West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1903-12-24

II WISH you WOULD LEr ME KEEr IT."
was never wildly festive for Christ
mas, but even that was to be denied
him this year.
There was rnttllng at the hall door.
Lane hastily brushed aside the tears as
the wife Of the janitor came I'm. Wom-
nniile, she was compassionate. Her
face beamed as she cried: "a package
for ye, Mester Lane. TIL postman lest
left 1t, an l hurried II up, thinkin' IL
might cheer We bit. It's sure some
prisint lady fren's been a-sendIn' We. .
The invalid laughed shortly. From
lady fricndl lie had been raised I'm
an orphan asylum and as far ms
his knowledge went had not living
relation. His position I'm the business
world was entirely due to his own
pluck and energy He had not had
time TO make lady friends.
When the woman had gone. he stIll
looked curionsly at the package I'm his
lap. 1t was In bad order The string
was iooscned and the envcIoping paper
torn. The address was blurred. but he
could still make out family the In
scription "F. Il. lane and the name
of the apartment house II was really
for him.
Ills fingers trcmbled with cagerness
as he slipped of the outside wrapper
and disclosed dainty tissue paper aud
ribbons. 1t must surely be from girl.
he thought
Inside was creation OF violet elk.
Tie eyed 1t dubiously. but then his face
cleared. He had seen similar curios In
shop windows. It must ba a handker.
chief case.
But the name OF the sender7 lie
took hold OF the case gingerIy and
shook II. He carefully turned II inside
out No card appeared. IL must have
slipped out on the way. lie shifted
appreciativcly. The cnse was strongly
scented with vIolets. 1t almost seemed
as II the fair donor herself was gIorffy-
ing his room with her presence.
Yet the question Of who had sent II
stu remained unsolyed. He knew whom
he wished had seut 1.-THE girl I'm the
fiat above. She wns the elrl who.
when she came In from the Office of an
evening. sat down at the piano and
ratified OF a Jolly twostcp-that was
when things had gore we'll or crept
IN quietly and sang soothing lullabies-
that was when the days work had Iefl
her wornout ana blue Lane sympn.
thlzed. for be had felt just that way
himself
"B-r-r-r'' rang the electric bell. Lane
frowned as he reached bis hand back
for the button. why need common.
place realities in the shape Of the jan
itor break IN upon bis day dream7
Then he Strengthened up suddenly
The figure standing in the doorway
was not TO bc confused with the Jan
itor. II was n girl with rcbellious
brown curls wandering down 10 ob.
struct n pair Of sprious dark eyes. II
was the girl Of the nat above
Tho girl stood uncertainty moment
In the gathering dusk. then stepped
forward with sudden decision. II beg
your pardon for intrudIne on you"
she said apoiogctIcally II don't he
fevo you can even see who am IN
this semidarkness. Won't you let me
Hight up1 am the girf from the fat
above" As she spoke she turned to
the switch IN moment the room
flashed into blaze or light.
Lane sAli stared ut her as n at a
vision, but the years or business train
Ing came 70 bis aid Wont you st
down. Miss FancT' he said courteous
". u can't rise little trlfe OF q
sprancd auhlc."