Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-11-24

hn own peasant little bedroom.
There was the particular
4 ivory and rose set she had
so much desired. 1t hadn't
been so very expensive, but father
and mother had had to draw aside
TO figure a bit when they found out
her choice. Mary remembered her
breathless suspense during the few
whispered moments. The salesman
had turned his back and pretended
to be busy adjusting another set. Yet
he had dlscreetly remained within
calling. He must have been even
more sure than Mary was that she
would have the set she wanted.
Finally the conference between
mother and father had ended and
there was a smile on mothers face,
though father looked a bit worried.
Mary could hardly believe even after
they had returned home that the
beautiful thing would follow them and
presently be installed in her own room.
But there is was and had remained
five years. In that time many other
lovely things had come to Mary.
Father had seemed to grow increas-
angiy prosperous.
And here it was Thanksgiving, al
most Christmas again OF course
there would be something lovely for
Mary and Bob. her brother. Yes, there
was Bob, thought Mary. Bob had
been sent through college and Mary
had been given term at musical
!, conservatory. Bob. too, had had his
advantages. He was now in a good
position with the firm that father
worked for. And it was all due TO
mother and father that she and Bob
were like this instead OF being like
those little waits that had stared SO
hungrily at her that morning when
her car broke down in a slum district.
Mary got up and walked about the
little rose and ivory bed. What on
earth had got into her, anyway? 1t
was as il new world had been sud
denly opened up to her. She couldn't
take her mind off the thing that had
clutched it so tight.
Perhaps she ought to have a talk
with Bob and tell him about this new
train of thought that had occupied
her hours. They had talked things
over through all the years that had
passed. Bob might suggest something
that they could do for father and
mother, some extra beautiful present
that they could give them Christmas.
Mary felt that something should be
done, something to let father know
how they appreciated him.
At dinner that night Mary saw with
new eyes the snowy cloth and CLEAN.
Ing silver. There was a soft-footed
maid that entered and served them.
There was candlelight, too. casting
its shadows on the faces about the
table. Mary couldn't help wondering
what manner of dinner table those
waits were eating from. Probably
not table at ALL she decided. Per
haps they grabbed what they could
from their brothers and ran like a
hungry kitten.
why are you so quiet, Mary?"
smiled mother after she had cast anx-
ious glances in her daughters direc-
ton.
'Just thinking, mother. 1t is so
close to Christmas was just Won
dering-"
Don't rush things. Mary" said Bob
good naturedly. I'VE haven't had
Thanksgiving yet"
Mary looked at her father then. She
saw that his face was lined by tiny
crows feet and that it dropped. The
last 20 years had been hard on him.
Just think-20 years. Why. he had
xiven his whole life to his family,
thought Mary suddenly. He had
given his life to provide them with
snowy linen and cleaning silver and
candlelight. She must tell Bob that. |
II that wasn't devotion, love. any
thing you wanted to call it! His life |
for their comfort. Mary thought of |
her rose and ivory set, the money |
that father placed to her account |
every month. She thought again of
the little tawdy girl in the crooked
tam and tight skirt. His whole life
to keep her safe and warm in a world |
that was hard on girls.
Mary, you haven't touched your |
lemon cream pie" urged her mother. |
"You aren't ill?'' A note of anxiety
had crept into her voice.
mo, I'm not i'll, mother" said Mary, |
rising. Bob, want to see you a mo-
ment." She turned to her brother.
MAKE it snappy," urged Bob. 1T
have an engagement"
Mary looked back at her father and
mother as they left the dining room.
They sat there smiling at each other
across the shaded candles. Some lit
tie secret of their own, of course
thought Mary.
Back in the music room. where they
used to play as children, Mary tried
to tell Bob what she had been think
: ing.
She told him first about the broken
trolley and described the little peering
hungry faces.
ooh. Mary. you have let this get on
your nerves." began Bob impatiently.
looking at his watch. What has
that got to do with us?"
announced Mary firmly.
Bob looked at her suspiciousfy
''Mary, you're hysterical."
But he stopped at her raised hand
"Bob, you must understand-listen TO
me"
She watched his face as she tried
to tell him something of her feelings
She watched blank amazement, fol-
lowed by understanding.
"And just Think she went on.
"Just think what they have done for
us-why, IL we had had a different
kind of father what would we have
been?"
Bob had caught her arm in a tight
grip, his face strangely drawn. 81
thought there might be something
extra nice that We could get them for
o present." she went on. Something
they would like better than anything
else.''
II know what 1t would be-" he be-
gan eagerly. And we don't need to
wait till Christmas, either-it's so
close to Thanksgiving that we can
juct go to them and say thank you"
But he saw disappointment on
Mary's face. It didn't sound very
beautiful or extra nice" as a present