The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1901-11-30

to soar with. She put on the costume and
danced two-step across the rude stage.
"Yeh mustn't do that, lady, this is fer
tn benefit of tn churches, an tn folks
wouldn't like it, said the manager, with
grin.
Then came up one of the women of the
town, who seemed to have part of the
management. She gave some instructions
as to what would happen, and Miss Reisen
listened intently. Another listened, but
she did not know it.
The programme of the evening opened
with number of songs and Rotations, to
which the passengers from the train gave
the most earnest attention and hearty APP
plause. Marvin seemed wonderfully at
home, Miss Reisen thought, and was call
ing men by their first names as if he knew
them. He was behind the scenes good
deal; too much, she thought, also, and it
worried her, for he was the only one in all
the house that she counted on as friend
no. was he friend? She wished she knew
if the story her chum told her were false
or true.
Then came the time for the Christmas
tree 'doin' 5, as the manager called the
exercises. The big curtain was dropped,
and the children Of the prairie farms and
ranches gave an audible "Oh 7 as the
beautiful green-paper wrapped cottonwood,
lighted with candles and glistening with
tinsel, all brought from the city 400 miles
away, burst on their eyes. Many of them
had never seen an evergreen, and this was
fulfllment of all their anticipations.
Before the tree stood the fairy, her
wings and robe making her almost ethereal
in the sight of the little ones. Behind
was the open mouth of a chimney, and far
off rang the horn of Saint Nicholas as he
approached over the housetops on his
sleigh. 1t was cold enough outside for his
biggest furs, and when he came laboriously
down the chimney and stood amid the
group on the stage he was the very picture
of the Santa Claus Of their dreams.
Swiftly he made the rounds of the tree,
and in cultural tones told the little folks to
help themselves. Then he did what was
not on the bills-he approached the fairy,
and in the same rough voice exclaimed
ssYou are to go with me on my travels
tonight. Come
For moment she stood irresolute, not
knowing if this were part of the program.
Then, thinking it must be, she took the
heavily -gloyed hand, and, with bow to
the audience, stepped back and back, until
both were swallowed up in the vast depth
of the chimney.
But they did not go upward, Santa Claus
opened door in the rear, and they were
outside the noisy hall and in the dressing
room.
Suddenly Santa Claus stripped off the
heavy wings and crown from the fairy, and
handed her her furs. "Come with me,
he said, masterfully.
"What do you mean p she replied.
"This, and he threw down the mask
and wig, the fur coat and heavy gloves
before her stood Frank Marvin. ~ asked
YOU to come with me on my travels, as you
consented, as you did once before but this
time it is for life.
Alice Reisen laughed little Historically
''But you know what happened before,
Frank" The last word was caress SO
tenderly was it spoken.
Eyes, know from what you said lit
tie while ago-you thought my sister was
another girl in whom | was interested.
There was and can be no other girl but
YOU And then they talked it all over,
for good.
The candy and toys were distributed from
the green paper wrapped tree when they
returned to the hall. They did not re-
main long, but went out under the stars
and to the little parsonage across the way.
Frank had sent a friend for license, and
in trice they were married.
A team and carriage were at the door,
and away they were whirled through the
beautiful but crisp prairie night.
ITO the ranch, ordered Frank, and
then added cit was miracle that the
train stopped right here in my own town.
The big ranch house is ablaze with light
out there, and all is ready for you
So the train went on toward the noun
tains without two of its passengers
s'Do you know whispered Frank, as
che team drew up to the ranch-house,
almost a mansion out there on the plains,
ssthat I received the best Christmas pres
ent of all tonight p
''But you had to be your own Santa
Claus to get it, - laughed Alice.