Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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i l Page Eijrht SECRETS By Hal Marquette M IDGE AND BILL were standing in front of Landsbury’s depart ment store, window wishing. Sud denly, Bill looked down at the side walk as his foot nudged the object he had dropped. “Fumbler,” he said under his breath and glanced tow’ard Midge. She was gazing intently at the toys and did not seem to notice when he stooped to pick up the billfold and slyly put it into his pocket. Other wise . . . “Bill, look,’’ Midge was saying as she pointed to a large doll dresser. “Why the interest in toys .... Now if . . .” He was hunting for words to hide his nfitation. Midge felt a slight warmth come to her cheeks and her heart be gan to pound. For a second she wondered if she could finish his ‘now if and tell him here and now. She wondered if they could be think ing of the same thing. They continued on their way back to the apartment. Bill was glad and relieved when Midge suggested coffee. That would give him time to examine his find “I didn’t find that billfold, f Midge,” he stammered. f In privacy. That’s what he’d planned to tell her if she ever questioned him. He’d never kept anything from Midge before, excepting . . . But, he'd been young and had paid society . . . Bill trembled as he thought of the "fumble” back there on the street. What if ... He waited until he was sure Midge was busy with the sandwiches before he got the billfold from his overcoat pocket. Finally, after what seemed an eternity, he was examining its con tents. Here was more money than he’d ever had m his hands before. S UDDENLY Bill heard Midge’s voice. It seemed to come from far away and then to crash in his ears. ' “Bill, why don’t you answer me . . . And whatever have you there? He tried to get the billfold into his pocket before she came to his side. But again there was a fumble. "Oh, oh . . . Midge, I . . .” He stopped short and broqght the bill fold back to view and slowly handed it to her. “I found it tonight . . . Lands bury’s comer . . . Meant to sur prise you . . .” he said lamely. Midge fingered the contents ex citedly. “Bill, you must call the man im mediately ... He must be wor ried.” "Do you think I’m a fool . . . It’s . . . And Christmas only five days aw T ay ... I have so little . . . This could be our happiest Christmas.. Midge stared at him as he spoke. He was talking in a tone she’d never heard from him before. “How could we ever have a mer- jy Christmas . . . We’d never for get . . . Don’t you see . . .” There was a brief tense silence as Bill looked at the billfold in her outstretched hand. "Bill, the phone number is on the license . . .” • • • The lights on the tiny Christmas tree were blurred as Bill put his packages beside it. Lately, every thing seemed to blur thru a mist of tears whenever he thought of Midge and Christmas. Why hadn’t he told her everything the night that he returned the billfold instead of wait ing until now. He looked up to see Midge standing in the doorway. "Midge dear, sit down . . . I’ve something I’ve got to say . . .” "What, darling . ..” *T didn’t find that billfold. Midge .. I ...” he stammered, “I did that once before . . . long before I met you . ..” Her lips began to quiver and big tears began to tumble down her cheeks but she was smiling. "Say something. Midge . . . Ask me what I mean. . “There’s nothing to ask, darling . . . The doll dresser in the window at Landsbury’s had a mirror and . . . And, darling, as of this moment it is the merriest Christmas ever ... I had hoped and prayed that you’d tell me . . . and you have . .. Now, let’s open our Christmas secrets .. .**