Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1911-12-05

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
ner 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 merry Christmas in the
way he had planned to wish 1t.
All the way home he abused him
self for being such a fool. Why, any
man with a spark of self-confidence,
he told himself, would have told the
girl what he had i'm his heart and in
his pocket for her-would have made
a neat but effective little speech OF
presentation, and would have conclud-
ed his peroration with her head
against his shoulder and her plump
white hand In his.
There came to him a faith of in
spiration.
Why not play Santa Clans, take the
ring to AmabePs home, climb in a
side window from the porch, deposit
the ring and note in her stocking?
This would make her feel that he had
planned it all as a real Christmas sur
prise for her. A Christmas gift and
a Christmas proposal Eli al 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 Amabers
home.
The porch from which he planned
to effect his surreptitious entrance
was side one. He remembered that
last summer AmabePs father had
said he must have the catch on the
window repaired. He knew perfectly
well Amabefs father hadn't done So
for he knew Amabels father was like
all men.
AhiOu6h thS cA0C y al u anu over the
porch rail he vent. The window he
found unfastened. Carefully he raised
it and felt his way into the room. To
his establishment he saw a ray of
light beneath the door and heard
voices in the adjoining room-where
the stockings were to be hung.
We'll, 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?"
Amabers mother asked.
Yes"
Did he like it?"
He never looked at it."
Well, / must sayl In my time a
young man would have shown more
gallantry."
Not a Hillington. mother" Mr..
futile said. They never think CT
what to say until week later"
Andrew grated his teeth. This was
true, but not pleasant.
Well, you couldn't expect him TO
tell how he liked 1t when he hadn't
seen it," Amabel said, stoutly. And
1t wouldn't have been polite Tor him
to look at it right there-besides,
shouldn't have given 1t to him to
night"
NO" her mother said. THAT made
it lcok 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 tc
drop his gift into Amabefs stocking
He did not dare to move, for feaT OF
running into some furniture. be
hardly dared bre.the.
Suddenly from down street came
the clang Of gong. Also the cIattel
OF horses hoofs on the srnyen aIgh
way and the rumble of wheels. The
DSise increased as the horses drew
near, TO subSide and cease in front Of
the house The Tuttles heard II.
Must &c FIRE, or he patrol wag
on" Mr.. TITLE exclaimed. throwing
open the room where Andrew stood
Andrew darted behind q bookcase JUS
in time. Mr.. Tuttls went through tbs
room to the hall and opened the from
door. Mrs. Tuttle followed him. de
spite Amabers remonstrances that shs
would catch cold.
There was the sound OF hurrie<
footsteps ur the walk