The Carlisle independent., 1918-12-19

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 bacK with you" echoed Ruth. Really I-f can't go. There is so much to do here. and"
 "Bosh" laughed Dane. "Of eonrse you will go back with me Fact is you'n have to-" He waved his hand as Ruth started tO speak. "lSo ex- cuses now. for I won't listen to 'em. You see" Stanwood went on, "sSis ass her friend were supposed to heip get things ready for the party tonight, but she telephoned just as I was ieaV- ing the house that the train oD which. her friend was to arrive is very late. She may not get back until nine o'clock, and the party begins at eight ! told Sis I could never get things ready iR 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 going t disappoint us, are your very andously.
 { "We-ll. perhaps I can go for a little while" said Ruth. ''pd dearly love te trim that Christmas tree" "Of course, I won stay to the party" sine thought as she seurries upstairs after wrap, "so I won't see Danes sweetheart. for of course she IS the one Helen is to meet at tfse train. And I really ought to help Dane and his sister out, for they have been sucs good customers"
 Dane ushered Ruth into inc big double parlors of his new home, where l the Christmas tree had been phBeed. "Do you suppose" he asked, point 1 ing to great pile of evergreen at enc end of the room, i've will be able te ] hang all these wreaths and then deee- | rate the tree before eight o'cinfkY' The evergreen girl gave merry ht- l tie laugh.
 T am sure we can if we wVk fast" | she answered. q am useH fo this work. you know. and with your help ! if won't take long," \
 "How long have you been the ever [ green girl2" Dane asked. as lie and 1 Ruth were trimming chandelier. | ''This is my third season." Ruth re ] piled q found that there was big | demand for wreaths and launel trim ming during the Christmas hQlidays. so three years ago I opened an ever ] green shop. I love to do this biHa Of l work, and although the season is 1 short one, my little shop pays we'll The evergreen girl might have added that, more than this, the rush of work l just at Christmas time helped her 10 l forget the dull ache in her heart which 1 was always so hard to bear during the l holidays. She said nothing of this, though, but asked. instead:
 'srell me, Dane. how you have spent l Christmas while you have been away. Have you been where there was much ! merry-makingT
 ! For the past three years," said Stanwood, "Fve celebrated Christmas by working from dawn till dark. This
 is the first enjoyable Christmas eve
 have known since left Brierly.n
 "It has been very pleasant eve
 ming for me. tOo," said Ruth, and 1
 have enjoyed it ever so much. New
 we'll trim the Christmas tree, and theR
 you can take me home and get back
 in time for the party"
 At half-past seven Dane surveyed the big double parlors with satisfs ctiea. With the help of the evergreen girl nA had finished the decorations and every thing was in readiness for the guests.
 'sThe rooms look just as they did four years ago at Dolly Blair's Christ mas tree-even the mistletoe bougb2 said Dane. Don't you remember hoy that one hung right over our heads, as ] this ! does now%
 1 The evergreen girl was silent. Had you forgotten. Ruthf" he per- sisted.
 No" softly, "f had not forgotten"
 You never thought had forgotten, did you, dear?"
 But you never wrote, Dane"
 Because for long time I was miles, from railroad or post office and could l not send any mail. Br; I've thought of that night, though, and all these years I've been planning to have Christmas party as much like that one as I could. only this one tonight will be for you"
 ''But isn't the friend who is coming with Helen your fiancee2n faltered | Ruth.
 Not exactly" laughed Dane. 'gFha' friend Is Harry North, Helen's .fais. | The girl I expect to marry IS here. now. and, by Jovei I've caught her again standing under the mistletoe bough."