The Waterbury Democrat., 1934-09-27

precipitation beading his lined brow. He was almost tearfully trl- umphant over the event. The doc tor said something half-hearted about taking him to a milder eli mate and Boots whispered her great news to her mother later.
 We can't let you do that not just for us" protested Mrs Rae burn, but the flash of joy and sur prise fingered on her cheek and she listened gratefully to her child's sober insistence. Yes, of course, Boots loved Edward. Who would help it? He was everything that was fine and good, wasn't he?
 The mother wished to be con- vinced and therefore was. But she didn't, she said. want to see Boots make any mistake. -.
 
 Christmas Eve came at last and a very madness of buying descend ed upon the shop. At half-past s Frances, in a Hull, commended Boots to go home. Edwards car waited halfway up the block. Boots was stupid with fatigue and hunger as she bundled herself into her shabby coat and stumbled out.
 "'Bye, darling. Merry Christ mas!" Frances waved her hand. Tomorrow she would sleep late Tn the apartment, would go to the Oranges later for family dinner and presents.
 Edwards man was at the wheel and in an instant he was on the pavement, throwing the door open, tucking Boots in under the kil.en- soft fur rug. Edward had been compelled to go to a duty dinner tonight, something to do with his Uncle Martin, the dean of all the family connections. Boot was grate- full for the. long drive home in silence. Once she leaned forward to speak to the chauffeur. a smil- ing Irishman who had been with the Van Scivers for years.
 You have children, Mac?"
 She could see his grin in the mir TOT. 'T have that-four of them. Yellin' their heads off when I left the flat at noontime."
 "Four!" She marveled at that. "Children must be great fun"
 "Oh, they are. miss! It's the boy that's a caution. He wants fire engine and Linn only The missus got him one but l doubt if it's as big as he wants. -
 She sat back, watching the crowds. In uppe: Madison avenue people streamed in and out of all the mean little shops. The red fronted dime store was one blaze of light. Tinsel, curled red paper and imitation Christmas trees graced the drug store on the cor ner. Weary women, with children at their skirts. waited for the green light at crossings, their fingers straining at thinly wrapped metal toys and fiimsy boxes of ornaments. In many curtained window light ed trees showed and candles were lighted on sills
 My mother always lighted one of them in the window Christmas night" McShane contributed in the silence, perking his head at one of these. "The missus is too nervous about fire. She don't have one. l kinda miss it."
 Presently they left the trolley tracks behind and the big bridges, with unlighted barge1 floating lone somely on the river, and glided out into the broad highway thread ing through the Westchester towns. | They passed community tree gilt | tering with lights-red and blue and ycllow-with we'll dressed. fur coated people singing carols in its shadow. They passed lighted churches and more shops and then | they were In Larchneck. Merry Christmas. Mac!" cried Boots as he deposited her bundles at the very door.
 'The same to you. Miss, and many of them!" His smiling glance | told her that he knew about her and Edward. This time next year she would be Van Sciver. That was what his look said. The door shut behind her and | the familiar smell of home closed in around her. Smell of dust in the stair carpet and cooking and | the evergreen Miss Florida had thrust into the blue vase on the living room mantel.
 Her mother carre bustling out of that doorway now.
 Home at last. child? Starving or did you have any supper?" What was there in her mothers voice that prompted Boots to glance through the portieres? Her heart began madly to pound |. to race.
 someone to see you" said her mother in her company voice." "Mr Fenwav.
 Denis rose from the chair in which he had been lounaing. Boots was conscious of her tumbled hair. of her paiior and weariness and the shabbiness of her old blue felt hat.
 Just dropped ln to say Merry Christmas" said the deep voice. The old glory the old celestial music began to resound in Boots heart. She had thought Ehe hn6 rooted him out Of her very being but she had been mistaken. fro 10 COnlinnodl