The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-22
EVENING STORY
The Evergreen Girl.


Every year during the Christmas
season Ruth Thomas made hundreds
of evergreen wreaths, which she sold
for Christmas decorations.
This was why the people of Briefly
called her the evergreen girl.
The day before Christmas Ruth sat
in her little shop finishing the last
wreath she would make that season.
''There!" she said, deity twisting a |
sprig of bright red berries among the |
evergreen stems, that finishes Helen |
Stanwood's order, and thank goodness |
it's done in time. Oh. dear!" she |
sighed, laying the wreath aside, Il do |
wish could spend one Christmas time !
enjoying myself as others do. Why, |
there has not been any one here over
the holidays since l can remember, |
and l have not been to a Christmas
party in years-not since the time l
went over to Dolly B1air's with Dane"
A warm color suddenly glowed in
the glrfs cheeks and there was a soft
light in her brown eyes as she thought
of that memorable night.
Dane Stanwood had taken her to
that party. Once during the evening
ne caught her as she was standing
under the mistletoe Dough, and
The sudden roar of a high-power au-
tomoblle broke in upon Ruth's mus
lngs, and she looked out in time to see
a long blue roadster flash past the
gate.
The car belonged to Dane Stanwood.
snortly after the Christmas party at
Dolly Blafr's Dane had gone west to
become mining engineer. He had
written Few times to Ruth and then
the letters had stopped coming, and
she had not heard from him for nearly
four years Then, just month ago,
he had suddenly appeared in Briefly
a inc Co. t4
rumored that he had made fortune
in the mines
The second week after his return
Stanwood bought the old Blair man
sion and gave the information that he
intended to move into his new home
before Christmas Next he announced
that preparations were under way for
party which he was giving Christ
mas Eve.
The evergreen girl had been sur
prised and a little bit hurt because
Dane had not even called. She had
thought it strange, too, at first, that
she did not receive an invitation to
the party, for she knew nearly every
one in Briefly was going,
But when Ruth was told the party
waste be given in honor of Stanwood's
fiancee, she understood why she had
not been invited.
That is why Helen Stanwood didn't
mention the party when she ordered
these wreaths,' Ruth thought, as she
began tying them together. "Of course,
I would not go anyway now. My, but
they will have to hurry if they hang
all these wreaths before 8 o'clock"
The evergreen girl was so busy get
ting the Stanwood order ready that
she did not notice that the blue road
ster had returned and stopped by the
gate Neither did she observe the
broad-shouldered young man who was
striding up the path. The bell jingled
merrily.
There's Helen now. after the
wreaths," Ruth thought. and she ran
to the door. Dane was standing in
Why, Dane!'' she exclaimed. draw
ing back in confusion. How you
startled me. l thought it was your
sister, and"
a friend who is to spend the holidays
with u.s. said the young man, so she
sent me after the wreaths." He smiled
down at the girl. This is the ever
green shop, isn't it," he added.
YES" said Ruth, forcing smile
in return.
And you are the evergreen girl?"
81 believe they call me that" she
wei" said stanwood. isis told me
to be sure and fetch you back with
me when I returned"
Back with your echoed Ruth.
Really IL can't go. There is SO
much to do here, and"
"Bosh!" laughed Dane. "Of course
you will go back with me. Fact is,
you'll have to-" He waved his hand
as Ruth started to speak. mo ex-
cuses now, for l won't listen to 'em.
You see," Stanwood went on, isis and
her friend were supposed to help get
things ready for the party tonight.
but she telephoned just as was leav-
ing the house that the train on which
her friend was to arrive is very late
She may not get back until o'clock.
and the party begins at 8. | told i"
I could never get things ready in
done Then she happened to think of
you, and 1 said right off that you
would be just the one to help us out.
You're not going to disappoint us, are
you ." very anXiously.
We'll, perhaps 1 can go for little
while" said Ruth. I'D dearly love
to trim that Christmas tree"
"Of course. won't stay to the par
ty'' she thought as she scurrieN up
stairs after wrap, so l won't see
Danes sweetheart, for of course she
is the one Helen is to meet at the
train. And 1 really ought to help
Dane and his sister out for they have
been such good customers"
Dane ushered Ruth into the big dou-
bile parlors of his new home, where
the Christmas tree had been placed.
do you suppose he asked, point
ing to a great pile of evergreen at one
end of the room. I'VE will be able to
hang all these wreaths and then dec
crate the tree before 8 o'clock?"
The evergreen girl gave merry lit
tie laugh.
81 am sure we can if we work fast"
she answered Il am used to this
work. you know, and with your help
it won't take Tong"
How long have you been the ever
green girl?" Dane asked. as he and
Ruth were trimming a chandelier
This is my third season." Ruth re-
piled. IT found that there was a big
demand for wreaths and laurel trim
ming during the Christmas holidays.
so three years ago l opened an ever
green shop. ! love to do this kind OF.
? Ii