The Ronan pioneer. [volume] (Ronan, Mont.) 1910-1970, 1914-02-06
81 expect she's mighty nice girl.

Mrs. Dean. Martha leaned forward in
her chair ANA called to her husband.
"Calcb"" she said in strained voice
Eyes. Martha.'
"Did You hear what she said?"
eyes: YOU mean about Elyin?" He
came into the room and sat down be
side her rocking chair.
"Slc said he had Il girl. Isn't If
funny he hasn't said anything about it
to u.s." Her voice trenbled.
Caleb shook his grizzled hald. May
be it seems strange to us tiki he hasn't
said anything. hut again he might feel
hashful about it. Elvin's quiet, you
know"
"Ycs. he is.
81 was like him. know. when I was
counting you. Martha. | was skeered
to death for fear my folks would find
it out. not because they would care,
but only because it was such kinder
sweet secret didn't want to Spite it
all by having to explain everything"
Reticcnt Caleb Wren stumbled
through this comforting speech and
was rewarded by seeing his wife's
warm smile as their hands claspcd
81 see' she murmured softly-"1 see
how ii is with Elvin.''
81 wish he could have come out here
just for the day It's only twenty
miles" Caleb needed Il 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"
".\Il right" smiled Caleb. and with
this enjoyable prospect before them.
although both believed it to be merely
Il delusive hope. they Went Oh with
their Christmas preparations.
Christmas morning dawncd 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
the tops of the fence rails showed
black in he sunlight
CLOCKS like Il picture" mnrmured
Caleb as he pecred from the window.
II guess there's good s!eighing." re-
spondcd Martha. Il wouldn't wonder
IL Elvin came out in n Sleigh
Caleb said nothing. His heart was
heavy within him. He had missed the
companionSllip of his only son when
the boy had gone to the city to work.
but Edwin had been keen to come home
at every opportunity. Sundays and hol
idayS invariably found him arriving on
the first train.
This would he q sad Christmas for
Caleb and his wife. in spite Of the
wrcath> of green laurel that Martha
had hung in the windows and the pan
try filed with good things to eat.
The dinner was Oh the table. There
was Il place set for Edwin. 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
Sleighlnlls. Caleb paused in his cary
ing and listened. Martha grew quite
pnic.
The bells cam" nearer. 4 sleigh WAS
entering their yard. II passed the Win
'toN IL 'HttfI WIN TWO INiSOIlS.
Mnrll nl and Caleb reached the door
together,
"lIr has come" exclaimed Caleb on
itclv.
cor course he has. expected HIM"
reproved Martha. for she had faith in
prayer. and she had prayed as only II
mother can.
Standing in the doorway. they saw
their handsome son assisting Il girl ON,
1T tn" sleigh. such n sweet faced.
brown eyed. honey looking girl that
Martha'S heart warmed to her ut once
She felt proud Of Elvin. She might
have known that I've would choose the
right Kind of girl.
E'Nin's face WAS flushed and happy
us he od tho Girl to his parents
"Muthcr and father" h" said slowly,
this is Miss Winters She's II friend
of mine. and | invited her ont to eat
t'hriStm"S dinner with us You see, !
couldn't stay AWAY"
"Comr RIGHT in. dr1lir" said Martin.
and she bent and kissed the -irl, wIil"
Caleb shook her hand warmly.
al WAS Just cHrNin" the turkey" said
Caleb as he set another place ut the
able.
I'm afraid you'll think it >tran."
chat | came home with your SON" said
Miss Winters ;,S She emerged from her
fur>. :: d"m,lrr Slip Of Il girl With whom
Caleb fell in love ut once.
"Not ut ALL We're real clad to see
YOU cried the delighted Martha
"Ill explain everything mt table"
promised E.lNll. and Inc did.
Miss Winters WIS an orphan who
boarded in the same house with Elyin
Wren and who by the same fortune
worked beside him in he same Office.
He had planned to fake her TO Il hotel
for II Christmas dinner bat rs the day
approached he grew 10 thinking Of the
farm and of his lonely parents. SO he