The Bismarck tribune., 1934-10-05

Christmas day with his parents but
On Christmas eve he and Caroline
put up tree In the house on Edge
Street and festooned Il with silver
and hung it with blue lights. There
were masses Of white and yellow
chrysanthemums IN tall glass vases
that showed the long stems. wreaths
Of hemlock and holly, snd-just
where Howard wanted lt-a bunch
g mistletoe.
The house was gay and festive IN
when Caroline and her father eat
down g . breakfast Of waffles and
honey, but their hearts were heavy.
Suddenly Caroline put down her
pork, pushed her chair back and
dew around 20 her father. He held
her like . child while she sobbed out
her Loneliness.
Presently, with Mrs. Stevenson,
they gathered up their gifts at the
foot of the tree and opened them.
There WAS Q wristwatch for Caro-
line from Howard. and . vest
watch, and chain, for her father, Z
e0melS hair sweater for Mrs,
Stevenson, and all the small things
that Caroline had made for Philip,
From him there was . surprise for
hor-hor mothers wedding ring.
Caroline made him wish il on her
an2er-just for the day.
He Was, for Q moment, the old
Philip Of pride and distinguished
bearing @ he slipped the platinum
band over his daughters slender
finger and bent his lips to It with
the wish IL hiS heart that It should
bring her more happiness than it
had brought 20 her mother.
There ware more presents to un-
Mrs.. Stevenson, . box Of child
made gifts from the twins, . knitted
scarf and beret and hemstitched
handkerchiefs from Fern. And then
there was left Q square box with Z
card from Nrs. Stuart and Malcolm.
It Was addressed TO the Rutledges.
and Philip opened It.
Caroline vas conscience stricken
when she saw that II Was . Christ
mas cake that obviously Mrs. Stuart
had herself baked for them.
Her father, noting her expires.
sion, said: "Didnt you send any.
thing Caroline -
Caroline shook her head. "Only
. card I've scarcely seen them TOR
weeks. ] know I ought to Be
ashsmsd-aftsr III their kindness
and 7 am -
Nj. Rutlsdgs glanced about the
ehrysanthsmums," he suggested,
oodding toward the largest vasefu!:
"And this box of glace fruits, : .
Caroline added, picking up one Of
Howard's gifts. sWrap some paper
around tho flower stems for me.
please" she said 70 1ra Stevenson.
1I1l 60 right over"
There W1S IN eASefneSS In heI
manner that was oliehtly perplex.
in4 to her father. Caroline herself
wss unaware Of IL She hurried into
the hall and got . coat from the
closet, but she did not stop for hat
Or gloves. although It was showing
She was almost hidden behind the
flowers when she rang the Stuarts'
loorbell. Malcolm answered "Mer.
r Christmasl" she cried gaily,
Then. ssOh-this box under my arm.
It's slippingl Take 10 quickl"
Malcolm reached out and took the
box "Coms IN" 10 invited. III
you're really there. ! can't zee you.
Caroline still held the flowers q
che stepped aeross tho threshold.
Malcolm closed the door behind her
and turned to take them. The day
Was darkening: be had snapped on
che hall light u glistened on the
wedding ring - Caroline extended
her hands.
"Why, what's the matter"
Malcolm had uttered 4 sEaothered
sound. expressive of unhappy, sur
prise. But he smiled as he took the
howers from Caroline's arms and
said: "ls Il just Merry Christmas.
Of Merry Christmas and much hap'
aWell," Caroline replied, not vt
realizing what he meant, lit isn't
) really . merry Christmas, Malcolm.
Of ! very happy one, either. in our
house. But you and your mother
were very sweet 10 remember ~. ]
hopo Il g . happier one for you
1I'm sorry" Maleolm said softly.
sl&other's 81 the kitchen. Shall /
tsll her you're hsrs. Or viii you
come With mel"
"I'll come With you." Caroline said
quickly. II love your mothers
htehsn; It always smells Of spice OF