Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-12-01


it out. not because they would care,
but only because it was such kinder
sweet secret I didn't want to spite IL
all by having to explain everything"
Reticent Caleb Wren stumbled
through this comforting speech and
was rewarded by seeing his wife's
warm smile as their hands clasped.
81 see" she murmured softly-"I see
how it is with Elvin."
81 wish he could have come out here
just for the day. It's only twenty
miles" Caleb needed little comfort
ing now.
81 reckon he will. pa cried Martha.
when the day comes I'll bet he does
come I'm going to get all ready for
him just the same. What say?"
"All right" smiled Caleb. and with
this enjoyable prospect before them.
although both believed it to be merely
a delusive hope. they went or with
their Christmas preparations.
Christmas morning dawned cold and
clear. Over field and farmhouse and
winding road the snowy blanket was
spread. and the tops Of the pine trees
wore tufts of white. Through the snow
Tue VI lpHCe THIS suOWel
black in the sunlight.
Looks like a picture" murmured
Caleb as he peered from the window.
II guess there's good sleighing," re-
sponded Martha. 81 wouldn't wonder
If Elvin came out in a sleigh"
Caleb said nothing. His heart was
heavy within him. He had missed the
companionship of his only son when
the boy had gone to the city TO work,
but Elvin had been keen to come home
at every opportunity. Sundays and hol-
idays invariably found him arriving on
the first train.
This would be n sad Christmas for
Caleb and his wife. in spite of the
wreaths of green laurel that Martha
had hung in the windows and the pan
try filed with good things to eat.
The dinner was on the table. There
was a place set for Elvin. and Caleb
had just thrust the blade of the cary
ing knife into the brown breast of the
turkey when there came the Jingle of
sleighbells. Caleb paused In his carv-
ing and listened. Martha grew quite
pale.
The bells came nearer. A sleigh was
entering their yard. 1t passed the win
dow, a cutter with two persons.
Martha and Caleb reached the door
together.
HE has Gomez exclaimed Caleb ex-
citedly.
"Of course he has. I expected him."
reproved Martha, for she had faith In
prayer, and she had prayed as only
mother can.
Standing in the doorway, they saw
their handsome son assisting a girl out
of the sleigh. such a sweet faced.
brown eyed. honey looking girl that
Martha's heart warmed to her at once
She felt proud of Elvin. She might
have known that he would choose the
right kind of girl.
Elvin's face was flushed and happy
as he led the girl to his parents.
Mother and father" he said slowly.
this is Miss Winters. She's friend
OF mine, and I invited her out to eat
Christmas dinner with us. You see,
couldn't stay away"
Come right in. dearie," said Martha,
and she bent and kissed the girl. while
Caleb shook her hand warmly.
'T was just carving the turkey" said
Caleb as he set another place at the
table.
I'm afraid you'll think It strange
that came home with your son." said
Miss Winters as she emerged from her
furs. demure slip of girl with whom
Caleb fell in love at once.
Not at all. We're real glad to see
your cried the delighted Martha.
"I1l explain everything at table,"
promised Elvin, and he did.
Miss Winters was an orphan who
boarded in the same house with Elyin
Wren and who by the same fortune =.
worked beside him in the same Office.
He had planned to take her to a hotel
for a Christmas dinner, but as the day
approached he grew TO thinking of the
farm and of his lonely parents SO he
suggested to Dulcie Winters that they
ride out to Fenwick and surprise his
people.
1t was n joyful occasion for both
Martha and Caleb Before them they
saw enacted the same sweet story Of
weakening love that both of them had
in their own youth. Martha
lad mentally planned the wedding be-
'ore they reached the mince pie. and
ia told Caleb afterward that she Just
Knew that when Elvin and Dulcie were
married Elvin would come back TO
he farm and that EIvin's wife and
children would comfort them in their
Id age.
~ don't dast contradict you. Martha"
lie whispered, mot after what you ex-
,ected to happen today and what has
It's been happy Christ
mas. wife"
81 just prayed. Caleb; that's how It
said Martha.