Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1912-02-08

my AiNu2x9-e ltlS YEAR they were
guests Of the Catiins and Nora at
sBrooAhufsts II sssa - = 80
Christmas eve was the big tines
things HAPPENED so satisfying then.
First, there was The Joy OF arriving;
then the noble dinner and the Christ
mas tree not to mention "The Jinx."
"The Jinx" was the big feature OF
the reunion. It was peculiar insti-
tuition, taking a different form each
year Il might be song, set 70 a
popular air, poom or a satlrlcal
story, or even painting But it al
ways mast he clever and illustrate
tie foibles Of some member OF tho
group.
Nora's secret misgivings p1oved
groundless. She had dreaded tho
coming Of chrintmes eve She feared
the two young men would watch her
foollshly for sign or token.
Delaney Crane heA been elected
to manufacture eThs Jinx, and there
was keen aptleinaiion when dinner
had been cleared away and a brown
paper parcel piaced before him. with
a misch'eyous smile he cut the cords,
stripped pfl the pnDer md pushed The
JIM" forward into public view.
There was an Immediate shout Of
appreciation and laughter. The Jinx"
waa wooden figure about a foot IN
height behntiiuly carved It was q
likeness OK Jack wilmington Ike
ness so patent as % be instantly dis
cernlble, TAara was smile on his
face ard his nanas we're outstretchsd.
Below, suspended ia midair on a
wire al but Invisible. was the falling
vase Of "alra. Alinl0nbucls.'
The little staiue passed from hand
TO hand amidst delighted comment.
"Thats 3pat tho way you looked.
Jacki" cried Tommy Muliane.
REALLY, Delaney, It's splendid
piece o. work said AlFa. Catlin. ad.
mifingly,
'Ita wondor DO hagn't sold Il for
n Thousand dollara'" contributed Wal
lace, and they laugHe1 At Cranes OK.
penso 10 laughed. too, good natured.
~ enough, for BE hssdo DO secret Of
bis determination q secure from art
the last cert Il wopl8 Yield
Nellie Cameron was shy, herself;
she knf the torlurea Of shyness.
None R,f she and Nora aaw The pain
back u Jack WlibIngipus amilb az
10 balanced the maaikin IL bia palm.
REALLY. DeIane abe said. sharp
~. "you put too much emphasls On
unesscD,igls."
"A Daelclesa come - luaauehi,' :
grinnod Crare. Meaning as Ya 7
presumc
'Taee-tt1t'r atsl phat Tgaksl n
would 10 perfectly lovely Bithoit that
old thing tumgiing down there"
why" shouted Crane. The vase 10
It's excuse Tor bclTgl Without that.
you llltle siapls'on ~ wouldn't be a
Jiuxl"
That waa &. thought Nora: ePut.
ting too much emphasis IN unosaen.
tlalal" They we're all doing that; she
had boon doing e until NeilIes IN
splred sentence lighted her path IKE
q lightning aaah.
Delaney Crane was putting too
much emphasis on tho unoaseutial uf
money Shes bad boom putting tod
much emphasis on tho uuessentlal n
Wlthlng,ons olpmsInsgs and uneaGs
She had permitted L 10 blind her to
tho feet that he was kind-hearted.
gsuss6uh sentioman--and that abe
loved him.
ThSmaHlkin came 70 her, amidst
little bnsh Il egreo with you, Mel
lie" sbe smiled Let ua forget tue
uneseenuals"
with deft fngarB sho twisted free
The wire and vase. and tossed them
into tho crate.
Tho statue stood aloue--W Wilmington
at bis best. as lie appeared tonight
as ho appeared always among hia
frlends-digulaed. friendly. and com
paniouahie.