Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-12-21

ing to send an expensive present IKE that.
and be remembered casually by an engraved
Christmas card. Frank would be hurt, though
he wouldn't say thing about It. He'd done
lot this year. He'd saved that baby of the
YoungstonS, although, Of course Dr. AlIerby
got the credit being head of the pediatric de-
partment in the clinic.
StTHTS is Christmas" her holly wreaths,
her bedecked tree her steaming turkey.
reminded her, and her mind said Wearily ana,
quarrelsomely: what II il Is! IT'S Just an
She had hoped to steal half an hour TO 20
on BY herself and wheedle her nerves into
greater placidity. But there was to be no time
for that. II was after twelve already-the
children had to be dressed for dinner now.
The Soiled clothes were WfHisked on, the rough
ened hair brushed and Betty's irrelevant, not
to-be-relied-on clIrls stood out bravely all over
her head today. - -
The guests arrived shortly: Franks mother
and father, Maryis aunt. and her widowed
sister, Ethel, the one. who had married 50 well
and had a touch Of social and financial
Splendor which she had never allowed any
one to forget.
The grandparents came first. very merry In
deed; very full of Christmas mischief with O
teasing way about packages and desire to
slip candy to the children, The aunt Josephine
came up the walk putting. Ethel came q little
later, just after ] O'Clock, with q faint air of
1nttmattng that no holiday could be q .holidax
for her. = a.e .ar
She took of her coat In Mary's room and
smiled pathetcally at her sister ~,
Five years ago today" she remarked nemi-
niScently, Perry and were dining ct the ST.
Germans. passed their house as L came
down. There. were automobiles lined up OUT
side for half block remember"
Don't" said Mary. Come down and see
how pretty the tree looks"
She was sorry for Ethel but sometimes she
was also irritated into wondering whether
Ethel grieved more at being widowed of hus-
band or of social position
They sat around the living room Mary max
ing frequent little trips to the kitchen to mako
sure that everything was all right Jennie
stirring gravy, looked pointedly ut the clock.
It's now, Mrs. Knight" she said.
I know it Is Jenny. The doctor ought to
be here any minute" sJ
Fifteen minutes, twenty minutes. with every
second adding to the grievance and nervous
worry In her mind. Then came the telephone.
It was Francis. 4.
Mary" he said. I'm sorry, but IN be held
up for couple Of hours. Don't wait for me-
"But. Frank, dinners ready" . -.
Just go ahead without me. I'll be home
as soon as / can. Sorry. wish them MI
merry Christmas for me-" }s..
He hung up the telephone and she sat fog
q minute, anger and fatigue and disappoink4
ment all fighting for possession Of her Skee
knew she might cry. She knew she might say
anything. On Christmasl DR.. AIIefby would .
be home. He wouldn't be running his wffea
Christmas dinner. Ia S.@
Why did Frank let every one impose on hint
If some child was sick, why didn't he ten the
mother what TO do for 1t. and come homer
He had q family OF his own Why had she
planned any dinner, when she might have
guessed in advance that something like GAis
was sure to happen?
Almost unconsciOusIy Mary braced hefself
and went to her guests. 4-! : 80 q
franks held up. as usual" she said. sNWefE
have to eat without him. WIN you carve.
father?" - ata sliS4 EacEssos,s . s.z,t'
Mr. Knight said he really didn't know WhetA- !
err he could or not. But he could find drum-
merfi3y merriIys ne 1ed the way tOat11e tllnikk
room and meFE1ly carved tire stn9eyste Wk1chfT
70 s-s.A. .ngass E.s1 oaR $1,000 AaL 81 q