Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1920-02-25
mark the minutes from his mental


wastes Of soivay; the road slowly
becoming streets, the buildings
adding height Syracuse'
His feet were on the platform; ne
was hurryins forward. Ahead OF
him and In his excitement he
stumbled heavily there, coming
toward him Carol and the
Doctor, befurred and rosy no
question of the welcome they were
bringing him!
His own initial remarks were
grossly incoherent. There we're no
words to At the situation: perhaps
he did It greater justice by the dis
connected sounds he made. Ana
then he was entering the Doctors
closed car: they were bouncing over
the cobbles Of the lower city; they
were attackeding the grade OF James
street, and he was peerins out in an
ectasy of memory at the houses
whore he had played In boyhood.
SIS.
Two o'clock on time for dn-
rer to the second. A house hanging
with evergreen; Christmas spirit
permeating every nook and Granny;
Christmas odors-not oil Of evergreen
-drifted in tantalizing whiffs TO
meet him.
A JOYOUS interiude; gay process
sion; a hush: a cravely spoken bless
ing-Oh, that Christmas
80
There came a time early In the
evening when Hilliard found himself
alone with Carol. He had a vague
recollection that they had been sent
to look for something a corn
pepper. or some other equally futile
article and for an instant he
marveled at their expecting TO ind
it in the sun parlor, where they had
wandered. But the sun -parlor was
happily unoccupied; and there were
comfortable chairs in it: and some
thing very green and red and sea-
sonable in all the windows; so that
they both delayed probationary, and
exchanged a NUMBER OF highly in
consequential remarks about the de-
corations. Presently without so much
as a transient thought for the corn
pepper they sat down with one ac-
cord. From q distance the Ynurmur OF
cheerful voices in the living room
was an adequate accompaniment to
their thoughts.
billiards head was dropped low
his reverie was SO profound that not
even Carols voice could rouse him
not until she spoke a second time.
az said--a penny for them" she re-
peatcd. amused
oh" billiards awakening was
explosive. why. that's queer
/ was Just thinking about that my
came UP here 10 dinner. You said the
same thing then. Remember it ?"
Yes. indeed. and they were
a wonderful bargain at the price,"
He didn't seem to recall that she had
ever looked so mischievous.
"They are now. then" he said.
Because it's just az it was before
I was thinking about you" Regard
ing her. he was transported anew by
her loveliness. And 1t wasn't only her
external loneliness that he adored, il
was what she had of sympathy. and
kindness. and sweetness of DISPOSE
ton. A very womanly girl she was
not flaming character to
blaze and die. but steady and en-
during soul such as he
Craved
She turned her head away.
II was very angry at you this
morning" she said II thought you'd
forgotten about me entirely"
Hilliard affected alarm. How
could that happenr
Not even so much as a little card
with Merry Christmas on IT," she
said. Father and mother had one
from you. but as for me-" She
opened her hands in emptiness. Il
looked over every one Of them twice.
Hilliard felt his pulses quicken.
Doesn't my coming to you make
up little for IT,
No. I'm afraid It Goesn't-not In
that way I'm still very childish
about Christmas. I have to see it
even if it's only in the tiniest little
remembrances. I'm very much hurt.
I've been telling myself it must be
the postman's fault"
He denied II bravely. TT wasn't
the postman's-it was mine. Be-
cause 1 didn't intend to send YOU
remembrance at ALL intended to
bring it. I planned to give 1t to you
before dinner, but when I was 30
late. and everybody was waiting"
She turned with gratifying quick
ness.
Did you bring it,"
Yes he said. Il brought II. I'm
not quite sure whether you'll like It
or not
I'll like anything you brought"
The pronoun had an infinitesimal
emphasis all to itself.
Hilliard cleared his throat.
When l was young"
Il beg your pardon
He laughed at high pressure and
began over again.
When was young. Mother
Grundy had very small collection
to choose from-books and candy
and flowers. If I'd send YOU anything
by mail, | think I would have had to
obey the rules. My early training
was pretty severe. But I thought il
I brought it myself, perhaps I could
be more original" .
How originate" she asked, with
pretty animation.
His heart was pounding relentless
ly; he had lost the elaborate recital
which he carefully prepared: and it
was gone without trace. He had to
depend on presence of mind.
"Since I couldn't keep to my
schedule, I've been saving it up to
propitious." He rendered her a