The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-12-11
BY TROY ALLISON. uyrirht. 1904. by Troy AIlisOn.)

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 i've thought of the finest scheme. girlsr' Nan exclaimed. standing off from the easel and trying the effect of her picture with one eye shut.
 Winifred delayed the tea-makipE land turned around with a celerity which showed a willingness to aid in any scheme to bridge the difficulty that Mans fertile brain might sug- gest.
 low higher on the couch and stretched out a little more comfortably. No one had ever yet been able to surprise Helen into a show of active interest.
 You know we could never get that long list of people into this tiny room,' Nan continued trying touch of vel low on the snow bank she was paint i ing, "and I want to invite them every 1 one. l knew that a crowd of art stu dents can put up with as few accom- modations as any crowd you could pick out, but I don't see how we could pack l thirty people in the whole flat, to say nothing of the amount of condensation necessary to get them into this sitting | room."
 | The three girls had clubbed together | in the wee three-roomed flat, with Nan Truesdale for business manager. Wini- fred looked after the housekeeping. and Helen-nobody ever expected | Helen to work at anything except the very brilliant ladies in water colors with which she amused herself. But 1t was Helen's generous checks from home, that had helped the little estab- lishment over many financial chasm. 80 we will use the parlor of the adjoining apartment to receive the guests in, and this room for refresh ments," Nan continued with the as- surance of one accustomed to finding correct answers to any problem met with.
 That mans apartment?" Winnie gasped with an emphasis on the word man which intimated that there was only one left on earth.
 T think your brilliancy has over reached itself this time, Nancy" Helen showed enough interest to sit up on the couch and hunt for another pill low That's really the most ridicu- lous proposition ever heard you make. which is saying a great deal" she add ed. and having discovered the extra cushion she lay down again.
 Not so ridiculous as you might think" Nan went on airily. I heard the elevator boy tell some one this be gone two weeks, and I'm going downstairs directly after tea and beg the clerk to lend me the room for this affair. I've been smiling at that clerk occasionally. You see, girls, the ad- visibility of following the old proverb and casting your bread on the waters All I have to do now Is to reach out and rake it In, ready for use."
 If you have been as prodigal with your smiles as you generally are. my good child, you can rake in your bread by the bakers dozen," Helen sa d re- provingly as they seated themselves at the tea table.
 The girls had caught glimpses of The Room when the door hac been left atar, and had learned to recognize The Man who sat smoking and read ing his paper by the window as the same tall, broad shouldered Individual with the Christy features wnom they had often seen in the elevator. These giImpses of the beautifully furnished room had filled them with an admira- tion that made Mans scheme for using 1t for the Christmas breakfast seem all the more charming.
 That room is so nice and large that We could carry out our first idea and have the tree with gift for each one of them," sighed Winnie.
 They had planned the Christmas breakfast with the idea that they would begin the day with anlold-fash- toned jolli:icaiion. The Invitations were to read, ITO growt-up chill dren's party" and Helen hadybeen dec- orating. them with picturesj of funny fat Santas in giddy looking leighs.
 T wish 1 could have me childish faith in Santa Claus restored long enough to write him a liSt of the things I want" said Nan, citing the last crumbs of cheese left on the dish.
 I'd ask for whole box of white gloves" Winnie returned quickly. I've cleaned mine so often that they reek with gasoline. don't enjoy the theatre half so much as I would if didn't have to smell gasoline through the whole performance"
 I'd take that new set of Christy 1 pictures" Helen said yawning' I'd like to try copying them."
 And I would like a palm chose Nan, eyeing the exact spot near the window where she would put t. "J don't want a Iitle insignificant look ing palm that I could afford O buy myself, but 6 great big spreading chestnut affair that l could sit under and feel realistic when l wanted to play the banjo and sing Under the Bamboo Tree
 Helen rose from the table and con- descended to commence cleaning up the dishes.
 T see I'll have to do the work that you two girls may indulge in visions. Christmas morning is Aot for off, and I hope Santa Claus may be able to play his part"
 Don't listen to Us, Helen," laughed Winnie. "IJ's such q relief to be able to talk without having The Man ever- | hear everything we say. We are ! simply relieving our pent-up feelings. I've been talking in whispers over since he moved in. for know hf can hear everything through that f4ding door. I believe the rooms werS in-