The Daily Alaska empire., 1928-12-23

because there was no longer a lamp The lamp holder was there, hanging in the front hall, but it had been fastened up so that it stayed up all the time now. It didn't have to be pulled down. There was an electric globe in it and it was turned on by a button on the side of the wall. t#c 2Hs Es E It was this electric light that bothered the house. Somehow it |seemed as though the mistletoe hung from the electie light would not be so romantic. It was such a change. And romance, the house felt, was not something to be changed in twinkling, in the turning of the button. #
 However, the mistletoe hung there hung as best it could with it's red ribbon attachment. its large amount of pale-green leaves, its fine white berries.
 The train was a minute ahead of time Trains were not apt to be ahead of time. But this time it was, for the clock had said T,,1A and the train was not due to arrive until 7:15. And the clock could not make mistake. Not now after it had just been up the street so recently to visit the very best and oldest clock mender in town.
 ' Down came the automobile In came the people. Gayety, laugh ter, merriment rang out through the old house, echoed up and back from the great high ceil- I ing, resounded through the many rooms.
 How wonderfully the house | is decorated. It never looked loyelier than it does this year
 Every year the house had heard l those words. Every year the house was more and more pleased with the compliment. Every year those arriving from away felt that they had never seen the house look so lovely Evefy year these who had decorated it felt they had never done so fine a job. The presents were opened in front of the fire. Then the candles were put out-for they must be lighted again on Christ mas night They must not all burn out in one evening. That was the custom.
 There was a slight lull after the excitement of the opening of the presents. And then came a ring at the old door bell Some times the old door be stayed out when it was pulles ont, but on the whole it was a very good door bell in spite of its great age Besides, didn't the members of the family always lock after the door bell? Didn't they always push it in if they found it out when they were coming home, and didn't they announce as they got inside-"That was only my pushing the bell in. I found 1t out"
 Oh, most of the time the door bell worked beautifully. This time it fairly burst itself with the laughing ring that it gave.
 "A caller,' said the house to ] itself
 "A caller" said the family to enc another. Its pretty late. Who can it be? But let us see Our lights are all lighted. Who ever it was couldn't help but Isee that we are up, and people know how late we sit up Christ I mas eve"
 I The door was opened. One of the youngest members of the I family opened the door. Not one of the children they were in bed. But enc of the youngest members just the same.
 It was Joan who had opened the door. Joan with her bright color and blond hair and blue leyes and jolly, skipping little laugh. You thought of water skip | ping over pebbles in a brook when you heard Joan laugh. | "Oh," Joan said. "Oh," she said again.
 The family inside were wonder ing why Joan didn't bring the caller inside. Or was it just a message perhaps? Or was it a late package? Or was it a mis- take? Or what?
 "Oh," Joan cried, still holding open he door. "Oh," said Joan again.
 | Joan, Merry Christmas. Do I let's make up. I don't see a fu- ture without you. I love you so much"