The Ordway new era., 1920-10-01


man who cared enough about you to
risk everything he had in the world
not his valuables in the sense of
money f.. but all his ambitions for
everything: all his dreams; all his
ideals: all his hopes on a Christ
mas gift? What would your
She frowned adorably.
"And .. he's not just little bit
quIxotlc?"
Not at all :. suppose he did II
deliberately. and after a great deal of
thought. Just on the chance that 1t
might please you? When 1t would
either do that-or end their friend
ship?"
She fingered the small package over
aud over.
"Why. should think that If this
:. mythical person were 50 very anx-
ious TO please me he wouldn't take
quite so much risk"
But when I'm the mythical person
myself-that's different. isn't it?'
"Why should 1t beT" She gave him
no opportunity 10 see her face.
you've forgotten great deal. /
| told you once that If you knew all that
I've been all that I've done :.
you might not be so willing to have my
| friendship. anyway"
NO." she said. subdued. 1--WE not
forgotten, but you havel I said that
didn't believe you"
you're holding ii NIL in your hands,"
said Hilliard His expression, as he
gazed at her, was Infinitely yearning;
| but his voice was even and low. II
spent good many hours over this
wondering whether 1t was right
/ for me TO take such u risk On this day,
| above all others and finally, /
thought it out this way; If it pleases
you, 1t ought TO make the day better
vet II II doesn't, II would have
been just as unwelcome to you at any
other time. Understand, I'll never at
tempt to excuse anything -. we're
beyond that. All can do is to walt.
I'm giving you will you open 1t
now, please?"
Her fingers bungled with the knot.
and he made as though to help her.
NO" she said, holding the package
away from him. Il want to open 1t all
myself"
Hilliard, rigid. watched her.
phrase was beating heavily against MS
Consciousness :. one of the Proverbs
something about the bread of de-
| ceit, and ashes -.
The knot gave way; and the tissue
wrapping. falling aside. disclosed an
oblong pasteboard box. Carol lifted
the lid and Hilllard caught his breath.
There were two cabinet photographs !;
uppermost was very excellent like
ness of Hilliard himself. She looked
at lin perplexedly; he was getting out
his fountain pen. His hand was cold,
unsteady.
at lacks something, doesn't it?" he
said, in an undertone. Let me have
1t moment" While she followed
his every movement, he wrote, with
his left hand and somewhat painstak-
ingly, an Inscription and gave back the
picture.
christmas. 1916" she read. with
love from Henry Hilliard." She
flushed hotly.
"Now look |" he said, ignoring her
reaction. THE :. next one" Me-
chanically she took out the second
photograph; it was duplicate of the
picture of Dlcky Morgan on the Doc
tors desk. Her cheeks were suddenly
devoid of color, sne stared fearfully at
him without speaking.
THAT lacks something, too," he said
and his voice was yielding to the tre-
mendous strain upon him. With CON
spicuous care he shifted the pen to
his right hand; held 1t poised for u
moment, gave her smile of ineffable
pathos. closed his teeth hard. IL have
n very useful little trait" he said
I'm ambidextrous." And wrote his
message.
She had the evidence before her
the inlmltable, unmistakable, ornamen-
tai script of another personality
christmas. 19i6-and love from Dick
to Carol"
'The real gift is underneath" he
said. and his diction now was foreign
even to himself. But j.. no. no; &c
on
Her uncertain, exploring fingers had
touched smaller bcx; 1t sprnng opel
In her palm; within, was gorgeously
flashing. sclntillating, living gem, SCI
in platinum. Her hands. unsteady now
as were his own, closed over 1t as
though to guard and shelter 1t. HeI
eyes sought his, and held them-fright
} was meeting fright.
"And in my thought" he said, "art
J all the sweet memories / have of you
: :. and all the fragrance of you (.
J and In the stone there there's 4
story for you to read bigger thar
any book could hold :" She Still
made no answer: she was holding hei