| Show WM v K BY MAMA BANNING THOMAS CAROLINE AROLINE told herself a dozen C I 1 times a day that she did not care whether she heard from stephen or not what possible difference could it make now after au all these months of silence and here it was christmas eve not a mes message sagel not a cardl card oh well she turned away from the window one must not allow ones one self the luxury of regret fires burned brightly on the hearth holly hung above the martel mantel snow outsize out sioe cheer that was all she required she hummed a tune in false gayety gaiety A ring at the door stephen no just a messenger boy with a box boil carolines fingers crackled the red cellophane unwrapping it no card just crazy dozens of jigsaw jig saw pieces she walked restlessly about the room then she returned to the box black and white pieces only idly she fitted a few together leaned closer and frowned familiar handwriting hand writing stephens hand writ ing excitedly she bent above the puzzle fitting the rest together gradually stephens clear strong writing stared up at her dear caroline it read if you have the patience to put thi this s together I 1 shall know you are still interested in me I 1 could not tell you what I 1 wanted to before I 1 left because I 1 was not sure of circumstances but now I 1 know I 1 can take care of you will you marry me caroline A yes would be the most marvelous christmas present in the world I 1 love you stephen she laughed a little she cried a little then she went to the mantel and snatched down a photograph of herself this she cut up into small jagged pieces on several she wrote a single word which when put to gether read 1 I have gone all to pieces missing you then on the mouth of her pictured face she added the single word yes these pieces she quickly wrapped up in the box sent to her and dispatched it by a messenger who admitted that a gentleman had given it to him who was staying at the inn in town in another hour caroline was not alone with her bright fire and holly and christmas eve was what it should be stephen declared he had been too seared scared to come himself and sent the puzzle as a test case then he kissed her if 0 ater per vron |
