The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1904-12-16

names as If he knew them. He was
behind tie 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
We're false or true,
Then came the time for the Christ
mas tree ''doin's.' as the manager
called the exercises. The big curtain
was dropped, and the children =: the
prairie farms and ranches gave an
audible OH 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 a fultllment of all their antici-
pations.
Before the tree stood the fairy, her
wings ana robe making her almost
ethereal in the sight of the little ones.
Behind was the open mouth of Chin
ney. and far off rang the horn of Saint
Nicholas as he approached over the
housetops on his seligh. 1t was cold
enough outside for HI; biggest furs. ard
when he came laboriously down the
chimney and stood amid the group on
the stage hc 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 APP
| preached the fairy, and in the same
/ rough voice exclaimed:
You are to so with me on my trav-
e's tonight. Come
| For moment she stood irresolute
not knowing If this We're part of the
program. Then. thinking 1t must be-
no, vii.
with a bow to the audience, stepped
back and back. until both were swal-
! lowed up in the vast depth Of the Chin
ney.
| But they did not go upward Santa
Claus opened a door in the rear, and
they We're 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 masterfuny.
What do you me;ln?" she replied.
This" and he threw down the ma 81,
and wig. the fur coat and heavy gloves
before her stood Frank Marvin 81
asked you to come with me on my tray
$. and you consented as you did once
before-but this time it is for life"
Alice Reisen laughed a little hyster-
ically. But you know what happened
before, Frank" The last word was d
cnress, so tenderly was It spoken.
Yes. l know from what you said q
little While ago-you thought my sister
was another girl in whom ! was inter.
ested. There was and can be no other
girl but you And then they talked
1t all over. for good.
The candy and toys were distributed
from the reen-paper- wrapped tree
when they returned to the hall. They
did not remain loHg, but went out un
der the stars and to the little parson
age across the way. Frank had sent
friend for a license, and In a trice the,
were married
team and carriage We're at thu
door, and away they We're whirlet
through the beautiful but crisp prairi,
night.
ITO the ranch, ordered Frank. ant
then added: 1T was a miracle that the
train stopped right here in my owl
town. The big ranch house is ablazt
With light out there, and all is read.
for you"
SO the train went on toward The
mountains without two of It's passen
gers.
do you know" whispered Frank. a!
the team drew up to the ranch house
almost mansion out there on thu
plains, that | received the best Christ
mas present of all tonight?"
But you had to be your own SAINT;
Claus to get it, laughed Alice.