The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-12-26
Eoening Story
The Proper Christmas Spirit.
BY H. LOUIS RAYBOLD.

There did not seem to be, however. in
the long list of acquaintance acquired
during his extended bachelorhood, any.
one to whom Philip felt he could ac-
ceptably do good, well blessed with the
desirable things Of life as most of
them were, and wanting in nothing 1t
was in his power to give.
He was, at the moment of these al
truistic urgings, seated at his club.
window gazing out upon the throng
of Christmas shoppers surging past.
Quite suddenly, for his thoughts We're
far from her. a package-laden, mink
stoled young woman reminded him of
Julie Raynham.
It was not Julie, but it might as
we'll have been. For. once started
thinking of her, Philip could not drive
her from his mind, and, indissolubly
associated with her, he thought of
Barry Law, with whom she had quar-
relied on the eve of her engagement,
and of the old Raynham homestead,
which had been placed in his hands
to sell on the death of jules father,
and which was still awaiting pur-
chaser.
ITS Certainly a mystery to me-"
Illuminated Bancroft why Barry, with
all his money and his architects in
stincts never bought the old place.
Presumably, after the break with
Julie, he didn't care for it for him
self, but it could so easily have been
turned into a marketable, fancy-price
estatet' <5 =
Philips thoughts rambled on, tinged
with a sentimental regret that Christ
mas this year would bring to the old
home no relighting of the fires in the
huge fireplace, no re-echOing of thu
laughter which had once rang so mer-
rily in the high eilinged rooms when
L, 4. I
France, were home. and his old friend,
their father. was living.
by George" cried Philip suddenly,
"By George!" And with that eXcla-
nation, he plunged into so deep con-
sideration of the fantastic, good Sa-
maritan scheme he had just conceived
as to bring wrinkles to his brow and
sternness to his lips.
For, impelled by that inward urge
Of helpfulness, he had concocted a
plan to reunite the parted Barry and
Julie. Simple the plan was, and prac-
ticable-if it worked.
In the first place, there was to be a
note to Julie, briefly businesslike:
Dear JulieAI'm thinking of max
ing a last desperate effort at disposing
of the old place for you. If you can
overlook the unfortunate time, will
you run down Christmas afternoon
and discuss a few details regarding it?
| Sincerely yours,
PHILIP BANCROFT"
Secondly. Barry, who lived a bit far
Their away, was to be honored with a
telegram:
tural brain. Meet me, if possible,
Christmas afternoon, Raynham estate.
Careyville P. BANCROFT"
Finally, the project demanded his
own presence at the homestead in the
dual role of chaperon and deus ex
l 60
nutshell, was to bring together in 4
sentimental spot at a season of happi-
ness and goodwill two estranged low
| ers. Philips more or less middle
aged heart thrilled at the prospect.
Christmas day came to Careyville
i in a blur of snow, making all the more
welcome the blazing fires which Phil
! ip had built in every room with a
| reckless disregard of neglected
| flues. and all the more effective the
masses of blue green hemlock with
which he had covered the mantel and
| old-time chests and secretaries.
| True, it wasn't the same as in the
old days, but Philip hoped that to two
people coming in GU of the storm his
! hours of work would afford a cheerful
surprise of warmth and fragrance.
| But it was all of mid-afternoon be-
! fore Philip heard the crunch of
wheels. turning in at the driveway
which heralded the arrival of the
first of his visitors. F'linging wide
the door, he stood with arms out
| stretched to welcome-would it be
Barry or Julie?
1 It was the latter, muffled almost
| beyond recognition in heavy furs, who
lstepped from her closed car and came
| up the snow steps Good old sport,
was Philips mental comment, even
as he greeted her and directed tn :
chauffeur to the kitchen where Philip
| haa E.tf FULLY Ter 0hnnTiYpr
not inebriating refreshment.
| Then he led Julie into the old Twin :
room to one of the two chairs drawn
! up before the fire, and, temporarily,
possessed himself of the other. Watch
/ ing the girl as she loosened her furs,
he was struck by the lovely, almost
serious maturity which had come to
her since he last saw her.
| "What a tremendous amount of
i trouble,you've been tot" she exclaimed
with a glance around.
Yes" said Philip. "but 1 thought
to you and Barry
Barry Julie sat suddenly up
right. Barry can't be coming here!"
"Oh, think So said Philip easily,
who had taken -Barry's silence, as he
1 had jules, for consent. AT least"
At that moment the chauffeur in
terrupted him. boy brought this up
from the village. he said, handed
Philip an unmistakable yellow en-
Vefope, and turned away.
! Philip opened tee telegram, read it
to himself. then with a puzzled ex-
preston, aloud to Julie.
Sorry, old top. Leave for South
Christmas night on honeymoon.
| BARRY"
Didn't you know" asked Julie
Barry is to marry Jane Fraser this
afternoons family wedding"
Philip crumpIed the paper in his
| hand AS he did so the role of chap
! eron> and deus ex machina slippe /
| from his shoulders, but particularly
/ the former And at the same moment
vanished scales from his eyes.
No" he said, a little awkwardly.
ST didn't know 1 had a wild idea
and then, in the tender freight, while
the snow swirled against the window
panes in the gathering dusk outside,
he told her all his foolish little
/ scheme.