Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1915-12-23
BY A S.

suit to invite the children and all, yet
perhaps next year wei! try a gathering
Oh ali the clans. But just for this yea
-honestly-ISd do awfully wish you't
two last Christmas ~
lie broke off, glancing appealingly al
Ohver himself. To his surprise that
gentleman shifted his pipe TO the cor
her OF his mouth and put "A few per
'.'nent questions to his younger broth
Had he thought it all out? What
,sine should they arrive there? How
early on the day after Christmas
could they get away? Was he positive
they could all crowd into the house
without rouslng and alarming the
pair?
sure thing" Guy declared quickly.
Marletta-well, you know I've had the
SOFT ! of her old heart ever since
L was born, somehow. l talked it all
over with her last year, and I'm solid
with her, all right. She'll work the
game. You see, fathers quite a bit
deaf now"
Father deafo"
Sure. Didn't you know it?"
forgotten. But mother'd near us"
|, NO, she wouldn't. Don't you know
now n trusts everything about the
house to Marietta since she got that
fall ~
Mother get a fall?"
why. yes." Guy stared at his
brother with some Impotence. Don't
you remember she fell down the back
stairs a year g last October. and
hurt her knee"
Certainly. Oliver his wife inter-
posed. Il wrote for you to tell her
now sorry we We're. But 1 supposed
she had entirely recovered"
shes a little bit lame, and always
VIII be-" said Guy, a QUO of re-
proach in his tone. Her knee stiffens
up in the night. and she doesn't get up
ma go prowling about at the least
noise, the way h used to. Marietta
won't let her. So if we make a
Whisper of noise Marietta'n tell he. it's
the cat or something. Good Lord!
yes-lt a be worked all right. The
only thing that worries me is the fear
that can't get you all to take hold
or the scheme. On my word, Ol,"-he
turned quite away from his sisterin-
laws critical gaze and faced his
orother with something like indigna-
tlon In his frank young eyes-"don't
we owe the old home anything but a
present tied up in tissue paper once a
year,"
Marian began to speak. She thought
Guy was exceeding his rights in talk
ing as II they a been at fault. 1t
was not often that elderly people had
SO many children within call-loyal
children who would do anything with
IN reason. But certainly a mar owed
something to his own family. And at
Christmas! Why not carry out this
plan at some other
Her husband abruptly interrupted
her. He took his pipe quite out of his
mouth and spoke decidedly.
Guy, l believe you're right. III be
sorry to desert my own kids, of
course. but l rather think they can
stand 1t for once. If the others fall
into line, you may count on me-"
Guy got away. feeling that the
worst OF his troubles was over. In
his younger sister, Nan, he hoped to
ind an ardent ally and he was not
disappointed. Carolyn-Mrs. Charles
Wetmore-also fell in heartily with
the plan. Ralph, from somewhere in
the far west, wrote that he would get
nome or break a leg. Edison hought
the idea rather a foolish one, but was
persuaded by J%essica, his wife-whom
privately declared a Triumphant
he must go by all means. And SO
they all fell into line. and there re-
manned for Guy only the working out
of the details.
Mis- Fernald"-Marietta Cooley
strove with all the decision of which
n was capable to keep her high
pitched, middle-aged voice in order
49, wv So w bGa L III IlOSL IOC-
getting what l vas to ask you. I
s'pose you'll laugh, but Guy-he wrote
me particular he wanted you and his
father to"-Marietta's rather stern,
thin face took on a curious expression
to hang up your s%tockin's."
Mrs. Fernald paused in the door
way of the bed room opening
from the sitting room downstairs. She
looked back at Marietta with her
gentle smile.
Guy wrote that? % she asked. Then
lit almost looks as If he might be
coming himself, doesn't it. Mariettao %
Well. don't knows I'd really ex-
pect him" Marietta replied, turning her
face away and busying herself about
the hearth. Il guess what he meant
was more in the way Of a surprise for
a Christmas present-something that'Il
go into a stockin'. maybe
IT'S rather odd he should have writ
ten you to ask me-" unused Mrs. Fern
aid. as h looked at the stockings.
Marietta considered rapidly. ssWell,
! s'pose he intended for me to get 'em
on the sly without mentionin' it to you,
ian'put in what he sent, but / sort of
guessed o might like to fall in with
his idee by hangin' EN- up yourself,
here by the chimbley, where the chill
dren all used to do it. Here's the nails,
same as they always was"
Mrs. Fernald found the stockings.
and touched her husband on the Shout
der, as he sat. unlacing his shoes.
Father. Guy wrote he wanted us TO
hang up u stockings" she said.
raising her voice a little and speaking
very distinctly. The elderly man be-
side her looked up. smiling.
We'll. WELL" he said, anything to
please the boy. 1t doesn't seem more
than q year since he was a little fellow
hanging up his own stocking, does it,
mother? p
The stockings were hung in silence.
looked thin and lonely as they
dangled beside the dying fire. Marietta
FASTENED to make them less lonely.
Well" she said, In a shamefaced way,
the silly boy said / was to hang mine,
too. Goodness knows what he'll find
to put into 1t thatIl At. less It's q
poker"
They smiled kindly at her, wished
her good night, and went back into
their own room. The little episode had
aroused no suspicion. 1t was very like
Guys affectionate ~boyishness.
i presume he'll be down. said Mrs.
Fernnld. as she limped quitely about
the room. making ready for bed.
Don't you remember how he sur
'prised us last year? I'm sorry the 9th
ers can't come. OF course, I sent them
All the Invitation, Just as usual shall
alway do that-but 1t ID pretty snowy
weather. anG j suppose they don't quite