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No one had been outside for about an hour, and in that short period of time over an inch had accumu lated on the ground. M. L. shouted, " Hey, everybody! It’ s snowing outside!” and everyone jumped up and went to the windows. Big flakes were swirling around in a stiff wind and in the glare of reflected Christmastree lights it was a beautiful sight.
Helen had been busy almost all evening and really hadn’ t seen much of Lonny. Since M. L. had arrived, however, she decided to leave the kitchen up to him and, taking off her apron, she went out into the den. Little groups were gathered in various places around the house, and as she looked over her guests she realized that she really didn’ t know many of the women who were there. Lonny was listening to Roger Milton tell about the time he won a mare class on a gelding as Helen eased up next to him. Smiling at her, he put his arm around her waist and said, " You
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a. uj e by Charles Barry Sanderson
Needless to say, Lonny and Helen were pleased with the way the party was going. They had never done much entertaining at home because they just didn’ t have enough room, and Helen had always been a little bit unsure of herself in the role of hostess. This time, however, it was different. As she stood at the wide doorway looking into the new den she could not help her feeling of pride. Since the Festival they had managed to repaint their home and build on a beautiful new den complete with bar, built-in stereo, trophy case and pool table. It was a large room with rough oak beams and natural wood walls, with a big stone fireplace at the end.
The atmosphere at the party was unusual, as every one appeared to be in a rather quiet mood. They were obviously having a good time but, in contrast to Christmas parties of former years, no one was getting drunk and rowdy. Counting those in attendance, Helen noted that, out of the forty-two people they had in vited, over thirty were there. That was good, consid ering that some people had to travel quite a long way to get there.
Christmas music was gently rising above the din of conversation and the smell of burning logs in the fire place added an extra touch to the affair. The evening was just getting started and Helen was getting wor ried about Martin Luther, their groom. He had prom ised to come early and help her with the chores of serving in the kitchen.
She had returned to the kitchen for another platter of hors d’ oeuvres when she heard feet stomping on the back stoop. As she opened the door, M. L. came bounding in to get out of the cold. " Man, it’ s getting colder out there and the snow is beginning to fly!” Helen was astonished. " Snow?... Is it snowing?” she asked as she parted the curtains in the kitchen. fellows all know my bride, I guess.” They made smai talk for a while and Lonny said, " Come over here am I’ ll introduce you to some of the other gals.” Ap proaching a chattering group gathered next to the fire, he said, " You girls know Helen, don’ t you?” After a brief introduction he walked over to another group, leaving Helen with her guests.
Small talk dominated the conversation of the little group that Helen was in, but she felt a tone of resent ment from a couple of the wives of other trainers. A particularly flashy and loud redhead eased the con versation around to the Festival Horse Show, and said, " You folks appear to have made some real mon ey lately, darling. Did little Lonny make it all at one horse show?” As they all laughed, one of the women said, " Don’ t let them get you down... they’ re sore because their husbands didn’ t win it.” Helen smiled and said, " We were just fortunate... I.. The redhead spoke up again and said, " Well, sugar, with a group like Four Square Enterprises behind you, I guess you were fortunate.” They all laughed again as Helen got up. She smiled and started to leave. Looking at the redheaded woman, she said, " I do
appreciate your interest. By the way, dearie, isn’ t it a little bit warm in here to be wearing squirrel?” The redhead stood up and, spreading her fur coat, said, " This, my dear, is mink!” Helen smiled as she walked away.
Helen had always been somewhat conservative in her dress and felt a bit out of place even in her Sun day best at her own party. She looked around the room and noticed that a lot of the women were wear ing the latest fashions, including miniskirts and kneehigh boots. It looked good on some of the younger girls, but the shortest skirts always seemed to be on the older women on the plump side. Don Hill’ s wife,
22 Voice of the Tennessee Walking Horse