The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1914-12-11

| we have not met for recrinina ton"
"You are right. For my part | am
| content to await Franks coming ana
then have the whole affair over with
| forever"
"Yes, forever"
| He drew newspaper from his pock.
| ct and began TO read She took I'D
book. Several minutes OF silence pass
ed when the maid appeared and said:
"Plense. ma am, Mrs Albright mas
| 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 a boy of eleven. the young.
est 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 SO glad you've
come back for Christmas!'
"And we're so glad you're not going
away any more too"
"\Vho told you that?" asked the ia
Their
Uncle Frank
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 II single group.
What have you got for me for
Christmas, mammal
"What bave you got for me for
Christmas. papa?"
81 want hObbyhorse"
81 want a drum
81 want a doll with n wax head and
light. curly hair and eyes that close
when she goes to sleepw
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 a snap Of their fingers
for me are mighty poor substitute
for this"
rn fn CT xrrftk
for Christmas always? Say yes. nam
ma. Say yes. papa
There was a 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 ~
he stood at the doorway looking into
the room at 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"
well. II it is I never did a better
job"
at all came true. Uncle Frank
didn't itT'
"what came true. dear?" asked the
mother.
"why. Uncle Frank told us that n
we could wait till Christmas he prom
Used that we should have you both
home again to stay ever so long
Uncle Frank Is right. sweetheart.
said the father. "Our being away from
you so long ia all papa's fault. and hr
won't ever do so any more. He prom
ises his little boys and girls that"
This statement was received with
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 q bachelors
Christmas all alone by myself. II
had such a home as this you had bet
ter believe wouldn't do anything to
pull 1t down over thy head and over
the heads of a good woman and lot
of innocent children"
Right you are. Frank. But you're
not going to spend your Christmas
alone. You're going to spend 1t right
here In the home you've saved from n
permanent wreck"
The mother said nothing She dared
not trust her voice tn 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. "a
perpd around the room using It for II
horse.
Christine entered and announced din
ner.
"Dinner!' exclaimed Elwood. ~
thought we were brought here for an
other purpose than dinner Can 1t be
true that we are all to dine together
In our own home on Christmas eve
with our own childrenT
And Uncle Frank" put in one OF
the boys.
did you provide the dinner. FrankT'
asked Mrs Elwood ~ thought yon
were rather given to providing essen
tials Of another kind"
IT had nothing to do with providing
4 ..vtI 4 al