- e- "Iizsargan '_--\~/f'§!‘;; _'_‘->__ l“- rsgr: rwslvrveur A ___'1‘HE """*. . ' -- - 1 to .1~t I some ‘continued ‘mm h" u) Tm he!“ a m “new! h“ w" w dirk MW’ m we J“ mu“ h“ ‘"7 w “and °°m° “p” " ‘um?’ ‘M c istmss season. The little hous- ing at the mm “Miss Jun Pay- led her E _ ~ ‘ . ' . A Christmas Romance of Loving Service, Intrigue and a _ - lasting Happiness-Thekeward of Sacrificeand Suffering n I 1 of the Joyousnees o: the Jul undid the enbbou llifl‘ gluic- mouth to speak, but Dore 101135131; 11118111118. “Don't forget the buses." Paul brother. I know the lookof them Path of gt made by their head- the front of the bus and leaned frightening scene. Of course Jen. “h: m u n may hm been son" on m9 0mm, o; mu box "Go ‘ahead Tony" h l itqi 1°“ ' - - .- _s e nv c eI-lled After him, standing on the I've lived here all my life." 1181114. Jan could see that the snow ngelnst th back of th ' b sh uld in sidewalk in front of the Devon "You're telling me!" the driver was still sifting down. Apparently seat as 116011184110 my totem???‘ thrgvflcl: of ztiswlrteinwgut anzthe ha’, dd commented. cosine his machine the road was covered with drifts: did not kmw what a. plchue n» elimis swelled louder end he holrd 11W Bu!“ 1h the" W“ "With thiit time! How lovely!" to improve your technique." o? Christmas cards, so Inside wes a mass of orchids. “I'll be glad ip tell yqu what I cm Arms es Tony shot sway. _ 1 Ton tried all the ticket windows slowly around a sharp turn. the bug iurcueu occuumauy mu nude u ‘he m‘ m m!” you,“ om“ with he", h, fenced-in ysros. Light-t from their The eotasti- Dom. touched one of iAli right-here goes." 1* st in: Grsndceniral and repeated The other passengers. m0“ °1 W106. as it swayed around a sharp her dusky hat: leosenefilrmnh-liltasi was definitely‘ reassured. “m” Wm mellow on we mow 1h. deep purple 0mm“ Mm h“ drew '1 d”? breml- ‘Now we'll 13:4? the performance iit the Penusyi- them, laughed. But Jan was look- turn, the red-faced man muttered and lying softly 53341151; 11w M11“ “m” bmum mem‘ ‘m. u J L1 ked u.“ m“ 1m and“ w ‘he Fm- I b08111 vanie. Railroad station. in: or the Nddelled- \\'00-t110Y-00B11- I DPOtNt under his breath. The of her green coat. Her golden eyes‘ "O oome. all e faithful. o“ m” 47°"- “kuw °° m‘ h“ °° “is “m- lmjwull“ 111W this- “Did a girl buy a ticket here en face of iho inan v who had driver did not. slaekon his speed, we“ dark with exdmwuu Joyful end trilimphmw" °I ‘M 1°" "i" “m?” 9°“? m“ f‘ “°Tw“ “Si: m“? ° b" W" “D-derllus. I I-love you..." esterday?" he asked each aston~ spoken. undsomotlniig in his ex- however. Iiooking at his broad "1 won't Sim mm,» uh, 111151.. 5119515- “'1 “mm “'1'” 0Tb ‘f ‘mY- C "00- Goodi" Dore interrupted. die, ed ticket seller in turn. "A PIGSHOII frightened her. brick, Jens sense of security deetg- ed, "Everyone muse join 1n;- M m, “mum; 01d hymn toned mas as thli’ 00014511“ ‘m e‘ To n" "P1 1111-5011115 1-5 001111118- D111‘! her hands. e In 511g ggnbgnugggd pgugg m“, forth him 161i. lhll b8 wauy‘ TW- 'Y01.l Ullllk HIM/ll d0? T1151." very beautiful girl, red hair, you 51:11. 151111. dsom fuiény." he sag mrandagheallliesylyupéirgirlg ofw h . and. tl t I e'- arp an e river answer gr u y e er in a i- , _ . i _ mo, 1d Quzzrisgon, ‘otigegtrngy lglxixLcii-Sllsflad lg‘ m y ollowed the motherly women wanted to ens e 0014mm my“ u no”! m the wwn w“, cm“ 1n place’ h“ We‘ mud mm s”, .wm yo“ many me? v e some e " “S0 what do you want rne to do? small boarding house that Jen pinned the magnificent or- Tony went on, "I thought I mighu the same tone: sort of waking dream. gun “my 1n a mm oonhflyo m, bu; now like u gmuu ~ ' , place t ddc tear, ht 1 , - .. . "We Three Kins: o1 the Orient ihmmfl‘ yfiuffihflfifi 132%’ zmiyrle-miy tgg- 111st giro logkedu stimuli: tggwe: -"r°‘u.l‘?...°';‘§.'f"..'.u‘.%°i2 11,911 man At about this point the ticket sel- We're coining to a stop here- in XXVI N" lpr usually interrupted wiut some Valleyville. You can gut off there b a ' ' .¢Qy <1 m,“ mldo them Welcome and. ls throuzh 1191-16 scintillating stars. hcr about her-h mil, sbrililt query. tendinfl to brixns the if you want to. But me. if the with her eyes closed. Jan plctur- $111k" mmldfle her hl-nd to ‘n31: i: e e o l“ m“ Joomfm filial: vast-hints; 631211;?‘ ogehrge s-tigrccmitgltltdclingnygirheig w-gy yog hieei 11-11:; sshce 10%;: ma: ' ello m! Are you r '2" - " - ~ You. an ow happy you 111mg you description more closely down to roads all right. I'm til-king the bus ed the scene when a. few miles fuels, the upshot oi each convcr- on." flirt-her on she would reach her _ ‘Field and fountain. moor and rmuuu who“ 1,91% 11, w” mug; Brad Curtis's telephone number. It propel Dora's chair to the roofand lo the final question" "Bearing gifts we traverse nfer Th, c010;- 191; Jlmn‘; (w, u; up, for and firtally managed to get Paul was at the door, ready to can make her...you know lead up nation being that 11o such girl as The passen-gicrs cpaitergic gxctiyli- iiestlnétlpn. Stienuvouldlphozie Brad nwmlmm ed m!“ below she Jan h“ w ‘o lo too Tony described had bong-ht n lick- ediy anloiu; iicmse vcs a u e fume la ey. was iear -warm- H ’" . haiku from W151“ m, bug geiure seem l. 1on8 I n: . ‘tgqmughi-ug 111“ 1111s r 2t iroin the man he happened to situation that confronted them. mg to think of his pleasant voice, “F0110W1b8 Minder stir -- driver could move ghg 11m heard his clear. preoleo 1101*. but Th0 r00! semen had been trans- look s1; you...“ he 11:4 $3.11.: O star of wonder, star of night. 1111:“ open u“ dum- und rewind when he spoloe. the homely room formed into a regular dream of a toward Jan and suddenly 1.11611- be questloniuiz. Had he asked the Jan talked to no one. but she of the way he would take coln- l - Star with royal beauty brighi,—" out e,- hund u, drw 1.11m 11.10 the ru which they mood, the ancient Christ-mes party; that was her first eye; mo; For u “m; monwn an rnau at the next window? Whirl. ow-ncd the lair-ii of Pussy-puffs bland. She could almost hear his time ivould it lune bccii \\‘1l(‘ll hi»: bask bought the ticket’! Any limo from of three o'clock 0.1? O11, lie vvoultint 1111,. have seen her " ihut cast‘. He tcoti wasn't. on duty l . Llelnin uzuilicl call buck ititei" three toilgu-e dar \ iiuy pa r bum-i :11 iicr $.10 was until he could come to the less confident voices in its wake. 1nd 1; 1», g1; 1 , 1 1 - 1 i - the doubts and fears of the day caught her hand as they a! stood s 0k ui 1 . mid she ielt“11ls "iuftic gloss her... Those who did not know the words seiner,” e on‘ omy ‘m o seemed to vanish as she know for a moment m the doorway. "Oh. p".7§u:.8w111' as Dom milled them, biting _'I‘he_ bus with a sudden lurch bummed. 81111 (‘"11 the bile dflvrl‘. "ronyl" somehow they would, He agreed at Jeni" --ye5_ “my,” 581d Jul a ivarm slid sideways; the bride sxrcamed. catching the tune. bellowed loud- Fm- .1”, mmum quggtlmig and once to help. "Oh, Doral" cried Jan, giving “Dafufls1" ' _ _ bus was filled with sound each o! the passengers. Tony fin- here. Can't you get someone to In the center of the dance floor Qhucklg from man who 11nd sold her ticket if Jan looked out. as the bus braced herself as she reached id‘ and stroked the soft bail admonition to siav right. where JET" V5110!“ 7011118 V0100 drew little friendly circle o1 people who insirilmetlt in her hands, and all thouflm" Dora’ Nahed lti and once hung between them. then Tun-y If the gen- her. Then, in apology. _ ted out and licked her instinctively Juli felt for the arm -pe-de da-de da-de dai-r until unswers flew mick and h“ 1mm “Umormnately. I haven.‘ my cm. Don“ “and a 1111,, squeeze, Both turned at a delighted littlo Dora. .1 .11; f‘~u'.ftl'. . " i’ - he ‘Nu be we w u w we m ms So y of the w", “m! o“ hand and Wm“ 111° °1d 91mg" W00 110d ally held up his hands helplesly, drive you up the Mounteinvllle stood aChrlstmss tree, so tail thlt 'Well." ‘Pony defended 111mg,“ she had been buying one! ‘ crunched to a. stop. Tho place was Pilssy-puiPs slipping basket with (“me 1") 1m 911d 91'"? A few of those ill-Eli admitted not large and it. stood all alone, the other. ‘en Jam mm“? “w” it m9 heard of their trouble a little while where you are." 1'11!‘ 5-Way- It WM 110001814X! r18 8 propose that they 113d been in their cages In the IIilisbOf lUIl9ll11€§. , ._. during the hours mentioned, but The proprietor, u young, fresh pended for a second as if undo. 160811 111d. waited on them noncha- cided whether or not to tum over. ute "it "Jtt- and explelned that he me only Road? It's only three miles from the electric star at the top seemed "1 told you 1 ruourc mo... 11W u; '~ b115 seemed iu lumg 5115- brightened 156%. thought 8 1fl1h- before and had not. yet. had time "Yes. of course. Tonyis here with Christmas tree should be decorated. "Q11. '11. . ». H to discover whether or not the re- the car. We'll be there in fifteen Paul pointed out firmly. 818K164. --1”w§'s§f-t 9,13%: “L095 t-"Y- ‘G00 "$1 Y0 m0"? serve crew was already underway. minutes." "I Wutft going to have one of 1 w“ 111118111“; because you mo“ ht ' g they were sure no girl muowci-ing I, lniitly, slapping the coft-ce in front Then, slow-iv, so that Jan felt she 8011110111011. ' she began. 811d 1-110 But, he assured them. his car was There was silence at the other these modern. t-y tree-I. all pale your proposal wouldn't be 5,; good Jim's description hart ap~penred. Tony Woildrrfil if h? Olislit to of Jan so that it spilled over into could almost see the wheels sink 01-110" 011010-904 hBP-TWY. n there. Moose River was only e. fe-w end of the wire for a. second or blue or _red lig ts, with white lwc- as Paul's. But all he said u...» u. * r... . butt a the stirs-r. _ mu. m... u... 5...)... covered ditch. Let hothirio you dismi- miles gway m; u. would so for two, m4 when Brad Curtis spoke quered branches. This is a. real what you 5,1,1,» “s-Jll-‘it agaiitsi l’. 11.12" wvv- "Quite 1c ‘iitie flurry. e11?" he the bus tilted to one side and lay A1105‘ lhht 1-11-03‘ "lied 5119-“ help at. once. He and the bus driver again he sounded less exuberant. Christmas tree." They were mwnupted b I 1:1 1y 11.1.1 s..1- cum; i .. ~ 83kt‘ _ . "We 1121\(- n11 kinds th-Grc, panting. T110 driver cut his Nisht getting some really shod dLscusised it briefly and it was set- "on, 'l‘ony ls with you? Well, 1t was. mo. 'I'iie great. spread~ cotton snowball and res Y1! y“? wlierc. And liicrc “are 51-111 the of wuuil 1i here-all bad." He Qngjne am turned around to “we 11311110111; {ram the huddle-used tied that this was what. he should come along." lug boughs were feetoonod with uu- w“ 11.101‘ ‘V1111 map Tméaw m b11595, laughed loudly at his own r-s-mark. his passengers-a discouraged sag ma" 811d 11101-119111! Wmhflb- 31/011’- do, e e honest strings of popcorn and c1113 girls had atartexdl‘ e den‘ Ht‘ had about given up when he But the driver did nut laugh m 1115 shoulders. ‘m9 “'55 1919359‘? with m0 effect Tony had not dared look at. Jan When they drove ll t0 1-118 10118 gaudy 1.111501; candy-stuffed trans- them and Jacks c] b fulrmvjn 1l1L$U0Vt‘l'Cd a 1111111 “ho rriuvrlibor- with him- Hir said only: "Road "visit-that's that. 0f all the R1101 W111i 01W M60111 b68811 t0 51M since than. first sealrchiilfi glance rambling lodge that fitted into the parent stockings dangled ailurinkly home for the first 11in’. temp a ed swing u girl. lii a. grer-ii coal. clear?‘ _ rotten luck!" 1'- 3801“ for fear that he would take her in hill as-lf the trees of which it was among the glittering baubles that imd 1m‘, m", s mt 15th“ m‘ Mid ell-prime e ir-oiivl villi some "$111? it's bio-Ir!’ the boy srin- 'l‘11ro11gi1 u.» sudden babble of The little bride rmi1ed from the. 1.1, arms, But m... he turned n. mud, um shupeu it themselves, shone. hundreds of them. all over 510.. W111, enuugh ° h“ “"- sort or alumni iii-tide. huvuv: a bin lied undecided. "as far as the voices the middle-aged man made 011019 01 h" 1111511311018 "1115- Th0 her. "Brad was standing in the open the tree; there were candy canes Maumd Jan Sufism‘ Ev” 111T"- tickct. Hiul he ilupiw-xc-d to 11911-1‘ M001’ River bridle." himself heard. 1110111911 11101111111 $0118 10!‘ 1111 01 "You will come with me?" he doorway and had by this time re- and gingerbread men and the only guowbufs back as’ ‘was tmvwmf where the girl was u 11-;?Liet'ssee "What's the matter with the "You mean we're off the riled?" thflth W a" 5110 531d? asked. gained 00111-701 01 11111159115 H35 Wn°9551°~ 10 211011911119)’ which cum‘; h" way 55" '5 1-1199 lloW- Aftrl‘ 6WD 1-110“ l Mid 0M0- blldfit?" “In a ditch." 58111 U10 dflv" "'5 “mg w be ..”' "a! m“ “You're going on to Moose Riv- sreetinfl to Tony W38 cordhil. Ho Paul had made were the electric Paul dodged‘ ov t -<1 aiic vs Tony's "How should I know’? Th.» man wcariiy. ohfismm- an" “"- er?" was s11 she said. listened attentiviv to the account lights that took the place of oand- and “m. a while“ h° 111° table Li; must have who called just said to tell _,ou ‘Fh-c bride gave a. low moam. "I— XXVI! Tony noddgd_ Jam walking buck o; the Rummy, and, 19d the bride 1w, hall's Md beeh rkgilcfig 32f 5"0W'- DIG!‘ rdirr con- you couldn't 401. through. But I think n11; arm's broken," she Sllrilfi-iiifl-Sly Phmlgh the 1181115 01 to get. Pussy-puffs basket. and her 17190 the small room which he had ‘Phe room was full of light and fragments of we“. original n m » - u - .11 mound bus :;111t:1‘.io11 uuh :.~ oimue thvyre woi ~ on 1t~v011 “up 1p1111n1x311=d the vilhize did not seem to come wn bag, saw the stricken look on 151m n. offi e. When he music and the excited nu talk . . ‘Pony Ioarncri 1.11.11. "uv-v \\';1.s only 1lt"1i‘. l1:- sax. i.i!l he culls attain." Imincdiniclv- ihc bus was in an any Cm“? Tony tried deSirrB-tfih’ ‘u... young bridegroours face. lm- $29 uui, .3351 he cwas getting of many people. Jan's eyesgpglravel- 2183i {if téppfifi. folk main“ 0 11v time T110 man who had obiootcd to uproar. The travelers stumbled and t0 we i1 a road led of! from the medintrly she turned back to Tony 111w u, white cost, and to Jan's ling from the orchestra-each mam guuuun 5111,1125.‘ nhfinbllléhifis“; m; ' ‘.1111 rmc bus luuiung at at‘ uccordiiv; to 11's aides Jun hurt loft. He got a. map of blind that. thcg were the route the bus would take. ivas hampered by having no know- the boy beliliiid the counter at. tried to keep them beck. ledge whatever of Jim's destination length as to cvciw 011101‘ means of "No one touches her excep he fell over each ntllicr as they tried 1118111 highway. which. evidently. and explained to him that the q.-.ery he replied that the arm was garocd as Santa Claus-fell on s an Tonys shouldel“ Crhtilllllilfllld driving 011 bccanm, 110w that 1 ."(1. i .1€ 11C ’ ‘a, 1.0 1-118 51H 0T1 r531 some (1-15311991701“ the wwni bid ' b l! . d U1 i. I) i. bfldl , 111 ‘l l. 1) “ . He anxious to got away. IIe qugsgirraicd tfieTiqtt-Ed ‘The young husband but the soft unbroken snow effec- 11:... fiufifi‘, m 1-{5418121193111-41 52- §n“§°§§§f°§{ ,;u,,“up“€i§e pony. 111:2‘; Fflsxeigf $5.1? 3.51159 11%;? noubnaddcedes ..atnd_gentlen‘m-' m‘ 011' ‘way ‘mwealed ‘m’ sud‘ rmd- 11111-1011 the ‘emf. T0hy b81084 l1‘ eyrnooners for the next twenty- Wasn't that Mrs. Mallord? And 11' you-m’ h he!“ no need 1° “k 1- 5' eve“ H ma" were °“e- H9 went 011W t0 til-KB the-m 8.10118 100- four hours. Jacki And all those boys crowded pm sure 1"“ a‘ good time‘ Ami m‘ "m" ‘mwly- mam“ m“ he ha“ “D0 you sui-YDOSB 131111‘- t-hty have Then Jim her flee flaming told at nearby tables? Why they were mun mspoulflgafgg £1511“); u“ ' ' ' - l‘ pre- -—b.lt this W118 Blwligh (or a. start tlrniipprtaltlon. but the young man doctor." he snicl grimly. t I “ed m his ‘saw ainwtwrv. _ _ szoo 11s 10nd as lie answered that “Don't crowd her.“ someone p11 B m n. u docioi-_.?" n-gun the ygung 11115- h h 1nd my,“ o“; the ‘he ~ b0 hood b . __J k- Geiung through the city traffic there wore 110 railroads. no other in. "got ‘Jack, all of you." The 111-1410 ‘VP-Whit? 01-8110 M10"? band. J fi.‘f,“m...‘.§w sirgre to iilsit him. How club! nmgn r o“ ac a §§‘,,°,,,-§§1‘1F. host’ wlmam “mum? ivas the worst. part 110w. If To v bus lines. no houses nearer than "Keep your seats,” the Xiari obevrul rhis izqiiural umpu 11s- wouiri have rlriicn relentlessly he wouldn't iakw his. car out, 011 1,111- ou thr- road," through the streets, inc-ivmg down road if you pillfi him. “How far are we from all before him. But. of course lie Jnrl asked iimidly how fat" did nothing of the sort. Hopthread- was to Moose River, and W35 101d ma) ed his way carefully. avoiding col- that they would make it in a lit- lisions by no more than a. whisker tie over an hour as soon as the driver, "and it's ten miles beck to by the gale behind him .-but avoiding them nevertheless. road was clear. (is soon as he was out of iihe city "But you don't know how long in tirfis snotv. 1 ummgh t0 5110111. bUPSU-YU 11110 1-110 realization that she had been going 01111-1514,,“ She wuum ha“ w gut “1-111" Am“ hm ever heard e scarcely heard the driver's part- _ drive;- which he finally drew up did not “Q11, _ 1'11 11 D_ c 115 11 .. . .. I v ‘.50 the village 1011 miles away. and ordered. ‘I'll aet out and put. flares fem 11"?‘ i-‘hxig 1'1"’ 80011 Hyatt 891'» (t: Mbosemiftivie‘: ¥tiybiisrisriiydcfié1it $132151? itutlilrid sftelruJgilrrildrathurovtgrbkto 5513-1» N16111:‘! ihgtrynghekzizaedhfnlild firm?“ “Rifle ury o 1e n at rusie at 11' g, 11' -i 1- cam . L _ ' 1 _ ' ' ., 10 9H0- Moow 111m as he 0Wh0d 1-110 (10011 1'10 thf-1§e.'§-Tenilti:1ii11h:d- p He“ leggiadlrrilelintilllgt glowshiestseta? Malgorsuo lookln‘ grand. derlinfi" iifiierfluriiréimmiersi Mm Fug)“ it River?“ asked the huddle-aged 011161043 111-5 head 5W1 P11111894 Tony looked at her, the sudden m; 51,11; 1° “s11; 11in; Qelebrntle My; Mulluyd mm m; 5411111111131“ 51.11.1115‘ demofmtriag; ‘EEWTJCfSt: "About fifteen mics." said the brilliantly lighted room. propelled to Brad Curtis darkening his evrs- ‘back w New York as soon as pos- Jack. behind her. zriimocl "1 can't begin to thunk yoi for - l-i .. ' '~ Valleyvllle. Can't wailk either way “Yolfd bet-W‘ 811111- 1-110-1- 00°?- iui; iidmohihhlhe B5 he 1101990 final‘? Juet found out about Dora. tfiifiwruvihliriugr“bfiyguuufiifiioxllf ti?‘ fi1§ep§§“' and Tony ‘vhen mister“, m: young ma“ “mung tmmr" the “WW9 ‘m4 PM me you see She ivanted to surprise aible in their impressive surround- 1 W31; 1011:6113 htinkgfi 1181115155131“ ' you‘ t er he made up handsomely for lost. that will be," a middle-aged r1 "Young man. do we have to the counter said brusquely, "it's 11 1 i711 bulb t, _ - _ ume- . W110 1W1 hbt Spoken before 125d stay here all night?" The mother one freezing nlghfl" ‘ °§§Y'§§,°,‘,’“§f,‘d Queue runnllizeariwey 1nedig¥i't.c°k1riu<xl1v\gr 111438181131 egmiiwgllgl‘ tguheP-zgggtingesgorslgregekbizillln ltfsut It ‘than’ acause each 1191150“ At every bus station he siop- in a discourses-d tone. Tho driver oi Helen sounded outraged. I Ton-y. 51-111 ‘Jhhdod by the lilht. from him; she had been running pemnmsum w g9 119mg tonight." Molly the telephone operator, cer- andntlgfirea iPlwlsttnt from m“ we! ped and questioned the attendant. shrink his 11s.“; A ‘mnmm ‘who was r-iviirvbe thquii look for 115,- the felt his face tingle with sudden to Brad Curtis. He. Tony, had lost “You can take my plume’ o; Ned Han Ems the 1.0mm Jan wem He madeahfs ‘gsigiiifciptligultlgifca rc-memboN-d urging hci" little girl i0 11mm 1m. moth-or“, wqmw put. in. warmth. He found estool in front out an,“ u111 course" Dr Cums looked 1m Over m the “we when Mom, and the floor Md M i l f ' ' - r '- tl. sgna r0111 Generally somebody the girl 1n the green coat, and at izlnss of milk said impatiently, "Unless the storm gets worse," of the counter and took of! his _, . __ , _ mu- siuivmi the mall was bursting quit uti-‘ro goinc beyond sinus. said Union's mother irloomily. snow laden hat. XXVI" tguire/igglgbtat Tony, who nodded in $2; lilirlagmuiThehthegosxgstgolis“ Pal-rill. several of the hotel employ‘- fvuh informuiioii. His Aunt H-tillr Ruhr. Do you n-iciin to say ivz-‘re The driver cininbrird 01W 011d “Y” m“ 31W me a cup of Co“ g"You mean fly?" Jim's eyes were "guests of UIESXIOUSC" as Molly Pitt irsirwilfiugi§§i1§h11d°°?'a" rushed -- ' - - 1m. wciity-foui - 110111» ll‘t)ill Now York likely L0 lic here all div" 111141 ' ' 11v bus, and sirr- 111d "No 19111111." Tho d: bvcn icilin "too gwri lookiu‘ to be rciil," n-izo forced her way. Inind you. into bu their way again. After riding so minutes they saw the flicker of a buses try to get through on a ‘night- They drove in silence for a while, words Dr our” smmd M he, m- w 1-110 81ft and then shouted; ‘l-lioy saw him. presently, flcundor- foe." hcbegsn. trying to ignore the The 5,1.- hud Qlfqffld vmw and - L ) _ . _ .' was ex- 111': inroucli snow up to his knees. obvious interest in the young man's 1mm somewhere behmd the clouds 805k flgfiesrifillalltwz 183th‘; Lwflelx: Piielal (fi-éillcufvge Wmgllfl-Ue hwfilél; lhi-uziga. Clgeuiscs from the orchestra s“ til n n-bou‘. a. c111- girl fiSyPlYlfilliqVclllgllCCiilllllriltl, fife dlsflllllfilfléd in bthe “darkness brlsthht Byg- "Itu 0911-1111115! mist 1211141 s brilliant sliver of moon illumin- 1101- and her dear Dora htid born Dora was way-lug ‘I'm-re were four llimelxp wnsiluiitietfilcitiilclrinnid u 8311b .111 10D.‘ hey would soon be eyond ticir ighis. 11bit er a ew wee er. o 3's jupbose a. t‘ itted their path with sudden glory, disposed of by mQse few 511mm places mm “gawk m sudden PM,“ ‘we Ton roin 1e ' - y road aloud the name on Aunt. Battle's seat. Aunt Hniiic 1on2. she had become accustomed 111111-011 1W0 Suddenly. as the k-ero- like this?" Jan's thoughts in a whirl as she dulzently They wuld rest. as much “Excuse me" Paul did not sit "Poglnfl Sa ta Cl ' A - ~ n nus. n-olhei was tired after all her sllopilillg to moveme: and 1t was oddly ir- scrie caught. a wavering flumP "Oh. sure. Nothing Stops them... tried to argue with “"581! that Weeible, lie told them. while down as Jan took her place. He gift; {or special deiiyeryk "Oil them hard 011v Iifi-Vemthi-t." Ymhthl! t0 ‘be left stat‘ , i; hot. ncl Jlhoiietted his bulk settling himself for a long and, to u 1», 1, be 1511-1 1,11 “a and she had 2111 she could do to here in what to herself lgggrsctallgci igninstp the 512W. T1193’ 10110W9€1 T011?» imwellwlnfi "110110108110- "Y0" 3h: r1312: 121,1, iii sneeirfg ‘lvébny 2011:; gieldhggtugerlbmfiyogtefiietddiglhinnzv! fgiubshazgeafi-gewiggufiifi tfiiestigg “Tgffidmfibagfffl B‘ Lisa?“ ma“: ~ mse rom the him with fascinated eyes as he lit see, they're so heavy they can hold mum 1311i; ihut, did m; Qhange M They mum leave m about m“ o‘ Ilium, o! ceremonies The Ems group seize the gm d - - ' - an go 1112111212:- hor bundles at. it urns. B111. a tviidcrn this girl had insisted on Aunt Hat- "More 11k»: a desert. tho 1, ,1- i afici- flare bride the bus. and the road when a car like yours or 1.1; _ s1 i, tie moving all the packages so she iv." she thought. starinx: itlilugtlaiffinhe oilailbd their necks to 100k through mine might go into a. skid. Say. hgdgpluniiergughegfilignwfillfitslfi “n1 how‘ w ndeflm to n1“ M’ last M Liza emifilgkblsa_yh°nr":d r2251?‘ 5951011 01 We fcdl-tieh-t- 5001i the could sit. down next tho window 1011.! Stretches of uiiitc snow 1m- ‘ohe bark \\"i11ri0u' as he struggled I've seen them go by this station cuuld 510p the 1111g~eg5g111ng wuve [tflafih 0 a 0am‘ ‘me Band ‘:0 °su'n_ws1‘- bbwlsca. up f g “mm W35 11111 01 Ted figures 122.1:- whiie she bounced on her invest broken evon by urvs. The ccuniiil‘ ti" “W” 1”" “"1 bfllmd “mn- “Yty-five ‘"1195 '1" 110m‘ 0" '1 1°" of hii-Pviheee tbet "he" h" hams Eiepothe 115113;; iirot chgcoleie Jun r211 llfill0S8i‘g.5t:rl:DP§-‘glli‘3il‘gg ie‘%ig1§'it:mnea13fii£‘1%s aigionfiis r1§i~.~r1.€% In enormous basket. in 11-111011 H1113 11111.91. be, a VJiiSIi" oi bail?“ 103k whore he placed a third signal soqiaassy you wouldh-t believe it!" tremble so that she had t0 100k m“; w i, 8,11; gayly w Tony once ghqulderg, mom that, moment on Look up we cry: was carrying the biggest. cat Aunt. when the snow was gone; it r ‘t light. like it. short." Tony interrupt- 1,1. i1 1 1 11 1 1 _. _ . 113W... had Qwm- “u... m.» 111... Op 1)(1_r,51b1e‘1111a|, __11 the undeybiigh Th“. “.013. an quieted when he 6i “Just w“ me u. the last bus figlovfifl-1ihgowgléig-Pyw came w more; whrewafi Drdtlfirfisslnkiags the whole room became one Ttfllltllh “Paging Santa Claus!" The animal must have. been part ujas buried 111 ctr-iris. For tho 111-51 reiurend. 1wufiiiig and shaking the won-t. through." 11nd us?» m“ by e1‘ 0317115 e 5m me hi8 1111911‘. fitftlililtf-i a5 at? m“ Under cover of n11 111C “mo, wildcat it was so restless. 11nd it 111110 since 1-310 had started on the snow from 1.15 clothes. The youilrg “Sure. about. two hours ago. But, "1 W35 cumin; to bring V011 110mg lovely slum“ room “ em y {mums “Dunne and “s n“ "101"- Jtm. very Whlte. leaned cioso kept growling not. AUIIL Hattie fin-i i111). discouragement overtook 1101‘. tiusband stroked his wife's tcar- as I was sayin'—" of cQuf5e_ you 59¢’ 1 glidughg you W9g€1d' once bemre they 1c“ did gglifie 131x19: Lglglggd LII; tohPauII. _ trot her lll such a nervous state how Yorkscrmcd vvry far army, stained cheek as her head rested “'I‘v.'o hours ago?" were running away.” y m“; w m1; w d1 n d Bed 1 t3 “ Ymlve made 9- 13111-1310 111151-1\1<¢‘!" that she had lie-i" blood prf-sstire and the bright. warmth of ine Dev- azainst his shoulder. The eerie “Yeah. They was late on sc- "weul I was!“ obmdmm w the ‘he huve uTzw hm “rugged m“, nu an“ u“ n e 511MB she whispered. "Anr it's all my may‘ ~No_,v.m gm had,“ got on Arms “mm Wm have been “mm? o; me wind geemed loudcu count of the bridge hem. unsafe_.. young people m the tack “at Jan firadlnlualéénd 2y“ c mg up me aroiingl éheutrleéle. P u] could be so fault. Then; Mr. Devercstig chauf- pff at. this station. _ _ riot-hing but a. dream. mocking them. blCAVlllg the snow “They had to go over e bridge mm“ yorwn-d and k, eamest1y_ i0 P “m!” i1 n “J 0 h “h 16111‘. Tony Williams. I introduced Tony drmr 0h HSP-lll flitlihlfily- "M-"imii-iuiv I may with kitty?" 1n fiiful gusts against the windows. that wasn't safe?" "pony, 1 wlildrft ace Mr, Dev- 11191112“ m‘ ed “ch a dumrem funulyi KB-Sflled on. a 011111118 11;!“ iilm here as Mr. Devcrcst DCCJUSQ It, grew colder as 1i. grew darker, asked the smrf‘. 1:111 who had fin- Helen began i0 cry “You said we “I'm trying to tell you. Th0 nest Loni ht, It would have been I , p n s - 131.1311‘: ML?‘ .3 p“ “Karyn k‘ Y0‘? "W161i 10 1-111hk...” and 11.10 f0.l(1_(‘0ll1lill*d to ausc- ally ililiitllflOilffii n11 11111131159 of were going to visit Santa Claus." bridge got fixed." bud unoug 1o sec 111m some 01,114,;- "emni- ‘he 179953121“ h d u, “lousnlmrofjlctlon of B‘ qnqw a e. what d" W“ 111E611 Dcvercst’! Slifilffll)’. wuiciinu between steep ormizinrr lior milk. she said uixusinfzl_v to her mother. Tony gave o. sigh oi’ relief. time unqi gxpluu, 1,1115 who“; [my D13 31111-15 51100 5 c5 5m dance. DOIH- leflhfd 10711-3111. 1101 chauffeur?" Paul interrupted, gen- fir-crmxdcci sicwiwcs. The‘ 513ml’, "You'll have to ask 111p 1M1“ Jan sat silent. {cc-ling helpless in "But. they never did get to the 13h ‘business, but to tell him about Wm be much happmr this Chltfgti Silddtfilly 331163.“ c“ wmfi ulnely astonished, "1 ‘know Tm“. ‘.'i‘3.'.°."1i?? 21:11:: " 115.511.". ti.";.i2...lr2i:".fir: iis.'.:'a'i::~ ..§'“.§'...f'.°.'l. ‘l2? " "".""..'"Y “l...” “z i" "r ho e - rot- on» o» to... " ' ss°°"i.iztr.f..tsrsw..'irz. < . - - ' ~ - ~~ v " 1 1v k ' . .- .‘ . - 1 _ - ~ __ - _ . . n- ln 91111105’. nflh‘. \ --l 01W‘ #116011’ on. hennng the faint sound. music Must. have laeen some sort of an grcilelnglgeg, dnbdoxtlvgiglgePaul waficchxnfifi look "1' V0111’ 186B B5 W“! T” t.“ Y°“.1°",1‘ a5 11 11- 15 B- hflPPy him about a month ago. 'I'hnt'|, npeirih-e icy 1.1.11.1.»- mnde him turn Inc round cv her way siowiy along the slanting accident." _ m3, und evmu-uue laughing~ph, 1 Wmim‘ w§‘g‘m“l1n"§ngn herugyms ‘°_']1°1h1“3' sud dung. _ x, . T001’ Del/amt till r181“. 111i thiZfQ up his coat collar. Wind tore ' 1- floor, As if ihcrefri been a bom: under 11m, cQukh-yt!" ‘Xélodlllélvi; h"! willlwjflhard mm For a mugs lialgagléggllli aglin {Qél-fl-Paxtltlil- atTglge‘ Chlétstinas tree. Iliisisin!" w ~ ' - - — -' ys ice came cenry . . l 1y M. the ton of the our: cir. Jan drew the yonn st d r “May I play with til-e kitty a- it, T011 leaped from his stool -- .9111; told mow seemed to drag at the beside her 1111.11 opened gi.'.1grbs,5(l)r‘:=?_ gain?" she. asked in subdued voice. scndliigyboth cup and saucer flying mes? églxvéagxlasgvxe cuuxfazgilw nunum ms 11m rgsled against 119T Oh. Jun. hi! 101165 "101 H0 Wall's 1° Jon's doubting eztvs: "vheels. 1 “ Pl1$~<.1"1111f1 Obllginc-Iv stood on his Jan made room for her beside the to the floor. His steel grey eyes prucuuup Th”, 1 w“ u1wuys m? It was good to soc the hgms oi‘ hind legs and waved two fat. paws, forehead. them "Mo"! t-‘bristiilhe- morryvnmc and toiie care o! me el- There's Just one present loft on buskct and gave her a. iiandkrr- seemed to bore straight through tending I had everythhfl I Wmwd- ‘ma! XXIX wqpgtlira. darling," Jen Jumped up '62‘; ‘a? figglfitfliignllntgxltziizg the next Nation and Trny was Hcl-rn laug"'-i"r1 in 11111 rl 1111i; .1‘ ft danolc in front of the lit- the young m; 11. '1 smil ud- . h A . c m1 rim e g cue o ., 1 viose o s I thought you were brave enoult “K1 “new 1m. “.195 around h“ he“: to receive m Wm Miss Jm [lad enouoh to find Jae could it-r-t and tried m 11111110111: . "P ._ -- 1.1. wire- own-d door. Iii a. few denly disappeared from his ll . i}. somefhiii-irvilot to cu. ilc was cinl- 1-1111" mo.» .11.». ’l"'i1o\' tar-pod itiinules c1112 antics had the child “You fool!" Tony shouted.“ at wJgiicesttilgaenlTulfiaik miserably into . W" t“ "““”“1"" " 8"“ w be “m” "I'm 9° ‘M! .. Pow-W plow come forward?" 12d ihrouuh. Boiwocri bites he put tcn-tedly for the next 110111". iailching gleefully do you mean by standing there her corner. W: hmugve? itrlexxxfjgsdwhgmggé DQ5111- sfiig“ Y-hyg" Jggrfimdsagfi‘); LJen. sat motionless-unable ere . ra a e w e ‘as rm 1.15 usual qui-siicn... Yes. the nmu With nmziziviiirg slctvii s5 L}; "H0 likes me." ‘Helen said shyly, grinning like a 1111mm? why @4111’; "y 11-11 l‘ 1 d71- 0 o o“ n' am a cow“ v-wmwplhhad 110mm‘ W their e5‘ 1'16!‘ 01111111 “Go on, Jan," whispered Dora. 1Y1 6118186 Iviliiimlvrrd the Girl in 111119 difblilvii on after ihnt. Some looking up at Jan. yon tell me there‘ been an acci- “You. know best whet you can B11105. W110 We"? 51m “c” Wm‘ "$01110." 551d J0"- "0111 11°1- 5° "Don't. you hear Tony calling you?" hiid given up looking :11. the clock "Oi course he does." brled Jan dent when T first name int where do I Suppose 31111 I don-t thmk cap ° i " ' ' ' ' all the problems they hit-d "100 1/0 very much. It's sooner than I ex- A, 1n; die-an), Jun rose and mad, freon. "By Cflckl’. ‘>111 Sh" ‘With t1 D1111" —fi hlbihbrlv‘ luokin" woman came warmly. "We all like y0\l—y<i1l'r¢ was the accident? How badly were it was very bportinl to run off and pot 5h» “@1000 that 1t We peeled. though." her wsy throu n the tables. Tm crne...s1r1ari. too’ Ami 11-11111. she over and :41‘, ‘iosidr- ltr-r. Jui l. k- s11 ill a. good little pirl." But she they hurt?" 1 11 1 " w“ |~ ' no ‘ ” “W Dom ' “wk Dora's lwilrithw Whloh 1W1 00"" "He's so tuoushtfui." Dore sold. blue dress ripped softly about her ihoiizht of 111L- liitli- villcr kitten ed up and v do a awhile. T‘ she had with hm"! Shr- plicher a-holciin’ ii. i111" when Snappy hero was "he Way r1023 do ‘XliPli (there's £1. rcsilossnc unit anywhcrcis nvnvbv" "Tu '.\‘n liivi showed her 111g outside. told me. Soniewhercs along the Dr. Curtis and they would proh- u i; so terrible. I was 11nd she turned quickly to discover But, the inst. words were 10st on There would be plenty of time to an“, but she s“ up really “WES happmoss bu“ apprehmh Bren c‘. 11ml i11(‘_'i'1k('1 sighed is site turned back to the "suy, mister," the young m B i; h h d '1, i t Wilton St-‘Elhcddpcrt- ivindow.‘ now frosted over in gro- said sggrievedliyl. "I'm no recieivihg ‘leav: 13501:! four Tongwrn igpilglnecf. 101101131“ 11"" 1° 1w‘- HW 00111? "and, Jan, don't you think 1-111“ and her face, beautiful and serious, " h” hind-t twi-‘It- Wsqlli‘ patterns. It must be irccz- set! Just 1m accident. that's all they She had been goihq lip to meet Qgyufigijmggggmfomgfflbfifluf“i111;' Fall‘: r11‘: Wmhegd wéaxziegqilchmolémkl‘: w 531d finally‘ A shrink from Helen startled her road...” sbiy 11y back on Christmas day. iéiytggi: fiashjjjlflibfmirfgggthi; 1o£etialsyrltmyei§cd‘ Iizgzyretltxifd hi? 1311a and bgeuiadlerghiiéifledl fixing; c es. W011. hr- was sfill km the :~~1.~l1‘. hurigviiig to my daughter. They that the child had uniastened the Tony “he uluuimed our, 01mg gig- expunn w M15 Devon“ und pm] m h“ wheel aha“ and SW0 or whm me mil“ would bu“. ION“ m. m said softly‘ and ii-uii, Tony rircvo on u-ith invrr-us- tout inc hvv baby is ox ecte‘ t - basket door end that PufiY-Duff tlo d film hi self l to th bf Do h . i-ng dlfiiculiyv. Afici- a “"1131: 11¢- bc- nigh‘? p Q o was leaping in his new-found irec- cm}? T211111; nextgminmes. 1151161655 o? ‘agvft Pallllil':aglengi?lgleDori-u 1mm.- her blue eyes were radiant when xx she obeyed. 'I‘he icr n pin she 11111101111000 m" P001 ‘"05 5°‘ removed, there wesogiscidctbh I; tin‘; M" 10 b9 hiiflili 11W’. h" was no’ Jan. nshitmcri of ‘ner own impa- dom from one chair bank t0 Bhflth- drifting snow, he was driving head- from the hospital today." Tony - ins to who h" lb the Pitt-Y 111m" Jen Jumped when someone be; ieweleru box. Jan's amber oyee on the flttht mild. Thrrc were no iiorcc. said snftiv. er. long around hairpin turns and said. few houses. Ami thrv worr- so “Barn on C simus eve! whet Ooooo-h!" shouted Helen. l-Ie down 1M steep grades of the "Today?" self. , hind her said suddengv. "Here widgned qliggfloniyigly, f“ back from the 103d m“ .1” a hwql’ birth . . You mustn't Bot await" mountain road. Just in front of his It was to be e surprise for Jan. M”! m“- uwm w“ “mm” Em!" 3010K‘- 5110 00111 111m. TV"? "Poul celled you Willis-m An- htrfilthblid t0 1W 10 11-0“ hi‘! i“ \\'01' '- 5hr. returns-d the tired “Oh. D10tl$4>~-" Jen tunied to the headlights he could see Jan's face. Tony told her. Paul had not wunt- 101' Jim 10 11/0 b111- Bbt "Bdy- U)? had slipped into the vacant. place ihouy Dgyqvqgtj’ 5119 muwnured unbroken fie-ids to ask J11 one. Pussy-burr m his basket. and pat- 01.1101‘ 1mssengers. "Help me cotoo framed in soft waving hair that ed im- toknow lint/ll she was ready to that very moment the bed Ne“ by her side. bewildgrgd, "It's a. real old-fashioncci bliunrci." icd the brmul shoulder next to her lii1n." reached her shouldersr. Some- to to the y that Dora. was ‘Vbvflihfl; $119 W0l11d 8°- 000 "hm "Oh, Tony!" she criexi. Then low- "puul w“ right," said Tony. "And h” dwwed" . °"""" . Glad of ebmbthltll; 14> 10110110 1h? times she seemed to be smiling, and to b: at the ristmes celebration, the climax came she would Just ering her voice, "Is Mr. Devercst yuuw/u pyonflged u; be Mrs, wiluugu After what seemed l1ou1~s_ of um- Ailrr a T1111!‘ the- woman moved monotony, the occupants of the u; 011-," 11m" he could Wein- l-iei- iuq To Jln’; quick 111165110“, Tony smile and show she had knowiil here‘); _ Anthony Devereet." lowing in the mlrfliing u-uno he fi\\'21\'il_1l(1 Jun tried milking lip and bus, for the most port. ioiriod 1h golden eyes were looking pleaiding- Qyoplgined that it iml all ‘oeen ar- what was oomhit- They Wbilldht "Yes. But don't you worry iuout 1-19 m1; u" be; 1mm he. m4 was certain soiuethiitz was \\’i‘0il'_'. down 111 front, of uuyntuo smum. the pursuit-ht least they mod» ly at him. ranged dsys before and that evezry- like 1t. very well. findliui out b0)" him. 1 fixed that up all right." out u; u, i... 1,001; u flng, n; w... m The only BGIIMJIG think 1D do ivnr. The snow semir-d to have lightened futile grabs for the cat as he flit- Acumen“ t , even a wheel chair, wus in she had fooled them all. but they'd Juu stared u; 111m unu¢11ev1u;1y_ W111, a 1115111111543 dmmond and u to turn fl-PW-Yld R1111 milk? 111-‘- Wil‘ l" 0111'" i111‘ $10’ was still grov- tfld by- FURY-DU“ 1110118111 1-110? Why had he over allowed her to.l' ell for her little sister Just make the best 0f it; they'd Tony, milling at Dora. ignored breuthlms "Ohi" came from those back to the last station. Just.‘ 1111-11 Tho wind was rising, Jan thought. were 1iinylng and entered into the 11.1111; (or ,1 1111mm 1118mm w.“ not ha“ o’ Con," n. you arm.‘ he sew a. cluster of ltgnis. dim in as shc listrned to its shrill whLst- spirit of tho thing, flying through in u position to take care of her? there," Tony finished y _ right there! But each time much oi the fun?" 11c asked. of its fl ing beauty. But. the distance. Lights mtflrlt it 1'"- hus. Silo “his 21nd enough to get 111c- uir whena hand cameiooclosc. Even on that litst night, why hadilt,’ They were within sight. of ?BNO w. W131 M“ Devwem "-1141 hhl Jan's concern. "Have I missed who mm ed to catch a. glin pee m; the» her thoughts had reached this "some," said Jan. "But it wasn't scarcely looked at, ii. as Tony slip- u, point Jen's heart minlve htr- important. Tiler-ell be lots more. I ped it on her finger. Her eyes were lage. He breathed easier. ‘Th-rrc 111 cut of L110 cold nfzaiil. eluding a. too-confident gesture he turned to her and begged her town now and he slowed down , must ‘be a. bus stop in the town: "Door-ht that. telephone over with feline facility. Heien't tlnkiihs forgiveness? He. had talked like an s big red truck iumbered toward the couldn't. the ewldht, I0 guess." on his feoe and she did not move s. narrow wooden through with it. She wouldnt 80 "Shall I tell him?" Dora. broke them even when he turned to the *"1t1"b0<1y' 115K911. ivhru it laughter was soon echoed in itilf- idiot, Tony told himself bitterly: them perhaps the bus he was trailing ring?" mo“ 1i. the Piiiuvc in the iit- tows from the men end finally ho had allowed her to think he brides. All st once he stopped and to the pert l Now the. she knew D011 W" nod she made the announcement pride end tenderness: was here, waiting for n break in Ff‘?111 in. and without waiting for Jen's audience end said, his voice full of thekiivz-tiiiiiig. Btllifllv ilifnrélrilff: i161? "out bccolmigg" nuwiionflnblv rvcigvbo-iy, oven 1.110 bbricille-“OW rraiiy wanted to '10 mlstaken for ulled on the brake. There was a 1 l me help h t T d I h w t“ m“ ' 01111 0 5.1 ' l.‘ " s v-"mrt m1: . 1,. -~-l -, 1 i; 1 ~- s. aims '~ , _ d , o re was n0 - . n e resse " m a c _'on m)", ry so‘ v smi1u0iii1chvi.zr I m“ m“ {tlhfgsqnsliiillinyzi u 1M)“ 1821-1 P115511" 1'1? htbvdn jgtxuigrlsilcxl. iwlhigusiflg-mflg Tbgyrrmerfihn; tthneckwlndqoiiaeronfizxifi gfnlgt; t0 31g lhl‘ glgrgtiiylilgzgdmgbxnt o? 51,111) e lmlMiss ‘Jun Pgygexzln ha!» Pglllisedlbifi - X "B" ti” 111 w“. folks true-s." rt . n ht 1d but berkihto . hil. w n. it. . i ide, 1 ed i. into ti id iinsered so ow br in: Ma's delight. merry ma. That's 1,1110. isn't ' “SB, 1» the ‘my b '- 111v counter shirt 1.111s” I M 1.0.7. wasn't. 1'1? If .111} héelnggisfi or seine.“ o“ w m curls and fastening a sprig of holly "En. agemmus seem to be in the he added softly to the girl beside A big gruff man Jan had noticed C.lf‘(‘1'1l111.‘v'- ‘11'i work “on that "The child's right." the middlc- see her. speak to her. just once " P011 lookgig or the 171157.. atnone side. thlt D01} "WIN-u sir." en added. "I suppose Mf- im. getting on last. night spoli; sncfii- bqldtgzc ‘cater! i. ucu. dark. 11110111111111 Sfild surkls-nly, what are more! Yes, on this r ...e.boui. fifteen Ifleese hurry, ‘Jan, s e midi] I Dcvegggt, w111 be umiounoingl his For answer grim took a. stcplckos- 1y from title seat RIOS 9 880- 0 '9 011 10W‘ who.» we so (lomnhsarted about? Itfi Above. the hum of his motor, lsb- mlleli beck._I have aliliiflgtfil: ‘Cashi- bmtdg-eh; lggkfifll‘, t0 909 0W lflyolgllfillxhxlshfllggfal; mlgggsgged gfflifllltfiidbzggg. cazglfilferllaliligpera His vcice sounded very loud in Evoryhfitly sfirniuhionrd as tho iouzh, of couise, to be mnrooned 01-1114; thrmigh the heavy snow, an tigers ncro. Th , , tyowd better get on to the And: "Oh! she said. when she lightly. "Jan, will you look the _ "it's g promise." contrast to the lassihudc that had bus driver took clown ihr- receiver. hcre. but 1i.'.vm1'i. be forever. Mimi" ulim soivnd reached his cars. ' overtaken the other messengers. "YeaMWGood! .Okny.. I got all, wore warm and can be com- A moim? others as felt ll Doflhble- "W 53011111- "You look Be i! youd other way while I epqflk Brit/Mill! Flushed and radiant. they tum- " truck drove away and they stepped out of a painting." to Dora?" . ed to see Paul. who had jumped the dress is Laughing, Jan fixed her 8h" 0“ to his feet glass in hand. proposing They looked at him in surrlrist‘; it.” fortoble for a time... A cry? The wen m; cguple Jan had privately He hung up the receiver and In the s1‘ ‘ace that followed. Jan Tony slowed down for an instant sped on in the deep tracks it had “That's the way called "tho honeymooners" stop- started for th" door. "Fro hrklize inlpuisively began t0 51118. Jli-‘it tht sir-aiming to hear over the roar of left across the bridge. Jan turned simposed to look. silly." raid Jim. Mrs. Mellon-d! broad buck acres a. toast to their hIIPIflMSS- "Let's all drink to the bride-tn- s’ safe. Conic on, folks. Stop on chorus of her gay Jingle Bells song the wind. Perhaps it was jugt thut yggolutgly w Tony. kissing her. The dusk red hair the room, _ "Dore," Tony beflhll. "Im in a he!" he shouted. Glasses ciinked their intimate whislvflilitt flhd 1 1:39,,“ w 315m, it. Got i0 miikv uh 101' 1mi- ilmo." under her breath. Then, as she fln- h»; hgd heard. But. no. it was some- "I'm going beck. I dmvt. know had been ceilgtht cure essly on top Haw’ driver!" the man shouted Everybody relieved and laughing, isfied. she was startled at the burst thing 915e, lgain end it seemed a long while scrambled into the bus after hlm. of applause. She looked around ,_ nut, ui 0.111119 shut wag immu- bm," 1,1,, quiver- gngwcrqd, ieolr- ft was like setting home to be set- (iiftmntlv Slble in this lonely waste! He top- home." ed topknot. The idm eym were u an on; rl who hss1ex- Milllord declaring in a vole back contentkdly. ‘The the bus drive-v. “Give us a little stretching out emlptily before narrow village terious. There was e soft knock on I've tapered, and see how it. funerals, I always sey." Zr, sounded like music how we can get there now. but 1'" 01 h“ held. with a. men of little spot. I want to bwiwee 14> l airl all over the room, but. above their got to be beck if Dore is cominB 011118 tumbled into an old-fashion- and I've "never dtglie it before. Now. tinkling Jan clearly heard $4M‘. e A new sort of madness came into a little shadow with fatigue, parlenced a proposal. I want your mingled with wars and bushy: min- his tied i the soft seat. J "T1 t’ ‘th k t, slate ." l ii ed h thiii and th ad y?‘ 9p m“ the ' or w" para-Ema”! m an m‘ c m e r on‘ p t e n“ s“, e holin. Tony's face as he heard her. He making them look lsgze wnd mys- mvice, Mgybe you'll listen to whet Wedidini are even better t ell efiwhat do you want?" stout motiieriy women was in the Christmas cheer." But nowthe etrwnire sound came drove on through the The man's face was red as he seat ahead: Ilelen end her moth-er “it 1's Christmas eve." 501d Jeh- thvough more ciearlv. Singtngi streets with their steep roofed the sitting room door. soun to you I know it. won't be ‘eelized he had t.he attention of n - - t on the front. bus’ but he wen Th9 bus W85 milking 300d 1.11110. you. lwu‘ rm srafl“ embly sure nd father were well up toward "Crim- n11 1m Iierc." invited the The gratitude that enveloped houses blan ‘nus drive-r. "whorl: pccpln can see Tony mad-z- him re-nliu- how mis- first time since he had heard bov who handed her n square hoarse it. anyway." he had been that he Paul's voice that morning he feitwiliio wX- Jan. iurnin: swiftly. opfliiril iicr THE END 1-1 . -\-- . .e~-..» keted in snow. For the "From Mr. Dover-est.” said the no good as Paul's, but lei. me re- (story written by Jane Corbyl