Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 39, Number 334, 7 December 1914 — Page 15
THE RICHMOND PALLADIUM AND SUN-TELEGRAM; MONDAY, DEC. 7, 1914
PAGE THREE
ill"'! L. fSt) lli f
Rosalie O. Mendel
fTT 1 busy one for the Whartons. I The big old fashioned trunk
" stood in the middle of tho O .-.I room. Ah Katherine spread
tissuo paper over tho black
ilk drew, neatly folded on the top tray, ho heard her mother say for toe fifth time within the hour, "I just can't Snake up my mind to loave you alone for
tne (Jhristniiis holidays."
) "Now, mother," proclaimed the girl
an ner lull sweet voice, "it is all settled that you are poing. Your trunk is nearly packed. Tho expressman is ordered your ticket is bought, and I have no doubt that a regiment of your doting relatives are already at the depot waiting to meet you. So put your heart and eoul in tho trip and stop worrying about leaving to her own resources for a few idays your perfectly capable, full-grown daughter." Mrs. Wharton, gazing lovingly at her beautiful daughter, said, "You who have been under a nerve strain all winter teaching those restless youngsters, are the one who nee. I the trip not I." "It is not my parents who are going to celebrate their golden wedding," said Katherine, "it is yours. Just think how you would feel if you couldn't be at the family reunion at 0 great and rare an occasion." "If only we both could go," sighed the little lady wistfully as she tacked a jet ornament on her lust year's hat. "That is out of tho question," declared Katherine, "wo had to scrimp and plan enough to get your ready, Idenr. With our meager lifo insurance money and my teacher's modest check, wo can 't do much in the way of traveling, can we?" "No, I suppose not." answered the mother plaintively with a pucker between her eyes. "I wouldn't mind so much leaving you if it weren't for the Christmas holidays. All young folks ehould be celebrating and having a jolly time. I fear, you will be lonesome, because we are unacquainted in this ptrange city." j "Oh, I shall manage all right, dear," proclaimed Katherine cheerfully, r..s she took a last look in tho closet to be pure nothing was forgotten. "I am not the kind to sit with my hands in my lap find mope and indulge in self-pity. Jl shall read, sew, write letters and go Christmas window - wishing. Maybe Ome of the neighbors might, call. The people in the apartment below appear to be nice and sociable. Tho little boy la in my room in school. The time will frun away; so don't let me hear another Word on tho subject," commanded the
pirl with assumed sternness, as she bent ever the woman and playfully pincheii )ier pretty white cheek. Then, after a few moments' hesita lio, the fond mother said wistfully, I'Have you quite decided about llarrv Walker, child? This Christmas Feason tnight have been a different one for you." "I believe so. mother," answered the irl as she lowered the lid of the trunk Bnd turned tho key. "I might love tlarry well enough to live with him. ut tho man I marry I want to love Fo well that I can not live without lim." ! "Are you sure that you know your jown mind that you will not regret Jpour decision?'' iiopiir. .1 Mrs. Wharton. "No, that is the trouble. I am not fcortain whether wlint 1 feel for Harry
Ss love or friendship and do want I to bo sure. Sometimes when the school! days are long jimI hard, when every -j
thing goes wrmi;; l':oin tho minute, that Tony Hawkins comes dragging in ten minutes after the tardy bell hai rung until the time wli-m Husy (Jrubbs break tho ink bottle the hist thing in the r.ftornoon; when we have to worry our poor hoadu over tho inevitable rent, pas, clothes, ct cetera, bills. Then in the back of my leaiti, I wonder if I have quixotic uition-j rn the subject of xr.arriago, and if 1 shall ever feci anv
warmer affection for anyone than I doj
lor liarry. ''J like him tremendously," went on i K.itherino, "ami rt. i --. him dreadfully; n:aco he hns deeidod not. to come again;
matrimony as your romantic daughter
However, I promise you," she added, "that I shall give the matter duo and serious consideration, and who knows but maybe Christmas will send mie a
(Jupid to help me learn my own mind. At six o'clock that evening after waving a cheerful farewell from the station platform to Mrs. "Wharton, Katherine returned to their cozy little apartment ami prepared supper. Clearing aww tb few dishes-, she brought
out her work basket, drew a rocker under the lamp in her bedroom, and planned to spend a quiet and restful evening after the past strenuous week. "Hardly an exciting Christmas Eve," she mused, "but maybe next year at this time things will be a little brighter. ' ' Suddenly the girl sat erect in her chair. She heard a peculiar noise that sounded as if it came from the library, a drip, drip, drip. "Am I getting nervous and imagining things? " Katherine asked herself in disgust. But still the noise continued only a little louder than before. Standing up and breathing hard, she heard the drip, drip, drip change to what sounded like the rushing of water. She hurried into the library and beheld streams of water pouring in from the apartment above. "Oh!" sho cried aloud, in dismay, "the water-pipes upstairs must have burst and our walls and carpets and every thing will bo ruined. Quickly running upstairs she rang the bell and pounded at the door of tho apartment, but not receiving a response, she realized that no one was at home. Then she flew down to the apartment below her own. At the first ring of the bell, the door opened and sho looked into the dark, clear-cut face of a tall young man. "Oh, please get the janitor or someone, quick!" she said with a childish appeal in her upturned face. "A pipe has burst. I live upstairs. Our place will be overflooded. Before she had finished the man answered in a deep, rich voice, "I'll find the janitor at once, and then I'll come up to see if I can be of any assistance to you." On entering the Wharton home a few minutes later he found Katherine busy with a pail and dipper, mops and rags. "Here, let me help," he said as ho came to her rescue. "By George, this is a flood! It reminds me of 'Doctor Foster who went to Glouster in a puddle of rain!" For two hours the man and the girl worked over tho deluge. Then, as they both sank down on the couch, Katherine
exclaimed, "I thank you so much. I don't know what I should have done
without your help. May I ask to whom I am indebtedf" "You are not indebted to anyone," responded the man, with a twinkle in his eye. "In fact, I am under obligations to you for saving me from a most dreary, impossible Christmas Eve. I came here this afternoon from my home town expecting to surprise my sister, who lives downstairs. Imagine 'my dismay on my arrival to find that she and her family had left the city for the Christmas holidays. As I am a stranger I had no other planjs for spending the evening. When you called on me in your distress, you found no more lonesome man on land or sea than Edgar Horrick. That is my name and yours ia Miss Katherine Wharton." "How did you ever know thatt" gasped the surprised girl. "That's easy," explained Herrick, observing her appreciatingly as he spoke. "I have heard almost all of your history. My young nephew, Grant Herrick, has the good fortune to be in your class this year. We correspond. He writes regularly and in detail about
'my teacher, Miss Katherine Wharton, what lives upstairs from me! ' He has
lost his boyish heart to you. He confided in mo that he likes you best in your pink blouse because it matches
your cheeks."
"Then you must be Grant's author uncle who writes story books and puts Grant in them," stated Katherine. "The very same," responded Herrick, rising, placing his hand on his chest and making a deep bow. ' ' Grant has also spoken a great deal about you. I thought it likely that I might meet you some day," laughed Katherine, "but I never expected that
you would assume the role of a life
saving crew that you would save mo from a watery grave." Then in a serious tone she added, "I
do want to thank you, Mr. Herrick. You have been verv kind."
"I reallv have had a great time, Mi9s
Wharton," answered Herrick enthusiastically, "but as a reward for services
rendered I ask you to allow me to continue this rather unconventional acquaintanceship. ' ' ' ' I don 't see how I can do other
wise, was Aathermo a iranic admission, "although I suppose water pipes
and a small absent nephew are rather ir
regular means of introduction. But I am sure, even Madame Grundy might make some allowances at Christmas
time, especially since we both are lonesome, are neighbors and have Grant in common. Don't you think bo?"
"I most certainly do," replied Edgar warmly. Then shaking hs,nds with the girl and looking into her brown eyes, ho added with a warm smile, "I had intended returning home tomorrow, but owing to circumstances over which I havo no control, I have decided to remain indefinitely. If you will allow roe I shall call for you tomorrow morning and we shall have one big Christmas day together. Will youl" "Yes," answered Katherine softly, with a pleased look of anticipation. After Herrick had left Katherine stood in the library and gazed sadly at the damage the water had done to the walls. Going to her bedroom, she took Harry Walker's photograph from her dresser, stared at it long and thoughtfully and then, with a dubious shake of her head, placed it back again. Christmas day was one of the happiest that the girl had ever spent. In the morning Herrick and she took a long brisk walk in the clear crisp air. Then they Btopped at a restaurant for a real Christmas dinner. In the afternoon they went to the matinee, seeing a pretty play entitled "Love at First Sight." After the theatre they returned to Katherine 'a home and ate a ' ' pot-luck ' ' cold supper from the kitchen table. Wien it was time for Edgar to leave he said, "I never knew before what a blessing a broken water pipe might be." That night before retiring Katherine again stared at Harry's picture long and thoughtfully, but this time she took it from her dresser and placed it on her desk at the other end of the room. The following morning Katherine telephoned to the landlord, explaining the damage that had been done to the walls. He refused absolutely to repaper the room before spring. "If that man won't do it, I will
paper the walls myself," decided Kath
erine as she hung up the receiver.
"Mother would be miserable in such a
looking place." Having reached this decision, she proceeded to carry it out. Hastening to a wall paper store near her
home, she selected an artistic but inex
pensive pattern. By noon the paper and paste were delivered and the energetic young woman, enveloped in a
large blue-checked apron, was busily engaged in measuring, cutting and hanging wall paper. On hearing a loud knock on the door, Katherine called out, "Who is there?" "It is Herrick. I cams to find out if there are any more waterfalls in this apartment." A
The Xmas Store of Good Eats At this, the greatest time in all the year, this always to the front confectionery is now ready with a big assortment of all the good things that go to complete the "make up" of a perfect Xmas. Candies in Boxes and Bulk Nuts, Fruits, Ice Cream and Ices, all of which we have a good supply and we would be more than pleased to supply your wants during this Xmas season.
MURRAY DISPLAYS HARVARD GAME
Local sportdom will have the opportunity of seeing the Yale-Harvard foot-
Buy at Finney's Your Xmas Candies we have a good supply, always fresh, at 15c to $1.00 the pound. Assorted Nuts of the best grade, all perfect ; no bad ones. Dates and Figs, the best the market affords. Fine Fruits of all kinds. Stick Candies for Xmas tree decorations. Fine Box Candies the Famous Johnston's, Bryn Mawr and Lowney's makes. MAKE THIS STORE YOUR XMAS STORE. We Welcome You.
ball game tonight at the Murray, as cots, prominent people who attended I played recently in Yale's wonderful i tho sam(k thp Bn-ke rt, ua
rT v,.i .v.it, v,t. " ' -...-w.e,
in. iiuc Ukn i y nil ii li(XO LdUot u
much talk the country over. Several features will be shown, such as the respective captains and coaches, mas-
Harvard students after the game, also the seventy thousand spectators which witnessed the game.
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t.ntil I frfnd for him. Hut whim 1 think
-a 1 w a v ;
if lirinc with liitn ahva
always mavio even until our golden' vvjhig car. I can't decide to marrv ', liim." " ; "That incpfion you must settle for; yourself, daughter. It is your own lift? f that yo: must lead a.ud f would not un " dalr jit to influence you. Hut I must pa" that I consider Harry a splendid
man one whom I feel confident woulu maVf a good, kind husband for you. I Ithirik if. would he well not to be to diastr in your final decision. " i "Oh, you dear old thing," laughed 'Kftthnrine, hugging her mother imluctuoaslv, "vou think it is the dutv
tof a practical mother to give me worldly j words of wisdom, but down deep in the I 'bottm of your heart you have the' ,tmc ideas on the questions of love and
atiffieS IP II hi sines Make
PracttlcaB Gifts Sec our big showing ol Prelty Plumes and Feathers DpS for Xmas, all of which we are now offering at just 2 "
Sale for tons Week
of New Trimmed and Untrimmed Hats
A Big
FRIENDS SURPRISE YOUNG BUCKNER ECONOMY, Intl., Dec. 7. Twentyeight friends surprised (Jail Huckncr, 18, at the beautiful country home of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Cain Thursday evening. The unsuspecting young jnan, who was with. Mr. Cain at the liarn, waa called to tho house, ostensibly to answer a telephone call, but Inside found a house full of jolly friends An oyster supper was served late In the evening. Mr. Buckner is "well known in the township, having erked for Mr. Cain for two years.
One lot of Trimmed Hats, 2f AA reg. $3.50 value, special at V JL9V
Other untrimmed hats go at Half Price Untrimmed Hats at, each 50c and $2.00 Children's' trimmed hats at $1.00 to $2.00
39 North Eighth Street.
II..IL; ! UIJHIIIU.I
Ml(uleip9s
39 North
Eighth Street.
it?
fife Christmas Store
the Seui6le Gift.
&ke Sweetest
A Dainty Box of Delicious Bryn Mawr Chocolates Mother, Sister or Sweetheart, everyone would appreciate a box of these delicious sweets. Our Xmas display is now ready and we would be pleased to show the many
i styles of Boxes we
have on display priced from 60 c To
$5.00
Dine at Finney's During the holidays when up town doing your Xmas shopping. What's the use to go home, then come back again just stop in and partake of the best lunch you ever ate. We always have plenty of good things to eat and with our prompt and courteous help we assure you that you will enjoy a very pleasant noon hour at our store. Ladies Rest Room Always Open And You Are Always Welcome.
ICE CREAM AND ICES We would advise that you place your orders early for your Xmas Ice Cream and Ices so as to be assured of prompt delivery.
INN
EY
919 IVIain.
Auto Delivery.
Phone 2734
CRAWF01D
528 Main Street
Richmond
For Xmas Gifts
Before the
Do GliristmasGive Her
Rush
Most attractive are the Furs and Fur Sets we are offering in our Christmas display. We have most any kind you may want at any price you wish to pay.
Beautiful Hand-Painted Jap. China The best assortment we have ever placed on display. See our Jap Baskets, Jap Toweling and Lunch Cloths, Jap Lamps and Shades, Chinese Baskets, Sacquer Trays, Pretty Silver and Glass Novelties, 50c to $1.50.
Christmas Sale of Fiee IRqgs BUY NOW AT BIG SAVING PRICES. Velvet Rugs, size 27x54, now only $1.19 Axmlnster Rugs, size 27x54, now only $1.85 Axminster Rugs, size 36x72, now only $3.70 Make This Your Xmas Shopping Store.