The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1938-11-17
Chapter %
Holiday Time

loLiuay AlIle
THE MacDonalds came in that
L evening. Kathleen sat quietly.
wondering at the fresh pain throb-
bing in hel hands. And on the OPP.
posite side of the room, Donald
Macdonald sat, unconsciously
staring at the bandaged hands,
mute evidence of the girls Draw
cry, his face dark with rebellion.
"Pd wanted to take you home
with me for the holidays" Mrs.
Macdonald told the girls. "but the
doctor says no. Well. the boys will
return for Hugnendi-"
"Hug me, what?" asked Bridget.
ooh, you Irish don't celebrate
New Years Eve as the Scotch do,
I'd advise you to prepare for COM
pany Immediately after the stroke
of midnight. You'll want your first
guest to be a man. and after that a
man and a girl. one dark. one fair.
Have fuel on your veraida for the
first man to carry in and you'll
have good luck the rest Of the
year." Eft
"But suppose the first visitor is
a girl?" queried Bridget.
"Ask Mayme what happens.
Poor child nearly stayed out all
night last year. She lives in the
last cottage down the hill you
know. Shed worked late at thejho-
tel. One of the men drove her
home, but he couldn't get near the
cot so she sent him back and
walked on. Her mother wouldn't
let a girl be first to cross the
threshold on the New Year. She
had to come Up and get Donald out
Of bed so he could carry the good
luck into the house."
The MacDonalds left early, they
were driving to Carsted at dawn
and from there would entrain.
Bird yet escorted them to the
porch while Kathleen sat fight
ing the tears of defeat. Donald
hadn't even said goodby.
She looked up. He was standing
In front Of her. glowering down.
II just wanted to say hope
you'll have mtrry Christmas. |"
The words came out like the snap
Of whip.
"The same to you and many Of
them" Kathleen snapped back.
And where was Bridget? Did
the crazy girl want to catch cold
standing out there on the porch
with that donald? Mrs. MacDon-
AIDS voice had sounded from the
street long ago.
Bridget came In, her eyes like
the northern stars on q frosty
night. Kathleen had to speak,
twice before she was heard. then
Bridget was contrite.
Donald says Norman Is coming
back TO spend the rest Of the win,
ter with him." she purred.
That" flashed Kathleen, s'isi
Just d,ickyl"
Bridget's arms went around
Kathleen. "Oh I'm selfish. dear. !
keep forgetting what pain you are
in. Come, let me lndress you and
tuck you In. Then two little white
tablets and q few hours Of rest."
Kathleen rested her head on the
supporting ar ms. She couldn't
hate Bridget IL she wanted TO. and
oh, how she wanted 10.
The very thought Of Christmas
was Notwithstanding to Kathleen.
Why hadn't she made the excuse
that she wanted to 90 to Chicago.
then flown on to New York? But
she couldn't travel. The day would
be lonely, dreary.
Il wasn't. Bridget was ready for
the carol singers who gathered
beneath the windows on Christ
mas Eve. They trouped into the
house shaking powdery snow from
their shoulders and tronped out
again.
Shower OF Gifts ~
QLINDFOLDED. Kathleen swas
- led TO her room and there
found wide. deep studio couch. q
gift from Miss Beatrice Gregory.
She slept upon II that night. lay
watching the hearth Goals fare
gold and purple and wondered
what Christmas Eve would be like.
10 Los Angeles. II Mrs. Macdonald
and Norman would have 3 merry
time. Donalc would. He'd have 4
crowd Of those girls Wayne had
mentioned. making a fool OF him.
Morning came. and with 1t such
q shower OF gifts Kathleen was
astounded. Donald Macdonald
sent not one gift but q box Of them:
thoughtfully chosen gifts. Six Of
the latest novels and an adjustable
stand 20 hold them and attached
20 this an automatic page turner.
Strangely precious to Kathleen
was the personal gift. q pocket
powder box bearing Q card on
which was written To use next
summer so won't have 10 look al
the freckleS." Inside the box cover
was inscribed, TO Spit-fre from
the YappinR Maiamute."
Surely there was nothing ten
der in the term aSpit-fire. yet ii
struek some dim. sympathetic
@hcrd az fnemnrx