Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1921-12-20


turned the colonel testify, watching
the effect of his words through the
overhanging curtain of his bushy eye
brOwS
"But it doesn't seem at all like
Christmas, Henry. if you don't make
presents" faltered his wife. can't
make it seem right that Nora and the
children are not to be with us. Don't
you think we should let bygones be
bygones and telephone them to come
overF she added timidly.
silence" thundered her husband,
his face as white as his hair from the
pent-up wrath Of his feelings. mora
made her bed, now let her lie In 1t.
She's no daughter of mine to marry
q good-for-nothing scamp Of an artist
without penny to his name. As to
the children, they're as dead TO me us
these up on the hillside yonder!"
From her corner by the fireplace
Vesta eyed her father nervOuSly, as
she Stroked the fur Of NebuChadnez'
zor, NOra's pet cat. How changed he
was, and what had brought 1t all
about? There was no real reason that
she could sec, except her fathers
stubbornness. Don was not bad sort,
and he had made Nora II good huS-
band, providing well for her and the
children. Then there was John Den
ton Ii was just such Il night as this
that he had driven him from the
house.
The young man had made some
laughing remark about their differ
ences in politics to which the colonel
had taken exception. Hot of temper
and bitter of tongue, he had cisp0Sed
Of the matter promptly. John had
asked VcSta to decide whether she
would he ruled by love or fear. She
was but twenty, and to her tilial du'y
was a fetish. There was no alterna-
tive. she told him. She had never
answered one Of his letters, and in
time they had ceased 10 COme. He
had forgotten, Of course. and ii was
as well for both, as her duty lay tn
her parents, now entirely alone.
NcStaS fingers trcmbled as she en-
hroIdered the last dainty fOrget-me-
not on the little pink flannel for No
ra'S newest baby, the one they had
never seen.
The fire was getting low. and she
rose and poked the Goals until they
glowed with new life, then heaped the
andironS with hickory logs. In Il fcw
moments the faint odnr of pungcnt
wood began TO filter through the room,
and as it did so VcSta'S courage rose.
Eve must hang up our stockings to-
night. dearS," she began softly. Lets
just play we are little children again.
I'm sure Santa Claus is coming this
way. Let us be joyful together this
year. at least. for life is so uncertain,
you know. Won't YOU play I'm your
little girl this Christmas, Daddy? she
ended pleadngiy.
ION W l''l' N'Nli' I'l'I lf'l
her father sharply. III you're ever
going to he a woman you should show
some signs of it at thirty. All this
talk about Christmas is nonsense.
nonsense. | tell you. declare I'm
sick oC people spending their last
cent to make show this time of Che
year. and making bid for presents in
exchange for their own"
"Bui the joy Of giving
"Saw old Joe Bean today" he went
on. waving her remarks aside. and
what do you suppose hc had the nerve
10 SLY? lust this. lin bringing YOU =
nice fat turkey tonight. c"lnn"I,' aS
much Us Ia say. wont you have my
present ready for me 10 take back
when I call:' The smart old cndg"r :.
What did you say. faih"r? hope
you didn't hurt his feelings. Joe is
well meaning. and loves 10 Il" for 9TH
erS." excused Mrs. Drake
you know the name Of the place
that is paved with good intentions o!