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Show CHRISTMAS OFFER HE DID NOT ACCEPT X10RALD HENRY, who was pass-y pass-y ing the winter in one of the small countries of southeastern Europe, had only to express the desire to meet some of the young ladies of the capital cily when be was Immediately Imme-diately invited to a Christmas party given ostensibly for the children, but iu reality to make an impression on him. The entire C family was there with all their relatives, and thirty thir-ty -children with their parents. A gorgeous gor-geous Christmas tree had been prepared pre-pared with decorations from America, and imported presents for ail the guests. When Gerald arrived he was ushered Into the grand salon, and sealed on a divan with Marietta, t lie daughter of the house. A score of doting mothers raised jeweled lorgnettes to I heir noses and followed every move he made. Soon it was suggested that he and Marietta step into, the garden alone. The air was heavy with the fragrance of tropical flowers; a foun tain splashed in its marble basin; and below, i he town was like a fairy city In the fading light. "How beautiful." exclaimed Gerald. To which Marietta replied In her broken English: "Did you-say-that-I am-beautiful ?" He turned and looked at her. No, under no circumstances could she be termed beauliful. unless a Iwo-huu-dred-pound debutante Is beautiful. He led her carefully back to the house. After a sumptuous dinner, during which the lorgnettes never ceased to concentrate on Gerald, he was again led aside, but this time by Marietta's brother, who said : "You know, you are a lucky chap. My family will be willing to give you Marietta for a wdfe with eighty thousand dollars, as a dowry. Or perhaps." he added, "we could give a little more." Poor Gerald never knew what he replied, re-plied, nor how be left the house, but all bis friends were sure he did t lie proper thing. That night as he strolled alone along the brilliant promenade, and listened to the orchestra between the trees, bis th-.'ughts turned wistfully wist-fully homeward to an old-fashioned ! New England Cbrstmns with driving snow, jingling h--Ils, ruddy cheeks, cheery voices, hol,' and mistletoe, and girls who married Ti-v love and not position.- II. Lucius Cook. ((c). 19 26. Wostcrn Newspaper Union. ) |