The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-12-25

staring into the fire: but before he went
to bed he picked up the receiver Of the
telephone and called up Dick Donovan.
night Waterman at the power house.
It seemed to him that. in all the world,
there was only one soul who could IN
6erstand his need.
What did Maggie say?" ne de-
manded of Dick at the other end.
The eager voice came back 'shs
didn't say a word-she tust-kissed me
SIR
There was silence-and then Dirck
Van Cortland said, You lucky fellow.
oh. you lucky fellow
II am that" came the eager voice,
'and your lady,-sir?''
She will tell me-tomorrow-" said
Dirck. Il didn't dare to ask her-to-
night"
'Fwen, sir. I hope I'm not taking a
liberty said the voice of the other
lover. but you know that saying about
a faint hearth"
Dirck laughed. IF things go well.
I'll dance at your wedding"
I'll remember that" came the quick
answer. Dirck rang off and went into
his bedroom. where his man had laid
out his things for the night
Then the telephone rang. Van cort-
land picked up the receiver somewhat
irritably. Some man eager to curry
favor, probably.
But the voice which came back was
not a mans voice-it was Margaret 9.
''Dirck," 1t said, and there was a note
in it which had never been there be-
fore. "Oh, Dirck. you dear"'
Margaret his whisper went forth
to her
How were you inspired to send me
one rose with that message. To my be-
loved? I've been so weighted down
with your favors, Dirck- 1t has seemed
to me that you felt all I wanted was
what your money could buy. I've
wanted to feel that we might give each
other small tokens like any simple
lovers, and you've held me up to the
formalities and the gorgeousness of
great possessions. And that's not what
I want when we are married, Dirck-I
want to forget that there's any money
Il want to live for you-and you for
mel want all the dear simplicity
that is represented by that one rose"
'Oh, girl of mine," his voice shook,
land didn't KNOW didn't known
I'm sending you a kiss across the
wires,'' her voice went on family.
Goodnight. Dirck, dear, goodnight"
Good might, beloved"
The Christmas bells were ringing out
all the wondrous news of peace and
goodwill as Dirck picked up the re-
ceiver and called up Dick Donovan,
night Waterman.
Dick he said, ''how would you like
to come out to my country place and
take the position of caretaker? I'll
give you twenty-five a week, and
there'n be a place for Maggie, if she'll
look after the house. I'm going away
on my wedding trip, Dick-a years
cruise on my yacht"
"Hoorayn' said Dick at the other end
of the line
"And if you don't mind" said Dirck.
"I'm going to send Maggie, tomorrow
morning, the Christmas present Of her
life-Td like to make it a check for
five hundred dollars. And dozen red
roses shall go with it,
mo, you don't" said Dick. "She's
going to wear my one red rose"
Then it shall be a box of the best
candy to be found, and I'll put the
check on top. Good night-a merry
Christmas" and again Dirck rang off.
And in the upper room of a great
house. and in another in the top of a
tall tenement, a Margaret and Mag
gle each kissed u red rose before she
fell asleep to dream of love and happi-
ness.-(Copyright. 1912, by the Mcclure
Newspaper Syndicate.)