Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-12-24

nv ref,ecting that only in story BOOKS
ala ane outstanding fairy princes IKE
John Lathrop care for homely itue
Clnderellas like herself. ,,,u,,
only In her own eyes was G,niy E,raS
homely. To John, as well as TO FREQ.
her sunny hair. her dimpled chin, her
velyet eyes like twin pansies, were oe-
witching.
Rreaking in on Emily's reveries dur.
ING n momentary lull in the frenzy OF
buying, came the shrill voice OF ste,.a
Green from the electrified train de-
partment beyond
IT say, En- see you tomorrow S row, n'gne; gred
shrieked stella, you and your freo'
Emily laughed shortly. NO. thanks
No dancing for mine tomorrow. AFTER
today? I should say not
What will Fred say y,,dSt6 10 sdat rlance ce'f al
Emily. But the latter was saved the
necessity of replying by the ringing OF
the he'll which signified the end OF the
shopping orgy. Another Christmas Eve
was over!
Emily made UP her books, shuffled her
way through the wrecKage oi piaIas paCMs
boxes and wrapping paper and excelsior
which strewed the floor. and put on her
hat and coat Then, with hutter CT
nervousness causing her heart TO pound,
she ioined the throng of chattering girls
on their way out. ru,.
Outside. in the crisp night air. Emily.
relieved that Fred had not pounced upon
her Immediately. as he had a fondness
for doing, drew a deep breath and looked
up at the twinkling stars so coldly re,
mote, II only Fred had been delayed
Rut a sturdy step came up penlnd
ber and swung out to her side. miss
Emily. may l see that you reach nome
safely?" And. glory be, the voice did
not belong to Fred -. ,,. ,..
"Why Mr.. Lathrop" Emilys voice
fairly thrilled her relief
That's me-" he said cheerfuliy, al al
| though I'm just John to some people
and Uncle John to others I'd like to
| call for you tomorrow afternoon and
! take you around to my sisters Ihey
| always have u regular Christmas. They
can, you know, because they've got
| kids"
For a moment. Emily was speechless.
| To see n regular Christmas again Men
| tally, she weighed two pictures against
one another-the noisy dance hall with
It's garish music and harsh-voiceu
crowd-John's sisters home with a
| Christmas tree and toys scattered on
the floor, and children
| Then Emily shivered, and John did
not know It was SILVER Of pure hap
piness. -,
What is it?" he asked gently I
hope that Ferguson person has no prior
|
The look Emily threw him was answer
enough. but before she could speak
John was talking. DO you know" he
said softly, II wanted to be friends with
you Lhe very first time I saw you. In
fact. tried-but Mr.-er-Ferguson
took palms to tell me you were engaged
to him-were wearing his ring"
His ring !" echoed Emily Indignantly.
"My mothers ring The only thing of
| hers l have!'
"YCs," said John. but when tonight
I saw him-er-kiss Miss Green and
cxtroct a promise from her to let him
take her out tomorrow, ] decided the
engagement either must be broken or
ought to be!'
"It can't be either" said Emily sim.
ply, because II never was J"
Then, as the weight of Fred Fergu-
son slipped away forever, isn't Christ
mas wonderful?" she brekthed, lifting
her pansy eyes up to Johns
Next Complete Novelette,
"Sleighbells and Santa Claus"