The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1934-01-18

along. and he was thankful just TO
have his dear ones gathered around
him. There was Gypsy and that
nice boy she'd married. Gypsy was
ell right. He didn't have 10 worry
about her. a couple Of years back.
he hadn't quite known Gypsy
had been going places with that old
ish. rich man. He and Mother
hadn't liked the idea. But then
the hing had Strengthened itself
out. All his worry had been for
nothing. Gypsy had fallen in love
Now size was starting life as he and
Mother had. There wasn't much
money, Of course. but the boy was
young and clean and ambitious
Gypsy was taken care Of
No one would have known, watch.
ing his lined and prosaic counte-
nance. as he sliced meat and
spooned dressing. that such
thoughts were his. Some of the
white meat. Bertram? | guess he
thinks the second joint is choicer."
The old white china, with it's gilt
bands. the deep blue glasses. the
rose wreathed plates for the pud.
ding-all. all were in their accus-
toned places. This was Christmas,
with all the good old things as they
had ever been. Morells had eaten
from this china 100 years ago,
thought the father gravely, and
would 100 years from now, please
Cod!
Ciytie rolled in with fresh plates,
rolled out again with laden ones.
She was brave in a stiff new uni.
form today. Her crinkly hair haG
been "straightened' for the occa-
sion.
GYPSY Was cracking walnuts for
Cousin Lou. Across the table,
the girl twin squeaked joyously at
some joke of Toms Gypsy's new
scent was much admired and every.
one exclaimed over his or her gifts.
They all felt expansive and happy.
Afterward this sense Of well-being
would deepen into drOwsiness. The
younger ones would go off to coast,
the elder ones would steal nap,
perhaps. But at the moment all
was cosiness and laughter.
Gypsy collapsed into her favorite
deep chair by the fireplace, after
ward.
Il didn't know l was so tired I'M
til this instant" she confessed lux
uriously. eve were up until all
hours. hadn't wrapped any of
my packages and had TO trim
the tree :"
Tom said he proposed walk in
half an hour or so. Did anyone
want to come along? Gypsy stifed
yawn. She knew, she said, that
a walk would do her worlds Of
good, but she wasn't going to have
one. She was going to curl up on
the sunroom couch and snatch 40
v'inks.
SO the party separated, as family
parties have a way Of doing. The
wand outside blew colder. the early
dusk fell and the lamps were light
ed. In the kitchen regions Clytie
clattered cheerfully away with the
last pans. She would don her new
purple silk presently and go Off
TO the African church in the village.
The bill that Mr.. Morell had given
her cracked enticingly in her
purse. Clytie was thankful. She
experienced the Christmas spirit.
The house Guicted down. MT
Morell dozed by the fire in the llv'
ing room. his wife and Cousin Lou
played checkers at a table nearby
and in the sunroom Gypsy, curled
up under an old Paisley shawl,
tried in vain to sleep. At first she
had been desperately drOwsy but
once she had stretched out, she had
come stark awake ard her con
science had begun to prick her
anew.
What a fool she'd been tshe
thOuehD to let MarkG talk her into