Evening star., 1928-12-24

~ ana reVefently. He knew that Mabel
was there. knew that she was sad,
and hated to take this last from her.
She was half asleep and it was a tear
strained, unhappy face that she lifted
toward him as he neared her.
Poor little girl" he said assuringly.
What happened that spoiled your
plans?"
There was no reply, only fresh tears
rolling over white cheeks.
Tell me, Mabel! Haven't I known
you since you were 6 years old? I have
an interest in you. / want to know
what that scoundrel did to cause you
SO much misery"
oh, he-he took another girl, and
went away with her for two weeks. I
heard about it. How I'd hate her IL
l saw her. o guess she's a breed at
that. Oh" she walled, land I've
trusted him and waited for him ever
since was IT,"
We'll, grille, did he try to explain?"
YES, but 1 wouldn't listen. I didn't
want excuses. Who would?"
That was it, who would? Living with
breed girl was enough But as for
the breed part of it, there were lots
OF nice ones out in this unsettled West.
And is that the end?"
Almost, only I'm sorry for what I
did. I was mad of course. I got real
mean and wished him all the luck in
the world, but hoped he'd never know
moments peace. And. oh, Mr.. Blake,
I've felt terrible ever since It was a
foolish curse and I feel that it will
stick with him. It was a cruel thing
to say, wasn't it?"
Perhaps he deserved it. Poor girl.
And tomorrow is Christmas" He
glanced out of the window. The snow
was falling diSmally on the already
deeply covered ground And not a
very happy one for you. You were to
have been married then, weren't you?"
She nodded, unable to trust her
voice.
And that chair-I know what a big
leather chair before a fireplace means.
Listen, Mabel. That chair is your
Christmas present from me. I'll take
it home for you. 1 know it will make
you sad, but it will give you some COM
fort too. The house is Jin's, isn't IL?
thought so. Home bought and fur
to himself. 1t was too bad
THE chair mine! / would like to
have it. You're so good to me, Mr..
Blake" she said quietly.
That's all right. Come, I'd better
| take you home now. The fire is dying
down"
Forty years later a white-haired
lady sat in an eld-faghioned scratched
leather chair. 1t was not badly worn,
but showed traces of much moving.
The lady was we'll wrapped in shaWls
as she was in the cold attic. The
chair had always been kept in attics,
well away from the children's curious
eyes. No one but herself had ever sat
in it and it was her wish that no one
ever should. 1t was the one thing of
her old love affair that she kept and
cherished. She was thinking Of the
snowy day, 40 years ago, the day
Mr.. Blake had given her the chair.
Poor old man! He had been dead many
years now. He had been good to her
and she would not forget. He had said
the chair would give her comfort It
did. Soon after it had been given to
her she had married man 80 years
her senior. Perhaps she did it for the
purpose of spiting Jim, or perhaps just
to show him she could get some one
else. Mabel was not sure why. Anyway
the marriage had never been an entire
ly happy one. Often she had fled to
| the old chair to ease her aching heart
| There were children, all OF whom were
married now. Tomorrow was Christmas
The children and their respective
wives and husbands would be there.
but the little old lady would still be
lonesome.
Some one was knocking on the door
below She arose and laboriously de-
scended the long stairs, A gust of wind
greeted her as she first opened the
door. Then an old man stood before
her. His eyes and smile were Jim'S.
Jin!" she said, half aloud.
MAY I come in, Mabel?" he asked,
pleadingly.
surely, you're always welcome"
But again she was remembering the
breed girl and those two weeks he
"It's been 40 years, Mabel" he
said unsteadily. II went on trip after
you sent me away. I intended to
| try again to explain when I returned.
But Mabel, was almost crazy when
l learned that you were married. La
i 'ter, as you know, I was married, too.
My poor little wife was good to me.
She knew about you and understood.
She's dead now, the same as is your
husband"
Mabel was listening hopelessly to
things that she already knew. She
wanted him to hurry to the explana-
ton, hoped feverishly that the, one he
QdQ 10 OII6T Sic COlilu UCIlSNC
And Mabel" he. was crying, you
hoped I would never have a peaceful
moment. / haven't"
Her eyes were misty with pity as he
went on.
"The girl? My uncle married a
chiefs daughter She had to be taken
to Boise to complete some tribal du-
ties. i was asked to take her. 1t had
to be kept secret until she was there.
The trip was long and hard" He
paused. do you believe me, Mabel?
I can tell you no more, for that Is
ALL"
There was a slight twinkle in the
old lady's eyes as she looked up. Jim, )"
she said, How can you ever forgive
me for being so rash and quick to
judge you?"
"It's all right dear. know how 1t
looked. Tomorrow is Christmas. I've
come to keep my promise I made 40
years ago."
Come, she said. Slowly they de-
scended the stairs. Smiling, she beck
oned him on. Together they sat snug
gled in the big leather chair.
Tomorrow, Mabel. Well find fire.
place, and today I've had all the luck
in the world Her hand found its
way to his as she giggled girlishly.
THE END.