The Washington herald., 1913-12-20
DAILY SHORT STORY

, Do you ever eat these?" and Santa felt.
as he took the little bag from her hands,
three large round oranges. 1T YOU
squeeze the juice out and drink il when
you get home II will make you feel rest
ed" She laughed a sweet low laugh OF
sheer pleasure at the good deed she was
doing and Santa pressed her small hand
in appreciation. The next day Santa
worked his way through the crowd and
told Margaret how he had enjoyed the
oranges
"Its too bad you have to work in this
basement. This close air makes you
pale. Do you do it right aIong?'
You see," said the girl blushing ever
so slightly-she was a little loathe to
talk about herself-'I just came on for
the Christmas rush. 1 have never been
at work before. / have stayed at home
to keep house for my father and younger
brother and sister. But now that my
father isn't living had e Start out and
earn what l could. So ! began here.
hope they will give me a permanent posi-
tion after the rush. But the girls say
that unless you know a noorwaIker or
some one in one of the departments to
ask for you it's pretty hard
On Christmas eve at nIght-the last
desperate hours OF the rush OF shoppers
Margaret came to him on her way from
supper. Where are you going to have
Christmas dinner?' she asked.
No place, specially" said Santa He
really knew that he was to be an un-
necessary third party at the board OF
his uncle and aunt. II have no family"
Would you care-care I, have it with
us-with my brother and sister and me?
1t won't be much, but We have a nice
warm fire and a little tree" And Santa
he fria
eager-tO come to Margaret Nevin's nat
the next day at noon to join in their
humble festivities.
When Margaret Nevin realized the
next day that the tall young man who
came - her fiat was the fake Santa she
had asked to Christmas dinner she
showed a confusion that was delightful
Carter stayed and made the fourth at
the simple dinner served in the little
living room in their tiny fiat. Carter
had brought presents for the brother and
sister, and when they wen: out after
dinner was cleared away. to show them
proudly TO their little neighbors. Carter
started to tell Margaret the good news
he had brought her.
Miss Nevin." he began. "you said that
you wanted to stay with Thorne &
Bromley after Christmas. I happen to
be Mr.. Thornes nephew. 1 told you
just now that my name was Mr.. Carter
Well. l am Carter Thorne. | spoke to my
uncle about you this morning and he has
put you in charge of his toy department
upstairs with a salary of about four
times what you were getting"
Tears of gratitude and surprise stood
out in Margaret's eyes. And you-you.
Mr.. Carter Thorne-came and had Christ
mas dinner with US? Oh. how did dare
TO ask your"
Now" Carter went on, 'T an going
to ask you not to accept the position
with my uncle. l am going to ask you
to marry me instead. and make me one
of the happiest men in the world. Mar
garet, l have been watching you from
under my false face every day for a
week"
Il do like you now said Margaret.
simply. II liked You when l thought
you were a poor old man. I couldn't
help it." She drew away from him with
a little gesture Of surprise. II do be
lieve l have been in love with you all
the time"