Indeed, before he slept he decided to take that august
position at once, and maintain a judicial impartiality while
noting his impressions.
Christmas Eve happened to be a cold, clear, star-lit night; and
when Marstern drove to Miss Waldo's door, he asked himself, "Could
a fellow ask for anything daintier and finer" than the red-lipped,
dark-eyed girl revealed by the hall-lamp as she tripped lightly
out, her anxious mamma following her with words of unheeded
caution about not taking cold, and coming home early. He had not
traversed the mile which intervened between the residences of the
two girls before he almost wished he could continue the drive
under the present auspices, and that, as in the old times, he
could take toll at every bridge, and encircle his companion with
his arm as they bounced over the "thank-'ee mams." The frosty air
appeared to give keenness and piquancy to Miss Lottie's wit, and
the chime of the bells was not merrier or more musical than her
voice. But when a little later he saw blue-eyed Carrie Mitchell in
her furs and hood silhouetted in the window, his old dilemma
became as perplexing as ever.
Pages:
345
346
347
348
349
350
351
352
353
354
355
356
357
358
359
360
361
362
363
364
365
366
367
368
369