The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-12-19
- "A PAGE FOR WOMEN AND THE HOME !:

shouldered young man who was strid.
ing 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
the porch.
"Why. Dane!" she exclaimed. draw
ing back in confusion. How you
startled me. l thought 1t was your
sister, and"
"Helen has gone to Baliord to meet
q friend who is to spend the holidays
with us," said the young man" so she
sent me after the wreath:." He smiled
down at the girl. This is the ever.
green shop isn't it?s he added.
"Yes," said Ruth, forcing smile
in return.
"And you are the evergreen girl?"
believe. they call me that" she
answered.
"Well,' said stanwood, Sis told me
to be sure and fetch you back with me
when returned"
Back with youw echoed Ruth
Really IL can't 80. There ia so
much to do here, end"
"Bosh!" laughed Lane. "Of course
you will go back with me. Fact Is,
you'll have to- He waved his hand
as Ruth started to speak. "No OK.
cuses now, for I won't listen to 'em.
You see," Stanwood went on, T" Sis and
her friend were supposed to help get
things ready for the party tonight,
but she telephoned just as l 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 s. l told Sis
could never get things ready in time,
for the decorating isn't half done. Then
she happened to think OF you, and I
said right Off that you would be just
the one to help US out. You're not 60
ing to disappoint US, are you?" Very
anxiously.
We'll, perhaps l can go for little
while" said Ruth. I'D dearly love
to trim that Christmas tree"
"Of course, i won't stay to the party
she thought as she scurrfed upstairs
after a wrap. so l won't see Danes
sweetheart, for OF course she is the
one Helen is to meet at the train.
And l really ought to help Dane ana
his sister out, for they have been such
good customers"
Dane ushered Ruth into the big
double 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 ono
end of the room, we will be able to
hang all these wreaths and then dec
crate the tree before o'clock?"
The evergreen girl gave a merry lit.
tie laugh.
Z" l am sure we can il we work fast"
she answered. am used to this
work, you know, and with your help
is won't take long,
." 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. found that there was big
demand for wreaths and laurel trim
ming during the Christmas holidays,
so three years ago openedsan ever.
green shop. l love to do this kind OF
work, and although the season is a
short one, my little shop pays we'll"
The evergreen girl might have add
ed that, more than this, the rush of
work just at Christmas time helped
her to forget the dull ache in her heart
which was always so hard to bear
during the holidays. She said nothing
of this though, but asked instead:
"Tell me, Dane, how have you spent
Christmas while you have been away.
Have you been where there was much
merry making?"
"For the past three years." said