Arizona republican., 1906-12-25


 clad in clean, new uniforms and re- garding them with unobtrusive curi osity.
 Suddenly Doris turned to the group
 Merry Christmas," she cried, hold ing out both hands with a charming gesture of good will. Merry Christmas. ma-am-Merry Christmas," came back a delighted chorus.
 Glad to see you aboard," cried tho captain hospitably. Come below-it's getin' right chilly"
 They followed him town to a com fortable cabin, spotlessly clean and nicely furnished. The first thing to catch Doris's eye were some pathetic little garlands of holly draped along the bulkheads
 Make yourselves at home," said the captain hospitably Broke down. I reckon?" he inquired We see you workin' down under that jury rig jes' before it got dark and I would have sent boat after you but I see that you could make the ship all right Never thought of there being a lady aboard" Carling explained the nature of their acident. Presently a shadow crossed the captains kindly features
 I'm right sorry I've got so little to offer you he began regretfully. | Christmas night. too. Our lightship ] tender got aground three rays ago and they only got her off yesterday. so we didn't get our Christmas stores."-" 1 And do you mean to say that you poor fellows have not even had a | Christmas dinner?" cried Doris pity | ingly
 Nary thing but salt horse and lob scouse. ma'am." replied the captain. : T reckon we'll get it some time. though-but it ain't the same when i you don't get it on Christmas. is it?"
 Dick" said Miss Chester, If the captain will let you have a few men to help. go down 10 that launch and bring up everything aboard," She turned to the captain. 'I believe a kind Provi- dence has sent us out here on purpose to provide you poor fellows with a l Christmas dinner No-' She held up her hand. seeing that he was about to protest. Wait until you see what we have. You think perhaps that We sim ply had a few things for ourselves just wait until you see," Much mystified the captain permitted himself to be led on deck by CarlinE. whip was quickly rigged and soon the contents of the launch were swung aboard to the utter amazement of the vessels crew.
 Suppose we take the whole collation. below out of the wet" suggested Car ling Ready arms picked up the crates and boxes and bore them to the cabin The men were about 10 leave when Do- ris stopped them.
 This is my party" she cried. "and you are all invited. Now some of you set the table and the rest open the boxes. Where's the cook? Some of these things must be served hot"
 Pass the word for the dOctor." called 1 one of the crew. but the grizzled old ] sea cook was already inspecting the ] delicacies with the interest of an artist | who sees for the first time masterpieces ] known to him only by reputation.
 Now, somebody get a tub and cool | the wine at opce!" ordered Miss Ches- | ter "If any of you want to smoke ;! while we are getting things ready, here | are some perfectos and Egyptian cigar | lettes,"
 
 Holy saints, but our faces will die of | surprise!" cried the old Irish lamp ten der
 Hey, skipper will ye pipe down the turkey stuffed with maroons,-and | s'help me if here ain't sucklin' pig, | and. say, skipper. just turn your lamps on this here basket of fruit!-ain't that a daisy?" cried the delighted cook =l,s.... ] glass-every one of em!" he added in an awed voice.
 And so the game went on.
 Outside the snow swirled about the great lamps and the intermittent blarc of the horn penetrated the heavy tin.- bers.
 Doris marveled at the perfect decor um of the company. To them she seemed some divinity from another world come to do them honor and bring them cheer upon this sacred night.
 If things didn't taste so good, ma'am," confided an elderly member of the crew, q sure would think I was a-dreamin' but in dreams things never have no taste"
 We will send them a Christmas box each year, will we not, Dick?" said Miss Chester, as she nestled by his side the following morning while the launch, once more imbued with life, tore in through the inlet.
 Yes" he answered heartily and his voice still carried its new new-found ring, "a piano box filled with every thing that is good to eat and drink and smoke. One cant do enough for men like that
 And did you notice what sad faces they had? It is a pitiful service"
 They were silent for several mo- ments. each thinking of the meager lives of those whom they had just left: these men who were neither owned by sea nor land. then Carling glanced at a spar buoy just abeam.
 This is the spot where we lost our anchor" he remarked "lt is where l found mine," she whis- Dered, nestling closer. He passed his