Evening star., 1940-12-11
CHAPTER. ONE

n0SSllke. Ills 1S lily ldSI SIlIlSt
mas?"
Young Dr. Monroe Redeemed with
embarrassment. I'm not doing this
at all we'll" he hesitated, but
Save that bedside manner OF
yours for the younger women" Ma
snapped. II want the truth"
John Monroe tapped the shabby
desk top with nervous fingers
well" he said, reluctantly, you
were doctors wife. You under
stand about these things"
"Yes or no?" Ma was relentless
"Yes." Relief and concern sat
heavily on the doctors face. THAT
heart of yours-you've known fol-
years-even before the Big Doc died
, you knew that"
THAT it wouldn't last forever. I'm
IS. Got to die some time. The ques-
ton is-how long have got
eff you take care of yourself, six
months at most"
Il see And if I don't sooner?"
John Monroe nodded unhappily
"If-only somebody else could have
told you, Ma. Its as if"
"But this is definitely my last
Christmas?"
Yes, Ma"
She sighed heavily, rose to her
feet. "I-thought as much. Thank
you, Johnny"
He fumbled in his desk for pad
nh, o+
this prescriptions"
II should waste my money on pre-
scriptions!" Her laugh was suddenly
young and careless.
you'll tell the children right
away. of course?"
II don't think so. Not for a while
yet. I'll have them all home for
Christmas, then maybe when they
go back-Ill write and tell them
1t wouldn't do to spoil their Christ
mas"
The door closed gently and with
finality.
Christmas Atmosphere.
Mountain Greek was meeting
Chr. tmas more than half way. Mar
row streets were heavily draped with
loops OF laurel. EVergreenS BIOS
somed withr gay-Colored lights Win
dows were lavish with scarlet and
green and sleigh bells tangled
against the nostalgia sweetness of
yuletide carols.
Ma Shannon plOdded through the
crowds, little dump figure in her
ancient hat and questionable coat
A loud speaker at Holton's depart
ment store blared Silent Night
against the unseasonably warm De-
cember air. The Salvation Army
Santa Claus, Woefully peaked and
thin, tinkled his charitable bell.
The carols. the busy chatter of the
crowds. the sleigh bells all united in
a steady beating. Last Christmas
last Christmas-last Christmas!"
Two more WeekS-so many things
yet to be done, so little time left for
the doing. Ma Strengthened her RI
diculous hat with determined hands
smiled at the hurried young couple
who had jostled her, and turned
firmly into Davis general emporium
and post Office.
Dan Davis was behind the counter
Ma was suddenly filled with a fierce
delight. Maggie Davis was a bab-
bling busybody. Ma could not have
borne her acid cheerfulness today
But Dan was her pet and her boy
His smile wrinkled million large
freckles. Hello, young lady" he
hailed. Doing your Christmas
shoplifting?"
1--WE been walked on by every
man, woman and child in Mountain
Creek" Ma explained.
Serves you right for not doing
your shopping early"
I'm lazy old lady" she ad-
mitted shamelessly.
You'd box my ears if I said that
AOf course I would" Ma grew
indignant. Il don't mind admitting
my faults, but I hate to hear others
talk about 'em. How's your mother?'
It's a Date.
Dan grinned. "Up at Aunt Mil.
hes for the afternoon. Swapping
scandal. Aunt Millie has a way o1
finding out what people are going tc
do before they know themselves
And Mons no slouch either, wher
1t comes to that"
"You mother gets around" Ma
agreed. How about some Scent
stamps?"
Sounds" the young voice fall
tered, Sounds as if you were going
to write some letters. Give her my
love"
"sally?"
For a short second the boys heart
stock naked in his eyes. who else
but Sally?"
Ma paved in her shabby purse
avoiding the vulnerable young face
"Oh, handsome young feller like
you-"
Sure. me and Robert Taylor
How is Sally, Map"
Don't you ever hear from her
yourself?"
"Oh, now and then" The voice
was careless, but Ma knew lie
when she heard one. She leaned
across the battered counter.
I'm having the young ones home
for Christmas" she confided. "Now
maybe if you was to come sashayin
up to the house, by accident"
"It's a date" the boy grinned
@Did anybody ever tell you, Ma. how
much you look like Santa CLAUSE"
Ma giggled 1T must be the long
white beard"
The letters to her children must
be very carefully composed, Ma de-
cided. Just the right amount oi
lightness-but not too light. They
might suspect. Particularly Lydia
Lydia was sharp.
The letter to Lydia first, then. Ms
gripped the pen in her work-bat'
tered fingers. you're better al
scrubbing floors than writing let
ters," she informed them.
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