White County record., 1922-10-12
TWO DAYS AFTER CHRISTMAS

TWO DAYS AFTER CHRISTMAS
 Another wonderful thing has hap pened. I've had letter from Father from Father "a letter-me!
 It came this morning. Mother brought 1t in to me. She looked queer "a little. There were two red spots In her checks, and her eyes were very bright.
 "I think you have a letter here from your father' she said, handing it out
 l could see she was wondering what could be in it. But 1 guess she wasn't wondering any more than l was, only l was gladder to get 1t than she was, 1 suppose. Anyhow, when she saw how glad l was, and how I jumped for the letter, she drew back, and looked somehow as if she'd been hurt. and said:
 T did not know, Marie that letter | from-your father would mean so much to you"
 l don't know what I did say to that. l guess l didn't say anything. I'd al- ready begun to read the letter, and I was In such a hurry to find out what he'd said.
 I'll copy 1t here. It wasn't long. It was like this:
 My Dear Mary:
 Some way Christmas has made me think of you. I wish I had sent you some gift. Yet have not the slightest idea what would please you To tell the truth, I tried to find something but had to give it up.
 Il am wondering if you had a good time, and what you did. After all, I'm pretty sure you did have a good time, for you are Marie now. You see I have not forgotten how tired you got of being-Mary Well, well, do not know as l can blame you.
 And now that I have asked what you did for Christmas, I suspect it is no more than fair turnabout to tell you what did. I suppose I had a very good time. Your Aunt Jane says I did. 1 heard her telling one of the neighbors that last night. She had a very fine dinner, and she invited Mrs. Darling and Miss Snow and Miss San born to eat 1t with us. She said she didn't want me fo feel lonesome. But you can feel real lonesome in a crowd sometimes. Did you know that, Mary? !?
 "But I left them to their chatter aft CT dinner and went out to the observa- tory. I think I must have fallen asleep on the couch there, for it was quite dark when I awoke. But didn't mind that, for there were some observations 1 wanted to take. It was a beautifully clear night, so I stayed there till near ly morning.
 How about it? I suppose Marie plays the piano every day, now, doesn't she? The piano here hasn't been touched since you went away. Oh, yes it was touched once Your aunt played hymns on it for a missionary meeting.
 "Well. what did you do Christmas? Suppose you write and tell
 "Your Father"
 I'd been reading the letter out loud, and when l got through Mother was pacing up and down the room. For minute she didn't say anything; then she whirled round suddenly and faced me- and said, just as if something in- side of her was making her say it:
 q notice there Is no mention of your mother in that letter, Marie. 1 suppOse-your father has quite forgot ten that there is such a person in the world as---I."
 But I told her no, oh, no, and that I was sure he remembered her, for he used to ask me questions often about what she did, and the violinist and all.
 "The violinist !" cried Mother, whirl- ing around on me again. (She'd be- gun to walk up and down once more) "You don't mean to say you ever told your father about him p
 "Oh, mo- not everything" I explained, trying to show how patient I was, so she would. be patient. too Gut 1t didn't work.) "I couldn't tell him everything because everything hadn't happened then. But I told about his being here, and about the others too; but. of course, I said I didn't know which you'd take, and"
 You told him you didn't know which I'd take!" gAsped Mother.
 (TO BE CONTINUED)