The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-03-13
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CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

II less disorder. the uOOr covered
Tl. silver ti1sel and tree orna-
ms ITS. the rugs tumbled. the vase
OF white lilies still on a distant
window sill. The tree was a mOnu-
ment Of glittering glory. a tinseled
angel with outspread wings IN the
tOpmost branch.
Peace and good will" whis-
pered lingo as she looked up at
it. She placed the vase Of lilies
on the mantel close to the gold
frame, and Elizabeth Deys curved
lips seemed 70 smile down at her.
The tissue wrapped packages,
bearing cards written in Miss
Smiths hand, were arranged
neatly and Title was summoned
with Ter broom to clean the room
IN preparation for the evenings
festivities.
lingo picked some Of the small
ornaments and the tinsel shreds
from the floor and went to her
room. Childish voices were ring
ing out from the nursery and the
hospital smelled Of pine - and Of
Christmas.
DR.. Laird was in the hall. You
are coming down for the tree,
Iassie?"
No. DR.. Bob"
4 am sorry"
you know why, DR.. Bob. I never
never want to see John Dey."
He looked old and worn in the
dim light in the hall, but his
courageous smile frightened the
thin face.
L wish you a very. very merry
Christmas, laSsie." and he brushed
his hand YEARLY across his eyes.
I want it to be as all Christmases
should be, peace, happineSs-good
will"
lingo placed her hand on his
arm. please. DR.. Bob, I want to
wish you a merry Christmas, too
And I want to tell you-that am
very happy. I want TO tell you I
love you, DR.. Bob"
The sweetest Christmas gift 1
could receive, IaSsie," brightly. And
Will you promise this Christmas eve
to remember that old DR.. Bob
meant well? You will never forget
that ne wanted the very best in life
for you? You will promise that,
laSsie2"
I promise, DR.. Bob"
There we're packages beside her
plate at the dinner table. A bulky
one, For Lassie from DR.. Bob" 1t
was books. she knew. And tiny
bit Of feminine f1nery from Mrs.
Sykes. a box &C hanGkerchiefS from
Miss Smith and stockings from Miss
Evans.
Beneath all was another square
package tied with red satin ribbon,
a fresh spray of mistletoe caught in
the bow. The writing was the same
as on the card that had come in the
box of violets the week before.
A LONE in her room, the door
n locked. she opened it. 1t was a
white kid box and as she unfas-
tened the little catch and the cover
snapped back. she drew in little
sob. Against the white satin lay
quaint necklace Of antique gold, ex-
QuiSitely carved, with a narrow
bracelet to match.
For a long time she sat in dark
ness. the box pressed against her
breast. A year ago tonight she had
been waiting for Harry to come.
Somehow, she knew he would come
although she had not seen him for
two days. She had heard his foot
steps on the dark narrow stairs and
had gone to meet him.
I can't stay long. baby. but it's
Christmas Eve and I've brought you
a present" He waited until she had
removed the wrappings. Look at
thatl Three pieces and every one
with a j on the back Of it. Jingo!"
At last she arose and snapped or
the light. She set the tiny pi-
tree on the windOwSill, fastening
there with the aid of books on either
side which she covered with cotton
Sprinkled with silver snow. She
fastened the ornaments TO the
branches. the tinsel shreds against
the green.
And outside in the lilac bush, she
could hear the sleepy chirp of the
Sparrows.
III share my tree with the spar
rOws-it will be their tree and mine.
The clock struck Z. Casey ant
Betsy and all the rest would be re-
Ceiving their gifts from a red
hooded, white bearded Santa. They
would stand hand in hand around
the tree singing Silent Night
Holy Night"
John Dey was down there-and
vet. somewhere out in the city, Mr..
Jock was thinking of her. And she
knew he would cons tC her this
Christmas eve.
Peace on earth-good will"
There was a knock at the door.
lingo rose TO her feet and gave
one fleeing glance in the mirror as
she passed it. With the white kid
box pressed against her breast. she
walked TO the door and opened it.
Her head was high, her eyes lunli-
nous.
7 knew it was you," she said
simply. I knew"
Merry Christmas. JeSSica." He
held out his hand and she placed
hers in il.
Merry Christmas, Mr.. Jock. Oh,
7 co hope it will be very-very
happy"
7 wanted TO tell you-goo6-by."
Goodbye" she repeated slowly.
7 am going away. I leave to-