The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-12-19
The Euenine Story
(By Dorothy Blackmore.)

(By Dorothy Blackmore.)
Its the first Christmas I've ever
seen him really cheerful and merry"
said Jane Crawford.
'Who?" asked Barbara, her chum.
buttering a muffin and adding it to
the stack of hot brown ones on the
plate before her. Jimmie Afford.
suppose you mean?"
Jane nodded. Dismal Jimmie, /
call him! Ever since I've known him
and that's forever, it seems-he's
been a calamity-howler, joy-killer!
Bq kthis year when every one is any
Thug but Joyful at Christmas season,
and every one Is working hard for
soldiers. Jimmie is as happy as a
lark" Jane was busy trying the cof-
fee in the percolator and arranging
the cream and sugar on her studio
table. Here they come now she
exclaimed as loud tap OF the knock
Il hope you like him: that's ALL
Jane opened the door. Two young
men stood just outside. one Of them
painting for breath in an exaggerated
manner.
'Howdy do. Jane?" Frank Morton
said, stepping in. "Ah, Babs, you on
time-for once?" he added. stepping
taking the last muffin from the elec-
trio toaster.
Dismal Jimmie still painted on the
threshold. II was thinking, Jane, that
since there is no elevator in this build
ing it's most fortunate for you that
breaths. And then his eyes fell on
Barbara sitting in the tiny glow from
the toaster. He stopped, painting, and
whispered. who is it, Jane? She's
lovely"
Jane smiled indulsently upon him.
Kent, who is SO Interested in your
relief work. Come, I'll present you"
The four sat about the studio tea
table and ate the hot English mullins,
and became thoroughly acquainted
before they permitted Jimmie Al
ford to touch upon his present hobby.
The dusk of midwinter evening was
falling about them. and Jane had
lighted the studio candles before
Jimmie began to talk of the work that
was making him, for the first time in
his life. really happy
II you could know how guilty feel.
sitting here in this warm, comfortable
studio tonight. with that picture of
human wreckage still vivid in my mind,
you wouldn't wonder that hasten to
enlist your aid,'' he said. II came
back home for Christmas because 1
knew that yOu-you little group Of fell
low artists here in New Workout of
the generosity of your hearts in this
season OF giving would give your all
to help the suffering of your kind on
the other side"
The others nodded-the two who knew
the young artist so lately returned to
their midst and the girl who had heard
Of him but had never until today seen
him. Anything we have-or can get
is old nh
Morton.
I'm going back on the first boat
after Christmas day and 1 want real
help to take with me-every cent you
would have spent on anything for
gifts-every cent. Just imagine this
studio and all it means to Jane. here,
wrecked and Jane driven from it
without a cent to her name! And
imagine. still worse, If Jane were a
struggling man artist with family
to be responsible for! That's what
I've just left-that and many cases
to put in that nowhere when they
sc there" Jimmie said with a grim
smile.
And yet it's the first time I've ever
seen seen you really happy. Jimmie" said
were falling about the little group why,
you hardly deserve the old name Of Dis
NAL Jimmie. do your"
real work to do and I've achieved much
since came back. You're such a won
derfully sympathetic bunch, you'd give
your souls. believe. I can't be dismal in
the face Of that. can IT, he asked.
Why. Babs, Frank Morton said, turn
ing to Barbara, Our friend here has al
ways been wet blanket-superflcially of
course, you understand-and If q baby
happened to arrive in town he worried
about it's second summeri II any one
knew It was going to rain. So now, be-
hold him! Over something really dread
full he Ia cheerful! Can you fathom
human naturer'
Jimmie looked at Barbara and the liRht
he saw deep In her eyes interested him
fore In woman's eyes Il wouldn't believe
| everything that's told about q studio TIA
| BILE. Miss Kent he said.
Barbara continued to look at him. sI
believe all you tell me OF your earnest
ness in the work Of allevfating the suffer-
ers on the other side. Ten me more. !"
she said. Il want to help; want to be-
| gin now
And Jimmie told them what they could
| do. and they made plans to have q Christ
mas tree there In the studio to which all
their friends ana fellow artists were to be
hidden. Instead Of receiving a gift each
was to bring what he could In money to
| be given to relieve the suffering.
This party and the Christmas tree were
| q success beyond the expectations Of the
mic sailed back to France he took with
him not only material help for the little
colony OF artists, but he had Barbara
Kent's promise to be his wife. He, in
turn, had agreed that he would never
again have occasion to be known by his
| But the treesin the strlio andits attend
ant m1nnfo0 Wone ofWay9 known nuDouG