Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1921-12-23

windows was not untidy but held
several opened books and many letters
strewn about a letter file.
One of the large armchalrs stood
in front of the massive coal stove in |
which the blue flames danced like lit |
tie elves upon the red Goals, defying
heartily the bowling wind outside.
Some one seemed to have been pres
ent recently. The chair held bath
robe. the cord Of which dangled care
lessly on the floor, and the tassel Of
which rested upon an open letter be-
low 1t. Some one had been reading old
letters and that person was cozily
nestled In the bath robe. His tousled
head Of grey rested on the back Of
the chair He was sleeping and GER
tainly was having the happiest of
dreams for smile took possession of
his face. The flames Joined in thu
happy mood by dancing higher and
faster. Even peaceful and happy
hours have endings. Mrs. Bohnenstock
had come quietly into the room and
gently shook her husband.
mo, no. Helen" said the man with.
out opening his eyes, II am too old to
dance and romp."
Helen? Whom are you talking Oft
l do believe you have been dreaming"
answered his wife.
At the sound of her voice, he was
entirely awakened and arose from the
chair. He staggered about before he
regained all consciousness and his
arms and legs ached from their
cramped position. II guess I've been
dreaming, Molly. it seems as though
I'd been asleep for whole year. Molly
dear. why didn't you call me? My
stock must be fed and It's way past
feeding time now"
do not worry about your stock,
George. 1t has all been taken care Of
and we talked about our Christmases
when our boys were small. When 1t
began to grow dusk, he said that
should not disturb you and that he
would feed the stock"
"Well, Molly. so you and John talked
over the Christmases we had with our
, little boys" said Mr. BohnenstOck
sinking back into his chair and beck
oning his wife to sit on the arm of 1t.
" am glad to see that others miss
those beautiful holidays and the whole
month before, when the air was full
of mysteries"
"Oh, George. now l know what you
| ne Z 70 1yu
you," Molly said. running Ter fingers
through his tousled hair. TELL me
about It."
81 was reading some of the letters
from Henry, for I'd been thinking OF
him all day" began her husband
1.-THE last letter read was the one
we got from him last year just before
Christmas. In which he told us how he
, and Jane were planning Christmas for
the youngsters. and how he hoped tina,
another year he would be home with
us. sat here recalling the many
Christmases you and l had planned
for our children. Molly, do you ne
member the year we had the Uglow
boys over for Christmas ever he ex
citedly continued. half rising from hi.
chair AZ the happy past came back {,
his mind In jumbled snatches. II car
see them now. the four boys and tw,
. girls sitting around this very stove
} telling the Christmas stories which
/ they had learned In school. Then, how
their eyes bulged and their mouths
: opened when Santa came into tn,
!. room. The children danced with glee
but the girls were n bit timid. Th
: boys, however. were real chummy an,
]. asked Santa many embarrassing ques
e lions about his trips.
All this he said slowly, pausing nov
and then so that he could live 1t owe
! k;aln. He looked up into Molly's fac,
:, Tor she had been very quiet. and Their
he saw big tear drops rolling slowl
' down her thin cheeks which no,
: showed delicate pink flush.
I'll "Well. well, Molly" began her hu.