Potosi journal. (Potosi, Mo.) 1894-1929, 1921-12-21

windows was not untidy but held
several opened books and many letters
strewn about 4 letter file.
One OF the large arlnchairs 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
lessiy on the floor. and tho tassei OF
which rested upon an open letter Be-
low II. Some one had been reading old
letters and that person was coxily
nestled In the bath robe. His tousled
head Of grey rested on the back of
the chair. lie was sleeping and Ger.
tainly WAS having the happies, OF
dreams for a smile took possession Ct
his face The flames Joined In the
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.
"No. no. Helen" said the man with.
out opening his eyes. Il am too old to
dance and romp."
Helen? Whom are you talking Off
! 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 ahou, before he
reGa!ned all consciousness and his
arms and legs ached from their
crarnped position. II guess I've been
dreaming. Molly. II seems as though
rd been ssleep for = whole year. Molly
dear. why didn't you call me, Ny
stock must be fed and It's way past
feeding time now"
DO not worry about your stock.
George. II has oil been taken care Of.
John ugiow came over this afternoon
and We talked about cur Chris,mases
when our boys were small When Il
began to grow dusk. he said that ]
shouid not disturb you ana that he
would feed the stock
well. Molly. 70 you and John talked
over the Chr1stmRses We had with our
little boys" said MIR. Bohnens,ock
sinking back into his chair and beck.
cnlnE his wife 10 sit on the arm Of II.
II am glad 10 see that others miss
Those beautiful holidays and the whole
month before. when the air was full
of mysser,es.-
''Oh. George. now I know what you
were talking of when l came to wake
jon" Molly said. running .er fingers
through his tousied hair. Tell me
about II"
u wss reading some of the letters
from Henry, Tor I'd been thinking OF
him ali day" began her husband.
1.-THE las, letter I read was the one
Ne got from him las, year just before
Christmas. In which he told It's how he |
and Jane were planning Christmas for
the youngsters. and how be- hoped tina,
smother year he would he home with
us sat here recalling the many
Chrisi,nAs4@ you and had planned
for our ch,ldren Molly. do you ~
member the year We had the ueiow
boys over for Christmas ever" he az.
citetily continued. half rising from his
chair rs the happy past came back to
bis mind Ia ju,Hbied snatrhes. Il can
400 them now. the four boys and two
gtrls sitting around this very steve.
telling the Christmas stories which
they had learned In school. Then, how
their scycs bulgesi and their mouths
opened when Santa c~me Into the
rc.n. The chiidrrn danced with giee,
bu, the girls were n HI, timid. The
bays. however. were r-al chummy and
asked Santa many embarrassing quea-
ions about his trtvA. !
All this he said slowly. pausinR now .
md then ~ that he could tive II over
gain. He looked up Into M.'ily's face. !
or she had been very quiet. aud there
~ saw big tear drops rolling slowly
Town her thin cheeks which now
lhoweti q delicate pink hush.
"Weil. well. Molly began her hus-
and.