Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-12-26
THE EVENING STORY

mental vision had become properly
adjusted before 10 was TOO late.
m not going to take the dress.
I'd rather lose the dollar deposit"
Che went to the telephone and in.
structed the store concerning her
change Of mind.
Miss Clark vas nice about IL, said
she'd have no trouble selling it. and
that she'd try to hay" me dollar cred.
tied on another pur,h1$e."
MOna's eyes shone as she turned 10
Maize.
I'm going home, Maize. I Just
can't stand not seeing mother and the
children. But before I go I'm going
TO sp"nd every cent Of that dress
money on Christmas gifts must
have been crazy To think of buying for
myself on. Christmas eve"
When she walked up the snowy
street in Rivertown Mona = arms were
filled TO Overlooking with packages
done up in holly paper and tinael nib
bon. Some Of the Christmas spirit
that had been lacking during that
past. dragging week had come 10 her,
and she fairly rushed up the path To
the gray cottage. her eyes hxed On
the scarlet candles in the front win.
dows.
"Oh, mother, I didn't know how
mucn ] loved you until Christmas
time came" she half sobbed. throwing
r packages down 10 receive the rush
OF the shouting children. I'm here
in tine TO gee the tree lighted"
Later Mrs. King gave her git 20
Mona.
Il suppose ! should have brought
something useful, hut / wanted YOU
10 have this" she smiled.
This vas a large bottle of the violet
perfume that Mona had used since
childhood. scent that was connected
with her memories. for Mrs. King had
always used il.
Christmas morning saw Mona with
her goiden-b brown bob brushed until
the hair shone like satin She wore a
brown coat that had been az home 70
save her suit from the heavy snow.
There vas a sprig Of holly AZ her
breast. and the color was no brighter
than that IN her cheeks. She looked
more Centented than she had ever
done In the citv. She was home and
surrounded by love.
Later. wearing huge pink apron,
she Vas bending over the pan TO haste
the turkey when tall form appeared
In the open doorway.
WIFI, YOU here
His dark eyes iwinkiei.
You didn't know INTENDED: coming
hack TO Rivertown, did YOU? In to
manage dads store here"
Going to live here again >"
Yes. / intended TO speak to you
about II. but you seemed go Def GIFTED
with ti,y life that You dressed so
gayly and-oh. weH. you were differ
ent, that's all. Then you said you
didn't intend 10 come home for Christ
mas. His eyes accused her at this
SarUpytSiI- or 10 ~.
ing spoon. unable TO tell him of the
gown that now seemed 50 absurd FOR
her. She had so wanted 70 appear
well in his eyes End all the time he'd
been dispjeased with her.
II smell something besides that
turkey" he broke IN on her truirleSs
regrets. Are there fresh viole;s
about? It's smell that always used
Ia liHSer about your hair. but'-he
vas no longer fuzzy. but a soft, shin
ing mass OF close curIs-"Mona, here
you Seem like my girl"
Quite sudtis My she found herself in
his arms, his l.rs touching the scented
curlS.
"Wni you stay here and help ne
live in the new bungalow thar Fred
wants to SELF
As Mona agreed there came Christ
mas music from the radio next door.
Ard the triumphant carols were
echoed ny the sorS in her heart
Henceiorth she would live for her
man and his comfort. 4 bottle 90 VIC
let scent had furthsred her hesrts
deSIe. and twinkle shons IN her
deep blue eyes as she recalled the
gown she had not bought.
THE END.
&EoasrskAt 1874