The Lubbock avalanche. (Lubbock, Tex.) 1909-1922, 1921-12-16

As the signal dropped, Lionel Cartwright
caught his breath sharply, and strange express
sion crossed his young face He was no coward,
but he was well aware that he had bad half
hour to look forward TO when once the train
reached the platform wherein he was standing
He was thinking now of the old soldier who was
fastening to Manorford as fast as steam could
bring him; speeding homeward in time for
Christmas.
Hello, Lionei-you look as gum as a fu-
neral"
He spun around at the challenge, and his
face frightened momentarily, only to assume a
deeper gloom.
Hello, Marian he responded gruffly,
switching at his boots with the cane he car
ried. Expecting some one?"
Eyes; there's crowd coming for Christmas,
as you might have known if you'd only taken
the trouble to ask Why haven't you been over
lately? You seem to have given us the cold
shoulder entirely of late"
Hadn't the heart to come, and that's fact,
Marian. Felt more like going to deep part of
the river and drowning myself than visiting
even old friends"
The girl-she was barely nineteen, and love-
" with the radiant loneliness OF youth
stretched out an impulsive hand.
I'm sorry, Lionel; I'm beastly sorry. I'd
forgotten that your father didn't know yet.
But it's pity you didn't send him word; II
would have made it easier now.
The lad squared his shoulders resoutely, and
there was flash in his eyes when he replied :
az don't intend to funk it. Marian. II wouldn't
be PLAYING the game to tell him when he was
thousands of miles away, and escape the rag
cling. No, I'm going to face it.
"No." said the girl thoughtfully; mo, II
wouldn't be the square thing to do. I'm glad
you've waited to face it out Lionel.
9TH break the fathers heart" he said SOM
brely. Ever since there's been Cartwright
there's been one holding the Kings commits
sion. Pm the first one to go UNDER and the
old man will be cut up-abominaby
The train was almost at the platform. Sud-
denly the girls hand was laid on the lads arm,
and with a certain timidity in her voice, she
spoke:
Promise me you won't do anything-des--
perate. And if-if-wel we know Colonel
Cartwright is hasty; but-don't go away With
out seeing me, will your
Fright. I'll promise you that. I'd promise
YOU a good deal more" But Marian had turned
away to scan the carriage windows and maybe
his last words were not heard.
The single porter at Manorford was too oc-
cupied with Christmas parcels to sweep the
thick snow from the platform; and Colonel
Cartwright sprang from his well-warmed car
riage into eight inches of chilly snow.
Look after the luggage, Meredith he said
curtly to his man, who was standing like
statue at the door The colonel always prided
himself on maintaining military discipline, no
matter what his environment might be
"Therell be something to meet US, expect.
wired Mr.. Homeland he ought-ah! there
he is"
There was a small crowd on the platform by
now. Marian Moraine was enveloped in clus-
ter of eager guests but, catching sight of the
tall, soldiery figure, she forced her way to
the Colonel's side and held out her hand.
Welcome home, Colonel" she said. "And
the compliments of the season to you"
Eyes, yes many thanks---of course, We'll eat
our Christmas dinner with your father, as
we've always done. Why doesn't that boy
come? What business has he to stand talking
to other people when his fathers newly home
after years absence2"
But it was not Lionel's fault in the least. He
had plunged into a knot of old school chums,
who would not let him 90, despite his protests;
they clustered round him, gripping his hand,
summoning up ancient "reminiscences, clapping
him on the back, telling him he had grown But
he made an extra effort, and ploughed through
them
"Good afternoon, father" he said awkward
ly, holding out hand that trembled in spite of
all his efforts after self-control.
Welcome home. It's good to see you again"
The Colonel climbed aboard and his son
flicked the FESTIVE colt, which promptly sidled
perously into a string of waiting motors
Not until they were we'll out of the station
yard did Colonel Cartwright break the silence
Il expected a wire out at Bona" he said ir-
ritably. IL told you that | should said from
there But when inquired there was no wire
You might have remembered that was anx-
ious TO know the result of the examination"
There wasn't anything TO wire about, sir"
he said in a low voice.
Il don't understand you Good news is al
ways worth WIRE no matter what the ex-
pense."
1T isn't good news The lads face was as
white "a a sheet, and his lips trembled