Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-09

again. The conductor came in and an
nounced that they were stalled but that
Two or the brakemen had started ahead TO
the next station, four miles up the line, to
telegraph for help. Larkin looked out of
the window. The train had come to a stop
IN the heart of the woods. The snow was
whirling down in binding. sheets. Great
drifts stretched along the right Of way.
He grinned sardonically and pulled out his
watch. Mentally he gave the brakemen an
| hour to be back from futile attempt to
reach the station. They were back in forty
minutes, half frozen and well-nigh eX-
hausted.
The people in the car began to chatter
namely and to ask all sorts of foolish queS-
lions. Larkin went in the smoking COM
partment and lighted a cigar. This was a
quiet Christmas with vengeance-indeed,
it was a trifle too quiet He finished his
cigar and went into the car again. Some
thing was either happening or about to
happen, for the car was quite full. 1t was
apparent that, for some reason, the passen-
gers from the other two sleepers had
crowded into this one Three children
pranced about and seemed pleasantly ex-
cited over something. Larkfn seowled.
As he made his way up the car the rather
pretty girl whom he had noticed casually
earlier in the morning, came down the aisle
and stood before him, smiling apologetically.
Larkin had never paid much attention to
girls pretty or otherwise, but this one, with
her big, gray eyes and her bewitching
mouth, appealed to him instantly. Before
he knew it he was smiling back pleasantly.
Il am Miss Carey said the girl with
a charming frankness Il thought" she
went on, that as long we are stalled
here might have a little Christmas cele-
bration to pass away the time. There were
three children in the next car back, and 1t
did seem shame that their Christmas
should be spoiled in this fashion. l have
some candy and a few toys l was taxing
to my little nephews, and I'll donate these
to the good cause. l can get some more
for pepbaus-thnUin have Christmas
enough, anyway. We can make these chill
dren happy and incidentally amuse the chill
dren of a larger growth. Will you help?'
Larkin looked at her curiously.
''Do you know" he confessed, Il was
headed for a camp in the woods to escape
Christmas celebrationsT'
"Oh," she said. a trlae disappointedly,
I'm sure l beg your pardon
Hold onl' said Larkin. Il haven't said
I want to escape this particular celepfa-
ton. I've changed my mind ABOUT thel''
anyway. The storm and-er-other consld-
erations Che looked squarely into the gray
eyes, make them extremely desirable. IL
be very glad If you'll let me help no.,
Good" she said, emphatically. "Come
on!'
other end of the car and a series of hilari-
GUS Introductions followed. Before he
knew 1t he had caught the spirit OF the
thing and was offering suggestions right
and left
1--WE might have a tree he said tenta-
lively And the three children shrieked
with delight.
II have the candles and the tinsel for 1t
here in nv suit cases." said Miss Carey.
That settled it. Larkin donned his coat,
slipped on a pair of moccasins from MS
valise, borrowed ak from the emergency
hox and Waded out through the drifts.
Presently he was back with a shapely little
hemlock, which was set in one end or the
car, and through the combined efforts OF
everybody was decorated with the candles
and tinsel
Now, everybody write your name on
slip of paper and hand 1T to MI Larkll
while I get out the presents" Miss Carey
commanded you'll all get a present, she
added laughingly
With much jolly laughter the presents
were hung on the tree and the candles
lighted Meanwhile Larkin, the hater OF
Christmas and all things connected with 1t,
had volunteered to officiate as santa CIaus,
and they rugged him up absurdly They
made some flowing whiskers rom a piece OF
rope; they powdered his hair with flour