The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1904-12-16
SANTA CLAUS
. BY PROXY =
--------------------
A Christmas Love Story
BY Charles Moreau Harser.

Fifty miles, sixty miles, seventy miles
seventy three miles. The indicator
in the roadmast"rs car attached to the
overland flyer showed that the train
was making swift time across the level
plants Ahead. in the Pullman, pas
sengers scarcely noticed the speed.
They were wishing the long winter
night were over and were thinking of
cozy firesides back east.
Frank Martin left the indicator with
out word to the roadmaster, whose
guest he was for the trip to his ranch.
went forward for the tenth time that
evening He looked anxiously up the
aisle of the Pullman There she was
petite dark haired, pcnsive, alone.
After a moment of indecision he APP
proacned her. MAY l bring you some
thing from the dining carp"
Nothing, thank you; l am doing very
we'll"
What was the use? She had only nod
ded when he encountered her on the
train. 1t was quite an accident that they
met thus after their intimacy at the
seashore. He did not know that she
was going to Il new home with her
uncle in California. She would not let
him explain the past. 1t was almost
time for him to get off at his ranch
for the train was making seventy-three
slow up!
Hardly had the thought passed
through his mind. when there was a
jolt-a crurchinG, grinding sensation, a
lurch--and then suddenly stopping. No
one who has ever been in a wreck will
ever forget it. The Pullman tipped
sideWise and that was the end.
Marvin was at Alice's side when 1t
was over. He took her arm, and, look
ing into her white face, Gained her
fears: 1T is all right now-off the
+ track-nO more danger"
He left her. to help the passengers in
the smoker who were imprisoned and
somewhat injured. then returned.
He gathered her baggage, and, with
out permission, told her to follow. With
the remainder of the passengers they
took up "A cold and sorrowful tramn
along the track across the bleak
prairies TO the little town three miles
greeting.
Frank tried TO he .ociahIo "It was a
narrow escape" he yenturcd
YES" Nothing more She would NOT
even turn her face toward his in the
moonlight. They trugcd on in silence.
The town was glad TO see them II
gave them tho hest II had and none
suffered. But its heart was not wholly
in the work. One lone-gaited citizen.
evidently originally from The south ex.
planned it:
Yen see. we's a-pojn, fer bev, ,ba
Christmas doin's tcrnipht at IN, hall "
what? I'd forgot that If was
Christmas eve" broke in Marvin
IT cts ali 90 over" Tho nassnngerS
from the Pullman car. finding that they
could not continue their Journey unti
the following day. as we'll as MANY of
the others. agreed. Well bundled m
they took their walk through the chilly
streets, where blew the bitter mort
wind of the plain.
The hall was nothing more than the
! upper room over a store It was filled
! ia the aisles. but the exercises had not
vet begun. The southerner who wae
master of ceremonies. tiptoed hack r.
| Marvin.
I'VE need two more to helm in the
doin's," he whispered cree Wont Won :" v ,ne
ms come ?" ~
prank laughinelv arose and III.
dainty Miss Reisen, having no other
choice. followed him
| Behind the curtain, what a sight me,
! their gaze! Christmas tree II was
| tn he cure rrhere wera M ayaroraan,
naarer than the monntains IVA IS
make M for the deficiency The Mains.
men had secured drv cottonwond q nf
wonnd it's strapplinc hrannhas VIII
/ green paner The annearanca yo1,lf
| have been I1dicrous had # not baen :,
little nathetic
"Not much Hike tho nines ne -,
beach where we iIsed tn rest last GU
ner" ,vhisnered E,rank to he oo,,
nanv,n
"Yo,, and tho other1 nres,,,,o ,,o,
mean" was the uitherinp resnonsa
"Al;ce-Miss Peieen Chat 40 10,
mean" h,,t tho can't nan,,i,, 20
runtad 'i''ei
you. Young ladv. I'd like Won IN r