The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1904-12-16
SANTA CLAUS
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-
A Christina. Love Story
BY Charles Moreau Harser.

Fifty miles. sixty miles. seventy miles
-seventy-,hree miles! The Indicator
In the roadmaster's car attached to the
overland flyer showed that the tlain
Was making swift time across the level
plants. Ahead. in the Pullman, pas
sengers scarcely noticed the speed.
They We're wishing the long winter
night We're over and We're thinking of
coy fresides back east.
Frank Martin left the indicator with
out a 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 ONE of indecision he APP
preached her. MAY l bring you some
thing from the dining caro-
Nothing, thank you; l am doing very
WE'LL
What was the use? She had only nod
ded when he encountered her on the
rain. 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 10y
uncle in California. Il would not ut
him explain the past. 1t was almost
FOR the train was making seventy-three
miles an hour. How he wished it would
slow up!
Hardly had the thought passed
through his mind. when there was a
jolt-a cruEching, grinding sensation, Il
lurch-and then suddenly stopping. No
one who has ever beer in a wreck will
ever forget it. The Pullman tipped
sidewise and nat was the md
Marvin wa at Aiice's side when it
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, old her to follow. With
the remainder of the passengers they
took up q cold and SOrrowful tramp
along the track across the bleak
prairies to the little town. three miles
away, where lights twinkled a friendly
greeting.
Frank tried to be sociable. 1T was a
narrow escape" he ventured.
Yes" Nothing more. She would not
even urn her face toward his in the
moonlight. They truged on in silence.
The town was glad to see them. l,
gave them the best It had, and none
suffered. But its heart was not wholly
in the work. One long-gaited citizen
4 ltali Alolll ~ So0lll, ca
planned it.:
"Yeh see, we's a-goin' ter hev' the
Christmas doin's ternight at TIL hall
What? I'd forgot that it was
Christmas eve." broke isn Marvin
Lets all go over" The passengers
from the Pullman car. finding that they
could not continue their journey unit
the following day. as we'll as many OF
the others, agreed. Well bundled up
they took their walk through the chilly
streets, where blew the bitter NORTH
wind of the plain.
The hall was nothing more than tho
upper room over a store. 1t was filled
yet begun. The %southerner. who wa.
master OF ceremonies. tiptoed back tc
Marvin.
We need two more to help in tn.
doin's,' he whispered. Won't 70,
un'S come"
Frank l%aughingly arose, and the
choice. followed him.
Behind the curtain, what a sight me,
their gaze! A Christmas tree it was
to be sure. There We're no evergreens
nearer h the mountains. and tc
make up for the deficiency the plains.
men had secured a dry cottonwood ant
wound its struggling branches Will
green paper. The appearance would
have been ludicrous had it not been /;
little pathetic.
Not much like the pines of the
beach where we used to rest last sum
mer." whispered Frank to his com
panion.
You and the other-I presume yo,
mean" was h whitening response.
"-Alice-Miss Reisen, what do yol
mean but the gaunt captain inter
rupted.
You, young lady, I'd like you to be
the fairy. Our leadin' lady is sick. an
you look like her."
Entering into the spirit of the occa-
sion, Miss Reisen accepted the task.
You'll have to wear some wings, and
there will be a little scene. but nothin
fer you to do but look pretty-you
don't need no Joachim" he added, gal
lantly.
Great admirer of yours suggested
Frank, as the f%unctionary moved away
Alice did not reply.
The wings were brought. and they
e>nAN a1ro4et 1Ar~~ @,- g.