The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1913-12-18


white diamonds falling; 'shone brighter,
Duk IN the dense storm. the 2gtsty air,
- streets were almost deserted and
Ne walks were scantily populated,
Bt. Clause, city missionary, leaned
against o. lanp-post and sighed. The
Wind pelted his SLOUGH hat. His brown
beard was white with the driven snow,
The day had been busy, the week
lad been busy. the year much the
anna On a final errand uptown, away
from the river front OF tenements and
faiils. he felt like pausing to lay aside
hts perpetual smile and to ponder the
ways OF the world. He settled baclS
With his hands thrust deep in the peck
ctr OF his great coat, surveying the
mansions on either side OF the boule-
ward He might be sitting inside, q
Welcome lounger, amid the prepare
lions Tor Christmas. Mill owners and
business men and their households were
his cordial friends and contributors.
But tonight he was not In the MOOD.
Me stood staring at the bright lights
~ the windows and the swift forms
MaOytng: at the darkness of the Gracier
SNsidence most majestice even In Its
gtccm, at the mill owners homes, and
~ the whirl or the snow. Pembertons,
Tauntons, Carrans and Kerns-brokers,
bankers, manufacturers, merchants.
This was one gone OF st. Clauses
world. The other--he sighed again.
The bell OF a passing trolley a rams
and . oma alighted, She carried
3 small bundle only. But as she picked
her way TO the sidewalk. her house key
1sn from her grasp and sank into the
n0w At her outcry of dismay, st.
CAause craned his neck and settled
back with q murmur that sounded like
the ghost OF q smile. '
The woman stopped and fumbled In
vae snow; gazed after the car; walked
trrseolutely to the curbing and hooked
about her. Mt5 .
you here, 81. C1ausel" she said
sharply. rive lost my key!"
The SLOUGH hat nodded silently.
Welt" she exclaimed. You know
very well that the Gracier house is
empty Of servants on Christmas and
khere's no n to let me In. Can you
md that keyf" q .,
Blouch hat shook negatively and
ssout body trembied a bit with amuse-
mot 7. Mrs. Gracierl 1t dropped
above the grating. Didn't you
bear It scr-a-a-pe on the iron as 1t
Gall throughT"
why didn't o tell me7"
II have" ..
ghe drew 3 and peered under his
hat brtm with a look compounded OF
wonder and Indignation.
what ails you tonight, st. Clause?
And OF all nights" she checked her
salt and turned away. T. "
"Of all nights" he repeated. The
Neep. slow, emphatic tones stung her,
why are you out tonight?"
Cant go for a small neces-
Httyf" she queried Grossly, "You-you
AK such Q question! How dare you.
a. Claage?"
-The truth Is, I feel In a dare mood"
10 responded. He shook the snow from
his shoulders and crossed his heavily
sleoyed arms. You always stir the
u some folks makes me feel like lying
down 1on my Job.
-Why don't you lie downright in
me snow 2" &N ft'.r' 49,"
he glanced at the snowy coverIet.
rgomeone may have to-tonight.1
.N~cnsense!" she returned sharply,
md swept the lighted street scene with
ksrtons. the Tauntons-why, a hundred
4poTB would open TO me. But / want
my homeland OF all nights" She
stopped abruptly; but a plaintive
CULVER trembled at the close. Then
che turned upon him passionately.
SYou-you. the city missionary-after
ell the money I've given to your work
keyi And you talk to mo thus-as IL
w were school children again"
Very true" he said quietly. II feel
IKE II tonight, Mrs. Gracier. And you
Know it's in m~e-havinR known me
since the school days gone--to be quite
hnxnaniy cross. You've lost your key.
You want TO 30 home; to a vacant
home-undisturbed by servants, or
eve q husband: to summon all the
@hogts OF the past; sit with them;
think how God robbed you OF your
lAilds n o blest some others am.
You want TO weigh all the misery OF
your soul as a miser counts his gold;
and after q tragic night look out dole
naliy upon d clear sky and sparkling
His frank blue eyes under the arc
nght, were looking steadily into her
sense face. 1t was only their calm
and courage that checked her rising
pAAsion OF tears. n
but tonight--you'va lost your key"
Ae paused and surveyed her rich
knrs; swept the street scene with a
significant gesture and repeated: +
"Tho hotels-the Pembertons-the
Tauntonsi A hundred doors open to
you. But you want-your key!
She wondered why she did not cry
out or faint. But something in his
holiness mastered her. It was neither
sarcasm nor discourtesy. The iron
homes struck with a deep, sorrowfuI re-
proof. They fascinated her.
He looked down at her well-clad feet.
sCome with me. Mrs. Gracier."
He faced the Alley End. She stepped
beside him. But"
n Hush" =. ....
! The strange asperity quickened her
steps.
bending before the whirl OF snow,
they stopped suddenly at the joyful
cutlery OF a child. A slight, gaunt
woman, her shawl drawn closely over
her shoulders and Tapping against her
skirt, stood with q girl OF 10 before a
aHulIo, Mrs. Raffaerli!" cried ST.
Clause cheerily. 'out TO see the
aaHhtsY"' @ ,.@FF @.& 8}2 -.
The woman's eager face was lighted
Nnd her deep eyes shone. "
Yes, yes, Mr.. st. Clause! q Ny girl.
me tink she must see the win
AOws; and I tink It too. bad for
her TO go alone. We been out
nance z O'Clock. Awful cold, awful
ocidi But the peanut man Just keep
% warm. We been most every half
Margarita, the child. lifted her hand,
sassped full Of the peanut mans
hcunty.
That's her Christmasl" cried the
nnother, waving q blessing hand to-
ward the peanut mans shelter. But
che caught 81. Clauses lapel and drew
Aaua rl0aar eEha tink i got nOsgin for