Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1914-12-24


then have the whole affair over with
forever
Yes. forever"
He drew newspaper from his peck
ct and began to read. She took up
book Several minutes of silence pass
ed. when the maid appeared and said:
"Please. ma'am. Mrs. Albright has
just had a telephone from Mr.. Frank
to say that he can't come for half an
hour He says that to pass the time
you may both see the children. if you
like"
"I'll go to them at once" said Edith.
Mr. Frank said that they were to
be brought in here"
There was no need for further dis
cussion. for a racket was heard on the
landing above. and four youngsters.
the oldest boy of eleven. the young
est a girl of four, came tumbling
downstairs with shouts and whOOpS,
and, rushing into the room, the boys
jumped into their mothers arms. the
girls into their fathers.
"Oh. mamma! We're so glad you've
come back for Christmas"
"Oh. papa! We're 50 glad you've
come back for Christmas!'
And we're SO glad you're not going
away any more too
"Who told you that?" asked the IA
Their
''Uncle Frankv
BY this time the children. in order
that they might caress both parents at
once. had drawn them so near together
that father, mother boys and girls
were mingled in a single group.
What have you got for me for
Christmas. mammal"
what have you got for me for
Christmas. papa?
II want hobbyhorse!"
81 want a drum"
81 want doll with wax head and
light. curly hair and eyes that close
when she goes to sleepv'
These few requests do not express
the din that greeted the parents. They
are merely given to enable the reader
to form some idea of that din.
The father and mother gave each
other meaning look.
Edith" said the former. this is
Franks doing. He has doubtless sur
missed that | have learned that women
who don't care snap Of their fingers
for me are mighty poor substitute
for this
And you're going to stay with us
for Christmas always? Say yes. mann,
ma Say yes. papa"
There was ring at the doorbell.
A panied expression returned to the
faces of the husband and the wife.
Frank was coming with the papers
they were to sign. When he came in
he stood at the doorway looking into
the room ut the scene before him.
Father and mother were in the center.
the children crowding around them.
Frank you rascal" said Luther.
this is your doing.
We'll. if it is never did Il better
job"
ut all came true. Uncle Frank.
didn't it,"
"What came true. dear?' asked the
mother
"Why. Uncle Frank told us that If
we could wait till Christmas he prom
ised that we should have you both
home again to stay ever so long"
"Unce Frank is right. sweetheart"
said the father. Our being away from
you so long is all papa's fault. and be
ID
Uses his little boys and girls that
This statement was received with a
clapping of hands and shower Of
kisses for papa. each child struggling
for place to impart the kiss.
where are you going. Uncle Frank:
called one of the children. seeing that
Frank Elwood was making for the
door,
I'm going to spend bachelors
Christmas all alone by myself. If |
ter believe / wouldn't do anything to
pull it down over my head and over
the heads of good woman and a lot
of innocent children"
Right you are. Frank. But you're
not going to spend your Christmas
alone. You're going to spend it right
here in the home you've saved from a
permanent wreck
The mother said nothing. She dared
not trust her voice to speak She went
to Frank. put her arms around his
neck and kissed him. while one Of the
girls took his hat away from him. and
the youngest boy. Selling his cane, ca
pered around the room using it for Il
horse.
Christine entered and announced din
ner.
Dinner exclaimed ElwoOd. Il
thought we were brought here for an
other purpose than dinner Can it be
true that we are all to dine together
in our own home on Christmas eve
with our own childrenY'
"And Uncle Frank" put in one of
the boys.
Did you provide the dinner. Frank 2"
asked Mrs. Ewood. Il thought yon