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

just such fools!" snapped the colonel,
knocking the ashes from his pipe and
filling It with fresh tobacco. "Zounds
how y hcte the word Christmas :"
"The Christ Child's birthday. dad
dyl' peproaChed Vesta Boldly, heap
ing on more logs. "The Christmas
spirit never tarries where there is no
welcomed"
"StOp that drivel about Christmas !"
commanded the colonel, sharply
banging his cane on the hearth, or
I'll leave the house this in-
stant. DO you hear me?" He
ended with an impotent thump Of his
faithful stick.
Vesta rose slowly, and bravely toss
ing back her head. crossed the room
and flung open the door.
Glad to see you, Miss Vesta, and q
merry Christmas" greeted old Joe
Bean cheerily. Told your father to-
day I'd bring you over turkey for
the great feast. Knew yours had all
died off this yesr. and thought it
would help to tell you it's Christmas"
he chuckled with smiling lips that his
enormous beard could not conceal.
Merry Christmas to you. Joe!' re-
turned Vesta. Come right in," she
added with a covert glance in the di.
rection of her father, who was sitting
very erect in his Sleepy Hollow chair.
Mrs. Drake rose and came forward,
hands outstretched nervously.
ut was very kind of you to remem-
Der us, joe" she began, taking tbe
turkey. "Why, what nice fat fellow
he is!" she added appreciatively.
"COrn!fed" chuckled the old man.
"Fattened him on purpose for you"
he answered ingratiatingly.
The colonel nodded indlfTerently.
"Oh. don't say thank you. It's moth.
ing at ALL" deprecated Joe.
Il wasn't going to, Bean, so save
your breath. I'm not keen about either
giving or taking. Every man for him
self, you know. That's my motto. It's
a"
But the insistent sound of the
knocking again drowned the colonel's
words.
Vesta was poking the fire to hide
her embarrassment. Her mother went
to the door
"HOwdy. Aunt Lucy" greeted a
fresh, boyiSh voice.
well of all things, If It isn't Phil
Drake!" cried she in a muffled voice
between the bear hug he pr0ffcrcd
This Is a surprise, my boy. We
thought you were still in France"
Just got back, and no place ever
looked quite so good to me. My train
was delayed down the line, owing to
n wreck no, no one hurt, but
everybody's held up for Christmas. !
lust thought I'd spend mine with my
Crawford relation, so l took Shank :
mare over here. Howdy, uncle, and Q
merry Christmas. Nesta, you're a
brick to keep the home fires burning
for fellow" he added, giving her a
kiss on either cheek.
81 see you got some decorations"
said Vesta proudly, eyelng his crolx de
guerre, "and a full-hedgcd lieutenant
at that"
"Oh, that's nothing"
"MOSt Of us are back for the holi-
days" smiled the young lieutenant
happily I'm disappointed, cf course,
that ] couldn't get home for the great
day. for my last one was spent in the
trenches, and mother was banking on
this one; but wired her I'd he there
between now and tomorrow night If
had toNikc m the way. Hope you've
got turkey and all the fXings,"
1--WE surely have" smiled Vcsta,
"and you shall have the lions share.
You've Joe Bean 10 thank for that.
Come, shake hands with my cousin
Phil. Joe Bean"
Proud to meet an honest-to- good
ness soldier" mumhlcd the old man,
ambling forward. meantime fumbing
with his whiSberS. Sorry | diGn't
have n boy myself"
"ZoundS," muttprcd the colonel !;
wishing ne had boy 10 he killed or