The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-12-25
A CHRISTMAS REUNION.
By Mabel f. Bligh.
Copyright, 1922, by Wheeler Syn
dictate, Incl

I
I Copyright, 1922, by Wheeler Syn
dictate, Incl
J Norma was the life of the Of
flee, and her witty remarks and
cheerful disposition kept the other
workers in good spirits.
f! She was the presidents private
secretary. and every time she was
wanted to dictate letter for him,
she always made funny face and,
drawing herself up. would say with
a twinkle in her eye, .'Gir1s, l am
about to solve the riddle of the
sphinx"
Mr.. John Luyfuss was noted for
his silent manner and serious face,
no matter who came from his Of
i flee.
! He was never seen to smile. But
he was also known for his gener-
osity to the poor and needy At
/ the clubs he was called the Silent
Man." To his dearest friends he
never spoke of his younger days.
I, The day before Christmas every
one seemed happy, and each was
thinking of the gifts he had for the
other. Every one of the office
! force had a gift for Norma, and
! when she went to lunch they placed
these on her desk. Then they wait
ed to see her come in and enjoy
her look of surprise.
j But to their disappointment
when she came in she seemed very
iquiet. She went to her desk and
dropped into a chair and, putting
her head on her arms, burst out
crying. This~was a shock to the
girls, and MISS Blaney, the book
keeper, went over and placed her
arms around Norma. "Girlie, tell
me what the matter is. What has
happened?" she asked.
After few minutes she lifted
her head, and between sobs tole
Miss Blaney that when going te
lunch she had lost her locket ant
chain. The locket held all she
loved in this world. and none,
could not buy the picture of he1
dead mother.
Then, burying her head again
she cried as if her heart woult
break.
After a short while she Quietet
, down. AS she opened her Lowell!
gifts she tried hard to show he
friends she appreciated theil
thoughtfulness. and thanked then
all.
+, Going to her locker, she drew
out her remembrances for them
!even to the office boys, and as us
ual, she seemed to know just VIVA
each one wanted.
AS the girls were leaving to g
i home, each wished the other ~
Merry Christmas and with pleas
ant thoughts OF tomorrow, the,
went laughingly out of the office
II Norma put her presents away il
her suitcase, as she intended tax
ing the train after work to Caps
God. Her Aunt Fanny had invited
her over the holiday. Strokine
| each gif. with touch of love fol
the giver, she suddenly burst on
Ecrying, oh, mother. mine! can,
| not be happy again. now that
have lost your picture! Finally
| she was her old self again and
closing her bag. said: why, Nor.
ma, what's come over you? i
! Christmas means God, why then
/ Christmas means faith and happi
iness, and I will find my locke
sagain." ~
i When she stepped into the eleI
ivator, Norma heard mans voice
(which sounded familiar to her
CHANGING around slowly, she no
tilted that it was the president
talking to another man. She heart
him say: YES; and if it taxes Z
year to find the owner. l am going
Ito DO it. II also means to me til,
igreatest happiness that man car
receive. =
| She was rather curious wher
she overheard this conversation, q.
his face seemed to hare smile OF
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