The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1923-11-26
THE FOOL
BY Charming Pollock.


upstairs" his eyes dream,ly far
away as he pdffed contcntedly on
pipe. It was simple, unpretentious
room. Its furnishings were CHEEKY
and it was banked with friendly
books.
A faint tapping at the door hardly
stirred him, and before he could turn
Mary Margaret had entered furtive-
". She saw him in the dim light
and hastily hid a package behind her
back.
ooh" she exclaimed. Goodness,
YOU scared me. thought you went
out"
"No", he said, Il came up here to
read q little while before we put our
gifts on the tree. Where's Grubby?
He promised to help"
"Grubby's all swelled up with hiT
new taxicab," she said, little con.
temptuously. "Christmas ewes the
big night in his business, but he says
don't worry-hc'll be here in time for
the sandwiches. Am interruptin'
your rcading?'
"Oh, no." he answered, noting her
obvious efforts to hide her package.
"What have you thcrc?"
"Where?" Her evasion was child
like.
Under your apron :"
: II was gonna surprise you," she
said. "It's your Christmas present.
It amt much-an' didn't want it
on the trce--bcfore everybody l
wanted to give it to you myself.
Open it now"
He did 80, smiling. He held up
picture, its simple significance lost
3 in the blatant colors of cheap
r chrome.
"Mary Margaret"
c :Thc names on the back" she
{ said Z "See-'Mama's Treasure"
ats just what I wanted" he said.
& ,"Is it, honest?" she rcjoiced in de-
light. Lets put it in place Of that
J. one over the mantclpicce. That's an
awful pretty pitcher, but mines got
]. colors in it."
n a.Why not in place of the Venus
o who fell on her nose ?"\he suggested.
r She assented readily and with a4
c air of pride he stood the picture ON
II top of the bookcase.
II can't thank you enough" he
IS said. taking her hand.
b. "You thank me-" she reproachcd.
n. "You that's give me" She lookeH
lc down at her sides where crutches
s. had once stood. They were gone now.
id "Oh, Mr.. Gilchrist!" she started, and
id her eyes filled with tears.
"Now, now," he warned, I'VE
DC mustn't cry on Christmas"
49, fsNt1 IN
L. you're happy?"
as "Try laughing" he said. And she
did. "And if I'm having my Christ
mas now, you must have yours, too.
Suppose you rummagc on the sofa
n, She hurried over and made her
at way through score of packages.
in There was a book for Miss Levinson,
and gifts for dozen others.
nd "This one isn't Marked" she said,
holding it aloft. "Is it minc?"
In "No." he replied, "those are gloves
Gu for Mack. I wanted TO show l APP
We prcciated his bringing back that
in coat"
Finally she found ia large box
he lmarked with her name. She opened
it breathlessly and held up child's
,r- fur set. muff and ncckpiecc IN
i've beaver. f."
"oh, Mr.. Gilchrist," she protested
fccbly. ooh, you oughtnt."n'Shc
rn- tried them on and ran to mirror
"Thcy'rc beautiful" she went on
d. rapturously. They're the beautiful
est furs ever see. I've wanted a
w. set like this always. l never was SO
cal happy before in my life q
The tears started again. but ne
the held up an admonitory finger ano
be they turned to laughter.
in II don't know how to thank you,
she said.
rds Don't try" nc returned.
to She scurried off to show her pres
cnt to her mother. AS she opcnet
ere the door Mr.. Goodkind reached tn
stairway landing and entered. MAJ!
for Margaret turned toward Gilchrls
alarmed, and stood by ready to pro
att tcct him. tsI. = t.tvs
"well-Mr. Goodkind," welcome
Daniel. ~ -
-" MAY come in?" the visitor ask
cd, imeckly. ~fA
the "Of course" Daniel drew up
age chair: :.
ung "Evc only Q moment, jerry ""''
ing for me in the car"
The1 "Iow is Jerry?' Gilchrist inquire
and solicitously. a"'.s u =
Goodkinda was sadly cycling Mar
{ Of Margaret.
Thin II wish you could perform mil
ace. acle on him." he said, disconsosat'
ly. ~.
for >
Play copyrighted. 1922. in tn
yes. United States and England. MOVE
own lied version by special perm'ss'on
ha. the author, and OF brentanes Pu'
and fishers Of the play.