Medford mail tribune. (Medford, Or.) 1909-1989, December 23, 1911, SECOND EDITION, Image 10

Medford mail tribune., December 23, 1911, SECOND EDITION, Page PAGE TWO, Image 10

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Newspaper Page TextMEDFORD MATti TRTltCNE, MRDFORD, ORKflOK KA'l'PKDAV. nWPMMHWR 2il, 1011. PA0T8 TWO . a V 1 Sfttn the 3Haget B Cbrfotmas Ivovc Story By GENEVIEVE KENNEDY Copyrtsht, ISlt, br American rrM Alio elation. RETURNING over nml .nnon to tlio (own which hold the ono tiling desirable to tne, I wns feted In tho usual manner. It Wis Mrs. Jncl: Conlta'a C o'clock that was responsible for the wager which won mo tho wedding, a function I had grown to despair of ever arriving at Ono fino sum mer day, 'boorish ly enough, I was bomtlng the ctupld habit of Main street n primeval and In nllenable habit of blazoning abroad misstatements and woefully garbled versions of "the truth concerning tho matter," what ever the matter might bo. How ever, they spoke truly enough who said of Sue and me, "She's re fused him every TnET'Lt. uatk rs summer for the v - A KXOAOED BEFORE last ten ttr nrirrt Titn "" "- rsD or the Perhaps, because etiieet." o. the precision of tho guess In this Instance, my re marks were more than usually scathing concerning "gossip" In smaller towns generally and tho tittle tattle of Main Btrcct, Hilton, particularly. Til wager," said I to Sue as we passed tho postofllco on our way to Mrs. Jack's tea, "that they'll have us engaged before wo reach the end of the Btreet" Suo's hatred of gossip Is as pronounced as her love for her native town, and what the board walk Is to Atlantic City even so is Main street to Hilton. . "I'll wager," Sue challenged, ignoring my remark, "that I can have and hold against Main street for three months, if necessary, any matter which you may caro to Intrust to me, provided you Bwcar to keep faith also." "You for accomplishing that," said 1, warily reviewing tho weak points of a plot I had in mind. Sue's capacity for silence was the poser in my little scheme. Arriving nt Mrs. Jack's, it was very near the end of tho allotted hour of "gobble and gabble" that I found my self unexpectedly in retreat In nn al cove near tho portlerred entrance to tho dining room. I had blundered upon, a teto-a-tcto between Sue and her Inseparable ally, Mrs. Jack Coplta. "A thousand pardons," I murmured meekly, my eyes on Sue. "A few 1cm will do," she laughed. "There is Mrs. Fish mov ing doorward,and I have something of Importance to pay to her. Walt hero awhile," said Mrs. Jack as she fluttered away, leaving Sue and mo together. Drawing my chair ever such a trifle closer, so that I might the better 'feast my eyes on that adorable faco whoso allurement for mo neither time nor change no r any other crenturo could "bat ever lessen, I said, us at thWheef," "I doto on teas." i heteatkd. "I Judgo you came for that reason," Suo replied. "Do you remember" "I seldom or never do," she Inter rupted. "that little thing," I continued cas ually, "concerning the uselessness of trying to queer one's proportioned oncoming cargo of fate and bow the llttlo stars and tidal waves and other natural impediments aro greatly In error, Imagining that they can butt In between us and our natural belong ings?" "Your translation Into tho vernac ular Is not at all smart," Sue com mented. "And has nothing whatever to do with tho subject I had In mind?' said I. "For what I was wondering is, Aro you going with tho Percys and yours everlastingly, for tho week cud, at the llecf?" "Yes, I believe we're all to go to gether In ho big car. Wo'ro to bo thero in tlmo for dinner nt 8. The llecf is raggedcr and lovelier than ever." "Dear Iteef." said I. "It's rather a coincidence that I tlrst saw you there. Heavens, It was at a picnic of the PercyH, come to think of It." "Yes, but tha coincidence?" Sue queried. "Merely It may bo tho last ptoc I shall co you." That this was my mo ment I knew. Yet but for my past experience of miserable Tradings In shallows and through miseries and my knowledge of soma of tho strong points of Suo'b philosophy I might havo hesitated and forever hnvo lost my venture. "So I'm golug to take your wager," said I. "You remember Holy Iloh?' " Suo nodded, "Ho did take orders and Is curate this year at iho lteef. You may not remember hl penchant for secrecy. At school It amounted to genius. 'I'll die, but not divulge,' was Hob's motto. "Then," continued I, with tho airy unconcern of truo sport, "say Hob marries us." Suo Is so uniformly master of herself she scarce lifted nn eyebrow, and of rn ?3 - iij. BOD UATUUES crfurso It may have Totfli h glTnf bf'thr westering sun that shone In her eyes but I can swear to the shine in them. "Say Hob marries us at tho lteef,' I repented, with nonchainnce, "some time between now and Monday n. m Why, I'll glvo you a month-two. three any tlmo you say for Main street to llnd us out and gossip us to house keeping. I'll stake my life and Hob's that death will find us yet dumb. If I win you lose, may bo. If yon win l lose all," 1 whispered. "If," said Suo slowly, deliberating, chin on hand, "Hob awoars, too, I'll accept the wager. It's as good na lost to you, though. I have, ami still do hold, matters of mere or less moment and less streuuously guarded than this will be, which have never reached the ears of Main street." "This Is the 23d," said I. "Two months from tomorrow will bo Christ mas eve. 'Merry Christmas, I mur mured nntlclpatlvely. Won't I look sweet nil done up In llssuo paper nud Vanta Claus seals and holly ribbon? Hut supposing 1 shouldn't. Suppose 1 loser' "That Is the end," Bald Suo tersely. I tried to read In her Inscrutable eyes ever so small a hint of Interest In Main street gossip. Sho smiled slightly and repeated her creed. "Se rene I fold my bands and wait, nor care" A sound as of mullled scrap ing nnd a sharp click caused us to turn toward tne por tlerred alcove. Then somo ono joined us. I have but n pipe dream of tho whirl Into tho Reef that night; a memory of a delicious sense of having to sit gloriously closo to Sue in tho well tilled car; a sunlit Sab bath spent In hazy October woods and at midnight a sol emn ceremony In a dim lit church, minus music or flowers or faces, save only three; the exchnngo of and farewell. -N iJi "I rAIKLT riEKCED II I M WITH r QUESTION IXO GAZE." a written pompact I did not sec Sue again. for I had to leave the Reef at dawn to make my train. According to agreement, wo ex changed no letters. The days followed each other with uneventful regularity. News that Is, the news I strained my ears to hear came out until It seemed as though a cursed fate slew all the little birds that tell things on Main street. Sue preserved a slenco which I doggedly forbore to break. Week after week, day after day, brought no sign nor tho faintest breath of rumor till three days before Christmas, when there came a note from Mrs. Jack, which read: "I am having a surprise party for Suo Christmas eve. Fall me at your peril." Had Mrs. Jack met me with a tri umphant air as of "one who knows" I was prepared to have bugged her on the spot, but her bubbling mirth, can did and unsophisticated, struck chill to my heart as she proceeded to enjoy "the surprise" sho was giving Sue. Sue's back was toward the door as Mrs. Jack announced me. She turned, and for an instant I fancied her faco paled. Perhaps It was but the reflection of my own. Then tho dear, resolute' chin lifted, and she calmly bade me welcome. Tho only other members of the party were Jack Coplta, Mr. and Mrs. Percy and tho Rev. Robert Clemmons. As I grasped Bob's band I fairly pierced him with my question ing gaze. But his face was unrespon sive, I fancied a bit pitying. I turned hopelessly away. "TOE PARTY AIIODSD TJIE TAW.F8 LIS TENED U II E A T Jl-I.EHSI.V." "weet bells Jangled hut it wasn't. Sue Here," said I to myself, "endeth tho first lesson." At dinner I found myself at Mrs. Jack's left. Suo was next mo and Bob directly op posite. The gar ishly diminutive Christmas t r e o seemed mocking mo from its icy luko in tho cen ter of tho table. Everywhere wero holly and mistle toe, but across tho happy bum of voices there floated to mo a sound as of out of tune." had evidently heard it also. Her llttlo hand uncon sclously touched ray sleeve. In the alcove near the portlerres Syd, tho Ir repressible ten-year-old Coplln, stood near n tublo which held a big talking machine. "It's a little surprise Syd has been saving for Hue's party," ex plained Mrs. Jack. "It was a surprise to mo also till a week ugo, when I wax Clark & Wright LAWYEBI WAHINdTOW, JO. O, Public Land Matters: Final Proof, Desert Lands, Contests and Cases. Scrip. Mining Assocjate Work for Attorneys. hunting for tho tout blank rwuni WouW .voh like ti hear ItV The vl.ur ued respoiw was nil In the nlllnun ttve. "All right, son." and she noddiHl to Ryd to proceed. A sharp click, n preliminary mulllwl scraping at S.ul itdJiKUnl I lip record Sue shot nt iu one look of startled up- prehension ih from the bnueu m o it t h of tho bom came nn In distinct murmur of voices nml clatter, then my voice, I o w. but unmlstnkultl-o: "Say Hob mar ries us nt the lteef some time between now and Monday a. m. Why, I'll glvo you a month two, three any lime you say for Main street to -. Ly. kr i 'j 'SIIK TOlTlir.ll IIKH tlud in out and "s ",M 4" " gop us to hou-ekeeplng. Til stake my life nnd Hob's." the metallic who of my voice ran on, "that death will And us yet dumb. If I win you lose, maybe. If you win I lose nil." The party around the tahlo llstvned breathlessly as one waits the denoue ment of the third act. It came ns Sue's voice replied ulearly nnd deliberately and withal a trifle linwlly. "If Hub swears, too. I'll accept tho wager." Mrs. Jack broke tho spell. "That wfll do, Syd." she gurgled. "Hold up your hnnds, Sue. IJist Friday I went to the lteef and while Mrs. Percy sang to Rob I secured the Key of tho church and searched the register." Then. springing to her feet, glass high lu utr, Ml ! '-' Itecr, the lo-for of Hie wngi'r, my dour est friend Mrs. Ted Mootv"' SlU touched her gltm rliu to mine a'11' gracefully, gloriously nurrendorod "Yet!," who nodded comprolictislvoly. and o In response I (oaMod. "The iihlqiiMous, tlio nil pervading, rtio over Weired Main street and Its providing genius, true sou of hli mother-Syd Copltn." "Hut whatever inndo you think of iho blank roOord, SyiM" asked Suo "Well," replied her youtigot adorer, "there was such n racket when inuui had one of her titi lights on I thought It would bo fun t g't It and let hor hear It sivno time for a surprise may be her birthday. Hut I guess I got too clte to ywu and Mr. Moore there, nud of course If he wouldn't split on you I wasn't n-goliig to. Only for muiu I'd died and kep' It dark too. Hut It wasn't a Iku! surprise for your party, was It, Sue!" Later, In the recess afforded by that ever blessed alcove. Suo assured mo that If I would but loosen my nnin enough to permit her to breathe she would tell me what sho thought of It tho surprise, sho meant, of course. "And as a small nsset to start house keeping on," 1 whispered, "would I do for a Chrlstmns box without tlio holly ribbon r I'm afraid her answer tightened my arms again, but the memory of Its thrilling sweetness will ever be to me tho most exquisite music of all the bells of all the Chrlstmnstldes. TO CURB A. COX.S XK ONE SAT Take LAXATIVU ItltOMO Qutnlno Tab lots. DruKKlntK rufiuul money If It fall to cure. Ii W. a HO VIS'S signature la on each box. 25c. M.o bride of ttu- HMklns for health. L. N. JUDD Orchards, Homes nml Farms In n Thriving Center In ono of tho (.liinlon Sputa ot lluguo Htvor Valley, TAIiKNT, OltKCJON . v srsrsWNjNtA') tmk pnmaiiuiw tnyCTtratr. PLUMBING BTIJAM ANI HOT WATER H MATING All Work duarnte4 Prices ReaaoMbU M novrnnl HlocJr, Katrnac ob 0th Btrcct. Coffeen & Price Faclfio 8081 IIobm Bt sss NoyesS Black HOTHK AM) 8ION PAINTINfJ Up-to-Unto Auto nud Carrlngo Painting, Gold Loaf Signs nnd Interior Decorating a Specialty. Shop nml Offlro 8. tiropo nnd 10th 8t. Otflco Phono 7771. Res. 731. All Work Postllvoly Guaranteed. fffrrffffffffffrffrffffffffrfffffff fffffjfrffrrffrfffffPfffffffffffffffrffffftffjj .., Page Woven Wire Fence All sizes of Page Steel Gates . . Garden and Poultry Fences ' ( Economy Lawn Fence First class R. F. D. Mail Boxes . End and corner posts Northern cedar fence posts Call on or write us for Everything in the fence line. GADDIS & DIXON "TIIE PAGE FENCE MTJN" PHONE 2G8L Distributors for Southern Oregon a nd Northern California. MAIN OFFICE, 134 NORTH RIVERSIDE AVENUE, MEDFORD, ORE. r Every Boy and Girl Can Now Earn Their Christmas Money THE MAIL TRIBUNE Has so changed the conditions of the subscription contest that each boy and girl will receive a share of the prize ' money, or 35 CENTS For Each New Subscriber Turned in for three months' subscrip- 1 1 -rrMMtTtNHttMf W!-i . A Full Line of Peerless Lamps i All KimrniiMUHi. Now in Iho Mine lo koI. your hoimo ! wired. Good light ucUIh to ! tlio comfort ol! winter j! iiionllm. ji Southern Oregon iilOGtrlG Co North Grapo Street. & tfw4rirwr4 J? JUL OL National Bank -of MEDFORD, OREGON CAPITAL STOCK $100,000.00 Surplus and Undivided Profits $58,000.00 Ihitod States and Postal Savings Depository We soliou your business, which will receive our caro- ful attention. F. K. Douol, Prosidont M. L. Alford, Coshior Orris Crawford, Assistant Cashior w tion to start within the next months th ree Call at the Mail Tribune office and get con test blanks and see how easy it is DncxwckdCoiii gC HHliV EStJK&J i'MKn i niimuw 'mjiii ' - h 7 (i (I HAPPY is the woman who is never unpropnrod who can always lay a nice appetis ing invnl or HkM luncheon lioforo nny K.uu't unoxpoctoJ or not. Hor frlemln prnUo her for her houROWlfoljr qunl tiles nml alio feola Hint dclUhtfiil antlsfnctlon which can only coino from hospitality ix'rfcctly done. HPhe secret lies in having a , well chosen selection of canned goods and table dainties always at hand. Look over our stock the best of the kind in the town and mako a selection today. Then put your fear in tho cupboard for you will be prepared for any company come when it may. ALLEN GROCERY CO. 8 0-10 8 . O K N T It A L A V U , lift r w IVJ SUNSET ( (0GDEN & SHASTA I V R91JTES ROUTI3 Ol "ROAD OF A THOUSAND WONDERS'1 Kxciirwloii Tickets Coating CALIFO RNIA IH I-'AMOUH TUK WOULD OVICU VOll 1TH HlTiKNDII) IIOHTKL ItlKH, 1TH VAltIKi) ATXIIAO. TIONH, ITS FINK IIKAOJIICS, HOT Hl'JtlNOH AND I'MIAHUItlS 111 MOUTH -KHAOIIKD WITH I5A8K IIV TIIIO SOUTHERN PACIFIC SHASTA LIMITED $55 rorllaiid to Loh Angeles AND RETURN , On Halo dally, Reed alx months with Btopovora jjolng or roturnltig. CorroBpondlng low fares from othor Oregon polntH. Call on our ngonta for irniKlHoinoljr HIiiHtniled LIU'rMhiro"de8orlbInB"Sim""FmnclBCO, Oakland, Mt. TanlnlpalB, llorkoloy, Stanford Unlvorslty, San Joho, Lick OhBorvutory, Santa Cruz, I)ol Monto, Paso Rabies Hot Springs, Santn llnrbara, XiOs AngoloH, PnHiiiIonn, Long Roadi, Vonlco, Rlvor nlilo, RodlandB, San Dlogo, tho Old Spanluh MIbbIoiib, YoBOmlto Na tional Park and Dig Troes, and many othor plucoa of JntoroHt In tho Ooldon Sluto; or wrlto to ,r,1F JOHN M. SCOTT, Oonoral Pasongor Agont, PORTLAND, ORE0ON, , VA v Jk. . ,i-t