin
headed schoolteacher from the east"
insisted Dellmore. as II he were jeal-
Gus of his own modification.
HE was" came Rowes astonishing
reply.
They turned startled questioning
eyes upon each other as questions and
answers flew fast.
"Name wasn't Graham" demanded
Dellmore.
1T was"
"Not Abel Graham"
"Thats It."
Eben Rowe's handsome face was
bent downward. When he spoke his
law was set grimly as II to 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 ap-
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 IT II cou-
Die Of cowpunchers get locoed over her.
/ amt a cowpuncher now. but I was
then-it was down Larrabee way-four
years ago." he explained.
Dellmore brushed huge hand across
his forehead. 1T was down Larrabee
way with me, too, only 1t was i've
years ago. When found out she was
engaged to him lit out and came
here"
"Same with me. only 1t happened a
year later. and that's how we happened
20 meet up with each other. Queer,
amt itY" Eben Rowe turned to his
partner as they rode through the gate
into the yard.
The other nodded. "'Tis odd.
s'pose IL we'd talked like this before
we'd have known"
Between the partners the matter or
their mutual love for the same girl was
not again referred to. Each had spoken
confidentially In rare moment engen-
dered by the sunset hour and the fact
that It was Christmas eve, when nafo