South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-03-10
The Birthday Party
By Susan Clagett.

A crunch Of feet upon the hard
snow; a gurclc Of laughter ending
In scream of delight. Blair Hen
derson lifted his head, a smile up
on his lips. lie glanced at his desk
piled high with work. hesitatCd,
turned toward the window. paused
again. then walked across the room,
threw up the sash and leaned out.
At the moment no one was in
sight. then, amid a gale of laughter,
a bobslcd came from the end Of the
house rushing with the heetness of
the wind down the steeply sloping
lawn. Blair counted as the sled
passed. Whore on earth did the
youngster get them ALL" he wonder
ed His gaze followed the children
out of sight then came back 10 a
woman standing near the steps lead
ins mp to the house
She did not turn her head and.
given the opportunity. he watched
her intantly noting the wind
blown hair the brilliant color of
the half-seen cheek. lie was
struck. too, b. the perfect poise OF
his sisters friend who had been
guest in his home for several weeks.
a bsorbed in his work he had
scarcely noticed her before: had
shown her only such courtesy as
was due her as a house guest. meet
ing her only at meal time. and late
iy not then. He had given this no
heed Now, as he watched her. he
idly wondered if she had been away
and had just returned. As the
thought came 10 him she ran
quickly up the steps and into the
hall
An hour later a very tired little
boy crept into his uncle's arms TO
tell OF his wonderful afternoon.
you know. it's my birthday an
NIuvvcr gave me party AN told
me 1 could go out into the by
ways and hedges an gather 'em
ia. I didn't know Just what she
meant. Uncle Blair an l didn't see
no hedges an no by-ways. but I
went out on the street an found
Jimmy who sells papers an blacks
shoes. He's Great-and Jimmy
told me bout the apple boy who
lives way of from here. an we went
for him an he told me of Bobby
Burns lie has only one leg, hut
that didn't make any difference
cause his crutCh walks as fast as
the good leg. An coming back we
met the butchers boy, and / asked
him as nice as / could an when we
sot back Tim was here an cooks
boy and girl
The man laughed. hope your
mother had enough TO eat"
lit was just beautiful There
was ice cream hearts an cakes an
sln'wiches an Ellen told us stories
about -. Valentine. cause I'm d
Valentine baby. Did YOU know that
Uncle Blair2"
HIair the elder drew the boy close.
surely. the most wonderful valen-
tire 1 ever heard of. But who is
Ellen 90"
The boy looked surprised. why
you see her every DAY"
II do? Then perhaps don't
know her by that name. But it
sounds familiar" He thought for
a moment, diving back into old
memories II had a little sweet
heart by that name She was just
aJout as big as you and she sent
me a valentine every year until aft
ter I went 10 college. 1 have one Of
them IN the back OF my watch
where ] can look al it now and
then" lie pulled out his watch
opened ii and gazvd at the picture
within a reminiscent smile. That
was the last one she sent me and I
never heard from her again. 1 am
always looking for her and some
time / hope I viii mud her.
The vounEster lOoNed at the
drawing with interest Ellen
watch has one, too" he said a
big boy gave 1t TO her when she was
little girl Isn't IL funny both of
you've 20; pictures. only hers is lots
prettier. Two little birds. she calls
them love birds kissing eaech other
lots prctuer than those hearts
with a stick running through EN-. q"
The watch closed with a snap
and a look of keen interest crept in
10 the mans eyes.
IL must make the acquaintance
OF this onderful lady who tells
stories and carries love birds about
with her. Where can we find herr"
Elair looked at his uncle IN as
constituent Don't you really, truly
know her. she's been here long
time. she did go away but came
back yesterday. an she's been slidin'
down hin all nornin. You're joi1in'
Uncle Blair"
EDO you mean Miss Fairbanks .
is she ELLEN %"
Blair junior nodded. An now
must 20 an IL certainly is nice 10
have birthday parties SHINING