The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1926-12-16

old aunt, who was Margaret's aunt,
not his, had passed away early In
the year, and at their last meeting
Margaret had told him her aunt's
last expressed wish was that she
should marry her aunt's stepson,
who had been her unencouraged
lover since childhood. He was mid
dle-aged and well-to-do, and Mar
garet had promised to give him her
answer on Christmas Eve.
She really didn't love him, she
confded to Tom, but the man she
thought she loved didn't pay much
attention to her; so she would set
tie her heart and life that Christ
mas Eve.
That was tonight. He'yet had
time perhaps to do this big Christ
nas-giving before his life ended.
Margaret lived and worked In q
dny village not far from the city.
She had no money except what she
earned. Tom felt sure 1t was the
eternal pinching and scraping that
was influencing her to make her
life easier In the only way that
offered. He would give her all he
had. 1t was enough to keep her
from worrying about her imme-
date wants for some time and save
her from sacrificing her soul and
body to a loveless marriage. Per-
haps in the meantime the other
chap might wake up and realize
what a peach of girl Margaret
was.
"What an idiot he must be-" Tom
uttered to himself, mot to grab up
q girl like Margaret when he has
the chance"
Riotous thoughts ran through his
mind as the slow moving train ad-
vanced toward the village. For the
time being his errand and not
what its outcome might be out
weighed the gloom of the impend-
ing doom that hung over his own
life. His thoughts were on an
others trouble rather than his
own. He wondered If perchance
she might already be married. Peo-
pie did such things on Christmas
Eve, and 1t was late fall when he
last talked with Margaret. With
the thought came a Tightening OF
his heart. It was the first warning,
Tom knew.
The train fairly crawled. It was
an hour late. Tom remembered 1t
was always an hour or so late on
Christmas Eve. 1t had been so
every year, he recalled. He was
surprised that he hadn't thought
of that before. In the maze of
his harassed brain he hoped the
deadly odor would not take effect
too soon. He had too much to do
first.
At last the train drew in at the
station. There was no taxi. There
never were taxis at Smithsville;
but other years Margaret had met
him. He stepped out, almost ex-
pecting to see her laughing wei
coming Merry Christmas at him.
He almost felt disappointed, and
again that queer little sensation
about the heart, recalling to him
the Importance of losing no time.
Without reason, from force Of
habit, Tom went directly to the old
house of Margaret's aunt. The
house was in total darkness, but
Tom gave the old-fashioned bell a
vigorous pull and its ring seemed
to solemnly re-echo on the chill
wintry air-not at all like Christ
mas chime came the unsolicited
thought to Tom. The house was
dark; 1t might be empty, but Tom
was going to be sure. Again and
again he pulled down the bell. Ages
seemed to Tom before light APP
peared and big, burly, Peter Kline,
arrayed in night apparel, threw
wide open the door.
SIS some one sick or dying this
night that you raise such hula
baloo at a mans door,"
He lowered the lamp and peered
at Tom.
$50 it's you? I'll be gol-darned.
You're white as sheet. What's
ailin' your Come in! Come in"
He fairly pushed Tom In, bang
ing the door behind them.
All the time Tom had been ask
ing for Margaret, but Peter appar-
entity heard nothing until they
were in the coy living room where
embers still glowed in the old
fashioned fireplace.
SIS it Margaret you're seeking?
Glad enough I am that you've come
to at last. Married to me, did you
say? Certainly not. married the
Widow Stone at Thanksgiving. I'm
not thu sort of man that wants to