The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1912-12-12
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When
Christmas
Came Back
1t Brough, With 1t Comfort to
Two Lonely Persons
By MARTHA BURNHAM
Copyright by American Press Asao-
citation, 1911

The snow lay level on the plains.
but the distant ranges beloved white
against red and purple sunset. Two
horses tracked across the unsullied
wilderness. kicking up the snow In lit
tie sparkling furrles.
You didn't want to stay all night
at the Falls, EbenY' asked one Of the
riders. with q 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. 81 guess I'm pretty des-
perate. Dell. but | amt mean ind
small enough to do that I've got
some self respect left
"Sove l." reJoined Delmore quick
ly. Its darned lonesome at the
ranch. and 1t doesn't seems If l could
sit around all day tomorrer when 9th
er folks are keeping Christmas and
just hear that chlnk singing around
In that queer Chinese voice Of his. 1t
always reminds me of how different
things are han they used TO be-"
You mean when you were a boy?'
asked Eben Rowe curiously.
"Yes. There was big family of
us, and we always had a ripping old
time. They're all dead now except
me. l got used to knowing l was all
alone, but whenever Christmas comes
around it seems as If | had to learn
1t 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 gruffly.
"Of course I've had dreams of hav.
ing a home some day-gettlng 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" Dellmore's 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 reckessly. but
what's the use of talkingT he de
manded 1T all came to nothing
Same here"
Dellmore turned aud faced his COM
panion. do you mean that Eben.
honest? Or are you joshing meY'
MEAN what?" asked the other stead
lily.
THAT you've had all those expert
ences too7 OF course | know about
your being a boy and losing all your
folks same as | did-that's common
a home and youngsters and Christ
mas and having 1t 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.
IT'S queer. too-us being partners
for two years and knowing 50 little
about each other. Maybe-maybe yours
didn't marry some other Teller" he
suggested shamefacedly.
"She did," said Rowe briefly.
well. he couldn't have been n pin
headed schoolteacher from the east,
insisted De more. as If 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 few fast.
Name wasn't Graham" demanded
Dellmore
at was"
Not Abel Graham?"
That's It."
Eben Rowe's handsome face was
bent downward. When he spoke his
jaw was set grimly as II TO control
some emotion that would have sway.
Her name was Lucy Farr,' he said
between his teeth.
For 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 1t II cou-
pie OF cowpunchers get locoed over her.
| amt cowpuncher now. but ! was
then--it was down Larrabee way-four
years ago." he explained.
Dellmore brushed huge hand across
his forehead. ut was down Larrabee
way with me. too. only 1t was FIVE
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
to meet up With each other. Queer,
amt itT" Eben Rowe turned to his
partner as they rode through the gate
into the yard.
The other nodded Its odd.
s'pose II we'd talked like this before
we'd have known"
Between the partners the matter OF
their mutunl love for the same girl was
not agnin referred to. Each bad spoken
ronhdentlcliy In a rare moment engen
dered by the sunset hour and the feet
that It was Christmas eve. when hard