Show r u r 7 F 1 L' L n r v tI t r ra tit By L LYN YN CONNELLY T THE HE sharp wind lashed furiously A about Larrys Larry's head and shoulders shoulders shoulders ders flirting momentarily with the idea of sending his brown fedora spiraling down the street but he sensed its capricious tendencies and held the brim of his hat tightly between between between be be- tween his forefinger and thumb as he heran heran heran ran toward his car parked on the opposite corner It would be the last time hed he'd beat that particular path he thought grimly It was Christmas Eve and everybody was in a gay and anticipatory anticipatory anticipatory antici antici- mood Everybody that is except Larry He had been reasonably reasonably reasonably reason reason- ably happy until that morning when the whole world seemed to have crashed about him Opening the thedoor thedoor thedoor door of the car he slid in behind the wheel and started it toward home The face of Silas Henning until f fifteen teen minutes aj ago o his boss came cameto cameto cameto to his mind and again he heard the words that he dreaded to repeat to Rosine I uI know youre you're not happy in your work Larry and its it's riot not fair to either one of us when you dont don't put your best efforts into what youre you're doing I think therefore that I you'd better go elsewhere for a job Today's as good a day as any to sever connections Fired on Christmas Eve Of course what Henning had said was v true Larry wasn't happy being a bookkeeper at Morrisons Morrison's appliance shop He had always yearned to be bea a writer and wrote numerous short stories during his spare time When Rosine told him of their expected expected expected ex ex- second child he had taken the j job b at Morrisons Morrison's through sheer desperation No longer could they live on their savings He considered the job as temporary but it had JI lid t s r rf 1 r i k He picked up the letter at the same time she answered Truth Trull magazine lasted seven months with still no prospects of entering the field he desired Henning had seemed sympathetic sympathetic sympathetic sym sym- pathetic although he had cooled suddenly the past week Perhaps in his daydreaming he had been inaccurate inaccurate inaccurate inac inac- curate in his figures At least Henning Henning Henning Hen Hen- ning spared him any embarrassment if that were the case but he could have waited until after the holidays to fire him And Bob thought he worked for Scrooge h he mumbled pulling up before his house T IS feet dragged as he trudged 1 11 1 toward the door He mustn't tell her tonight he decided He hoped he was capable of carrying off an act until the day after Christmas Opening Opening Open Open- ing the door he let himself in as unobtrusively as possible Rosine was on a step ladd ladder r in the living room decorating the tree while Chuckie aged five sat on the floor agog at the proceedings Hello darling his wife called out gaily He tried to equal the happiness happiness happiness hap hap- in her voice as he replied then kissed Chuckie and started for forthe forthe forthe the kitchen Theres a letter for you on the radio Rosine said From whom His heart henrt leaped hopefully at her words and he hurried hurried hurried hur hur- ried toward the radio He picked up the letter at the same time she answered answered answered an an- Truth magazine It was from Truth His hand trembled trembled trembled trem trem- bled as he opened it Dear Mr Shannon he read aloud Our mutual mutual mutual mu mu- friend Silas Henning recently submitted one of your articles for our consideration We Ve believe it shows promise and since we were given a splendid recommendation by Mr Henning we are writing to ask if you would be interested in a ajob ajob ajob job in our editorial department If so call for an interview this week The telephone was ringing but for a moment Larry and Rosine merely stood as though mute staring staring staring star star- ing at each other Larry became conscious of the bell first and picked up the receiver It was Mr Henning Henning Henning Hen Hen- ning laughing he heartily Bet I had you worried eh Larry Mr Henning I didn't know how did you Larry was tongue Rosine walked to his side putting one arm gently about his shoulder I UI found that tha t article you wrote on your son and the atomic age and sent it in to Asherton Henning ex ex- Hes a good friend of mine and editor of Truth Well Vell I wont won't hold you ou Larry Just wanted to wish you a merry Christmas Merry Christmas Mr Henning Kenning Hen Hen- ning Larry said as the telephone clicked at the other end Merry Christmas Christmas and and thanks for the best bestone bestone bestone one Ive I've ever had |