The Washington herald., 1908-01-13

The train puued mpnplonnHSlF over
the Kansas plains. and the snOwst0Tm
beat against the car windows. was
too dark in the car 20 finish his novel.
and Jordan, waiting for the porter 10
light up tried various positions, vainly
seeking some attitude that would com
fortabIy accommodate his length Of limb.
He was frankly disgusted that cIrcuu-
stances had made f. necessary for him 10
spend Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
itself on the train.
The season had always meant much 70
him. and ne had expected 10 have "a time
Of jubilee playing the double role Of
Santa Claus and bachelor uncle 10 his
sisters children. But his firm had de-
cided that he was the only man suited
10 handle the Arizona transaction, and
as It was necessary for him 70 be on the
spot Immediately after the holidays, Jor-
dan cnmforted himself with the hint OF
substantial raise tn salary and left
Chicago to its season OF joliifeation.
He was calling up memories Of past
Christmas Eves-as far back as his days
on the farm when he hung a home knit
badly shaped stocking To the chimney
piece in the best room. when his gaze
feu idly upon his neighbor across the
aisle
II was not the first time be had no.
ticed her since she first boarded the
train early in the day-bUt she was now
leaning her face ustlessly against the
cold window pane, and in the half-light
she seemed 20 put her handkerchief 10
her face with "a suspicious regularity
Jordan was blue and homesiok himself,
and he growled under his breath that
it was a special brand of shame that
such a girl had 70 spend Christmas Eve
in so desoiate a fashion. When the por-
ter finally arranged the lights, and the
girl sat up with a youthful dignity whose
effect was somewhat marred by her dis
ordered hair and decidedly pink, retrousse
nose, Jordan TaCked his brains for a
plan by which he might make things a
little less desolate for her.
shes not much more than a child
and a lonely Christmas is hard for
grown-ups 10 endure, It's doubly tough
on a little fuffy-haired girl that's scarce
IL old enough to be called a woman
Then he rose and went toward the smok-
ing car for a period Of meditation.
When Jane Dudley finished her maga-
zine and decided that the best thing for
her was to so TO sleep early and forget
her loneliness, the porter came toward
her with a telegram. The porter had
sent a telegram for her when they had
been delayed three hours during the early
afternoon. Now he accosted her as an
old acquaintance. "a telegram, Miss
Dudley-just took on at last stop.
She read it eagerly, then laughed.
Have instructed the porter to hang Christmas
basket on your berth. Don't be alarmed; a. ,r-.
of course II was some Of Bob's foolish
ness-and he was trying 10 cheer her up
a bit on the train. She felt a glow Of
pride in the fact that she had a brother
so thoughtful She undressed and finally
settled down 10 sleep with feeling much
similar to the Joyous anticipation peculiar
TO her little-girl days when she fastened
her stocking 70 the chimney corner.
Early next morning she saw the bas-
ket tied to the curtain fasteners, a gayly
striped fruit basket, filed with oddly
shaped parcels and surmOunted by a
sprig Of holly. She dressed hurriedly,
'postponing the opening of the parcels
until she could enjoy it at leisure When
she returned from the dressing room, she
found the porter had arranged her sec
ton, and across the aisle her neighbOr
was studying the flying landscape by
early morning light.
She read the penciled label on the first
package:
These presents are queer-blt please understand
Twas the best could be done-from materials on
hand
The package contained peppermint
creams. a huge golden apple was Ia
beled:
This fair piece Of fruit hope you'll enjoy
Twas honestly won from Helen Of Troy.
The nonsense Of it appealed to the
girls humor-Bob had always fatteringly
insisted that he had the prettiest sister in
existence. The label on a small Japanese
doll moved her TO new mirth:
For a good little girl this cute little dollie,
Call some child next dOor-piay and be jolly
She looked at the "child next door,
and the mere thought OF playing dolls
with Jordan was too much for her
He leaned across the aisle and peered
at the basket. 1T seems selfish for you
to be enjoying Christmas all by your
self Mightn't a poor desolate chap at
least have a bite of that apple? There
wasn't a thing in my stocking!" Discon-
solately he spoke.
"Tll do even better-do you think you
would like to play with this?" showing
him the label on the doll.
Jordan vowed that such happiness
would be overwhelming-and accepting
the seat offered. he helped unite the new