The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1918-11-05

mouse, Win Only ASlla = AVP' NNH =
approve of IT,"
She put down her knitting and ran
her fingers soothingly through his
hair.
"Oh. father, l can't tell you what all
this work, as you call It, all these out
side interests mean To me. they haNe
baen the outlet Of many emotions ana
at the Same time have helped me more
that l can tell you, both in doing Tor
my own self and others. A for help
ing Della keep this house In order II
is a sweet task, and one that keeps
me from thinking of lots OF things
mustn't
Father Silent.
Fathers reply was 10 noisily turn
the page of his paper and settle him
self deeper IN his chair, The click
click Of swiftly moving needles and the
crRckle Of the fire were the only SOUNDS
for awhile. Occasionally father would
glance surreptitlously over his paper at
his wife's placid face. her expression
intent on her work in hand. Finally
he arose and began a systematic pacing
up and down the room. a trick OF his
which usually pressged n serious con
versation. Not looking up from her
knitting, mother waited for him to be"
Mother, little dear, Christmas comes
one week from tomorrow, are
we going to do about IT."
The blow had fallen. With an uncon-
scious STRENGTHENING of her shoulders
she arose and placed her hands on his
arm,
Father, don't you think l have been
trying to plan how we shall keep II,
with all our babies gone? I've racked
my brain all day, wondering If we
couldn't have some children here, to
liven things IN a bit. But somehow
nothing ! have thought OF seems to TT.
l just can't enthuse over 1t, father,
even dread 1t q little, IL
Never mind, dear; vas q brute
to bring It up, and III think of a
way to celebrate this new kind Of n
Christmas my own self. Somehow. l
have left things like that to you for
so long that | never thought could
90 It on my own, But l will toe the
mark, see IL I don't"
At breakfast father announced that
he must go to Kansas city for a few
days, and insisted that mother go along
as far as L~lbertyvllle.
Needs Change.
You need the change, dear, and itn
be q long time before | can spare you
again. We have got to stick together
for Christmas, you know, and l have
TO be at home during the holidays, be-
cause all the men viii be wanting va
cations, After Christmas-well. you
never can be sure With which mys-
FERROUS remark, father hustled away to
tho mill. admonIshing Della to have her
mistress all ready for the noon train,
As they were finishing the last Of
the packing, Della observed with a
shake OF her kerehiefed head
II says 10 Marse John dis mawnin',
says |, l nevah seed de likes OBJ sech
wuk as ole miss kin do about dis
house, l kin tell she amt got all huh
heaht in 1t, but she sho is got Il UNI
eQuenchable sperrit, Lawsy, Lawsy,
honey, l don see how you does It,"
Keeping a brave spirit Is u moth
er's duty, Delta, our wretchedness
we couldn't spread very much Joy II
we we're miserable all the time. You
would do the same if your girls were
boys over yonder."
"Yas'm, l sho would, an I'd be
moughty glad ef dat triflin' Lula OBJ
Delta shook her head vigorously,
* hears de auto, ole miss, CIT n
good res. SOS you kin show de oder
white folks how spunky YOU is when
YOU gifts home"
Bids Flag Adieu.
smilingly mother handed her the
keys, and slipping quickly down the
steps, breathed a good bye to the
brave little flag in the window. As
they passed the yellow cottage. mother
started to say something, but not until
they were on the train did she re-
mark;
''Father, did you notice that the rope
: swing ls twisted, and the honeysuckle
wing 10 growing rank over the porch |
must go over and fix things up a bit
when we get home"
See here, mother, ! draw the line
at your pruning vines and mcnding
swings. Michael and | will attend TO
that, Here we are, nearly to tho
Ward place, and LihertyyIlle is the
next stop, Have a good rest, aud IN
wire you when get home. ! won't
come back this way. Goodbye
Numerous relatives were at the sta
zion, and mother was escorted to her
sisters home and made so comforta-
bly, happy that she unconsciously re-
Taxed and began to rest before she
knew Il. The days were crowded with
simple pleasures and plans for the holi
days, sandwiched In between the hours
devoted to war work. II was Christmas
eve before mother realized that her
visit was over. At noon a wire came
Home at last. Meet you at the
o'clock train"
The brief journey home was passed
In pleasant retrospeCttons and, not a
few musings as to what father was do
ing or had done toward their Christmas
When she did see him through the
&IONAH at Ailp Et"AApAN VAC INAlNtu NI
old boylsh buoyancy In his step, "A smile
on Ills face that she hadn't seen in
many years. He was politely inter.
ssted In her account Of her little visit
but his mine was plainly occupied with
thoughts Of his own. Smiling inward.
III, mother asked not a single question
but blded her time. They were whlrlet
through the busy streets, through good.
natured crowds Of shoppers and family
parties, intent on reaching tho sam,
place at the same time, according L
their concentrated rushing, Final!
Michael stopped the car, and opened
the door.
Extends Welcome.
"welcome home, an a Merry Christ
mas he said With a flourish.
Father alighted, and turning. plcke,
his wife up ard carried her bodily int
the house-but not into the big house
up the eurying brick walk straight int
the little yellow cottage, which wa
lighted from back 10 front. Standing
in the doorway stood Della, her face
solid ivory grin. Behind her, mother
startled gaze took in the dear sittlnj
rcoIn, bathed IN the friendly mellow
light Of her own coai-oll lamp: and IN,
furnishing were identically as they haC
been in those days OF long sgo-crack,
ling logs fathers chair and slippers
her brown work basket. the majolics
vase. n a bowl Of chestnuts and ap.
lies.
'Father-oh. my dear" She oopIt
say DO more. but buried her head a,
his hRgad shoulder. Della crept dis.