Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1913-12-16

LESS.
ed and lonely-whatever the reason
sitting there In her little window.
looking down upon the street, with its
throng Of gay, good natured shoppers.
Ruth did what she had sternly forbid
den herself TO do-she went back ovel
the years which had made such changes
In her life There was her fathers
business disgrace. the loss OF every
thing. followed by his death. Then
came her own beginning In business
In spite OF herself, Ruth smiled to think
OF what her old friends would say
could they know what capable little
business woman necessity had made OF
her. But not one Of them all knew
where she was Not one had traced
her 10 this great city-that Is. except
lack. Jack? As soon as Ruth admit
ted that name into her thoughts. II
dominated all else. II brought back Its
Owner-strOng. manly, inSistent-one OF
the wOn't-take- no-for-an-auSwer kind
Ruth found herself neutrality-suspicious.
Apparently he had II had surely been
as strong us she could make 1t. Ana
he had gone away-and had not come
back. With the many friends who had
ring ND 10 ask how she was and 10
say Merry Christmas" there had been
no Jack-Jack Of the strong face. the
LOYAL heart. the tender eyes and voice
How had she ever let him go:
Some time YOU will want me, Ruth.
he had said. Above the rush and roar
OF the great city Ruth heard the words
again iust as she had heard them ev-
cry day and every night since Jack
had gone away. Il could urge you now
but want you Of your own free VIII.
dear. And you will come some day.
do not even need to ask a PROMISE
know. What Is ours does come 10 U.s.
II we wait | can wait"
That was three years ago. At hrst
Ruth had half expected his return
But be never came Aad he never sent
her a word Ruth was tired OF watch
ing the mails now And her proud HI
lie head told her eager little heart that
II was not fair to call Jack back just
because life was hard and lonely ana
almost unbearable sometimes. So she
totled away until toll became work
work that she enjoyed. She had her
little rooms by herself. her books. her
p,crures. enough 10 eat ana "eaA
What more need any one asR' Nolr
,no-sxcept AT Christmas. At Christ
ms 10 a woman. love Is a necessity
That night. In the middle OF the
darkest hour. Ruth sat up straight IN
bed She was absolutely sure that the
telephone bell over her desk mad JUST
rung All was still. so. after min
ute OF waiting, she lay down again.
launching 10 herself. The telephone
had been so busy all day bringing her
messages that she had heard IL In her
dreams. II could not really have runs
After n little she drowsed or only
% hear its shrlll Jingle again ana
again. II no longer Weakened her bu'
IN her dream she went to the tele-
phone. took down the receiver ana us
toned Out of the darkness and dis
lance a voice spoke-Jack's voice
MARRY Christmas" was its only mes
sage But so strong and clear were
the words that when Ruth hnahy
awoke to u sunny Christmas morn
Ing. she still tingled to their memory
Perhaps when one first awakes, the
heart has more control over one tnan
the head Anyhow. when Ruth SAT up
and looked out OF her window at the
already busy streets far below her. ner
heart was doing the talking.
"Jack Is waiting for you-some-
where" II said. "And he belongs 10
you. Why not claim your own:
After a minute Ruth's heart spoke
again "What II you are poor7 What
II he Is not rich? Can't two work W,
gether better than apart? why MOI
give Jack a Christmas gifti The only
one he wnntsg
Ruth did not give her head time 10
argue with her heart. AS soon as SUI
was dressed she was at the teiepho"e
giving lacks business number. After
she had waited what seemed ions
long time her head did remind her
why. Of course" she said Slow sS,
he win be up country today. sne
was lust about to hang up the receiver
"Walt a minute" cried her heart
Hearts do know things, especially a.
Chriotmao And then
Hello said a big. hearty VOICE ou'
Of the distance.
"oh, Iackr' cried Rutn w.
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