The Lamar register., 1918-12-25

ana tne party DeGns mt eight. 1 toTd
Sis I 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
going disappoint us, are yOu?" very
anxiously.
We'll. perhaps I can go for a little
| WHILE" said Ruth. I'D dearly love to
trim that Christmas tree"
"Of course. won stay to the
party" she thought AZ she scnrried
upstairs after wrap $50 won't see
Danes sweetheart. for of course she is
the one Helen is to meet at the train.
And I really ought to help Dane and
his sister out, for they have been such
good customers"
Dame 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 n great pile of evergreen at one
end of the. room. "we will be able to
hang all these wreatls and then deco
rate the tree before eight o'clockf"
The evergreen girl gave a merry lit.
tie laugh.
"I am sure we can II we work fast, "
she answered. 81 am used to this
work. you know. and with your help
II won't take long"
"How long have you been the ever
green girl?" Dane asked. as he and
Ruth were trimming chandelier.
"This is NY third season." Ruth re-
piled. al found that there was big
demand for wreaths and laurel trim
ming during the Christmas holidays
81 three years ago ! opened an ever
green shop. 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 added
that. more than this, the rush OF work
just at Christmas time helped her ia
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 y0u have spent
| Christmas while you have been away
Have you been where there was much
merry-making"
"For the past three years" said
| Stanwood, "Tve celebrated Christmas
| by working from dawn till dark. This
is the first enjoyable Christmas eve
have known since left Briefly"
"It has been a very pleasant eve
ming for me, too." said Ruth. "and
have enjoyed 1t ever so much. Now
well trim the christmas tree. and then
you can take me home and get back
In time for the party"
At haif-past seven Dane surveyed
the big double pariors with satisfaction
With the help NJ the evergreen girl hs
had finished the decorations and every
thing was In readiness for the guests
The rooms look Just as they dit
| four years ago at Dolly Blair's Christ
| mas tree-even the mistletoe bough.
| said Dane. Don't you remember how
| that one hung right over our heads. Il,
| this one does nowT'
The evergreen girl was silent.
| 'IIad you forgotten. RUTH" he per
| sisted.
| "No." softly. II had not forgotten
| "yop never thought had forgotten
did you. dearf"
| But you never wrote. Dane"
| ''Because for long time was milei
from n railroad or post Office and couit
not send any mall. BIT I've though
OF that night. though, and all thes'
years I've been planning to have 1
Christmas party as much like that on,
as i could. only this one tonight will
be for you
| But isn't the friend who is comm,
with Helen your fianceeT" falteret
Ruth.
| "Not exactly" laughed Dane. 'Tha
friend Is Harry North. Helen's fiance
The girl / expect to marry Is here
now. and. by Jovei I've caught hel