The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1918-12-24
THE DAILY
HORT STORY
Good Old santa!
lARcAEY cAMERoM NEW.

Good Old Santa!
eyfARcE4EY CAMERON NEW.
(CopyEte7lt, 1918, By the Mcclure
Newspaper Syndicate.)
IcEoES Of vigorous hand clap
ping, harmonicaliy tempered with
ecstat3C "ahs" and 'tohs" from a
orshpinE audience, reached the
pup IN the back Of the Olympia
Sta8e. and Forrest the popular mana
ser, smiled. wistfully.
1.-The little angel is on," he mark
ITO Marty Miller, awaiting his turn.
SShe sure has rep for pep"
SEgelyn deserves it, ansered Mar
y, GlGnctng about to see il his wife,
hit enyions Of Evelyn Belmont, was
ltilfn earshot, She's a brave little
lay. Why, TN Boswick went over
here, she never did a single in hen
fe. And she hasn't whimpered-1ust
oeS on smiling every night, dazzling
Sem out of. their seats. No wonder
they call her the little angel"
81 know sreplied Forrest, thought
fn11Y, Il know And then, after an
other outburst from "out front" had
subsidized, he spoke again. Has she
beard from him lately?"
b showed M wife a letter dated
three weeks ago." said Marty. Hes
lieutenant now. Said he expected
90 go into action in a day or so. Eve
Iyn's worried to death-'iraid he's
Founded-not line from him since.
tell you-she's great. that kid
another outburst from the house
Eut him short and in a moment daZ-
King little creature in white. from
her glorious golden head to the tips
Of her exquisite feet, ran toward the
group.
"oh," she exclaimed. breathlessly,
fsnt that create" And then. the dim
1es IN her pretty checks vanished in
look OF anxiety. as she turned TO For
Pest. ANY mail for Ine?"
Marty thought he detected slight
vince in Forrest, as 1;e replied kindly:
mot today. Mrs. Boswic!l." And then
be Sdded. hastily, as il to reasSure
her: "Bur then there was none for nae.
esther. The mall service is-a little
tardy"
without replying. Evelyn turned
away and went slowly TO her dressing
room. followed by the compassionate
ooks Of Forrest and Marty Miller.
"AI the grit is not on the other side
be the water observed Forrest, as he
tEraed away slowly The Sfit behind
her emile IS the kind they're winning
battles with
And then. Cay after day. Marty Mil
Ter. Jack Fuller. Pearl Popp. and the
rest % Evc,,yn's fellov: performers on
The Qlypp:a'S program noticed Eve
fa's decline il spirits. No longer old
ae d:mple and ask Amy nlatl?' Only
twistful glance. that made Forests
therly. old heart ache with sympa-
=. brought his Kindly answer: Not
aE But then the mail
N q cold morning carly in Nov"m-
II Marty Miller passed Evelyn IN tn"
i665S on his way 10 the mail rack. and
oo;:ing into it he snatchad letter
srona 1t quickly and turned with rapid
il regained con.poSCre, to cart quiz
zic;l glance at Evelyn.
He started to speak. and then. some
thing choking him. he hurried TO his
Pressing room 2nd behind closed doors
tore open a letter with foreign post
mark. Rapidly lie dashed through the
contents and then trrned e worried
txown toward GIary Miles. IS her name
appeared on the program and their
wedding certificate.
"Ee's beea gassed!" sasped Marty
81 alarm.
.sWho? Charlie zepp?' she demand
a. HE deserves it. L"
e2SSe.So," was the savage unlover-ifke
reply. "Ckarlie Boswick. Hes alive.
tbough. This letters from him. Hes
convalesc:ng in hospital over ;here-
I-wonder If I'd better tell Evelyn
cot course not" snapped his spouse.
s.And spoil her Christmas party. after
All OF FORESTS plans? WaiE till he
gets better. Shed worry her head
ashe's worry IT off. anyhow" he
answered. what shall do?"
Nothing" came the prompt an
s1cr. LET her have her party I'M
spoiled. Forrest thought it a good
i6ea % make It surprise, but think
m EsA he=. IS'il keep her mind of OF
And without another word Marty
Reat forth TO find Evelyn. She found
her, ard fifteen minutes later report
ga her efforts 60 4 group OF Forrest S
sS4I think she's gone daft" growled
Eepp, the press agent. 1.-The idea! A
Christmas dinaer for wives OF sol
aterS who can's be back for the holi-
lays. WIZ, It,! COST"
ssYoa nothing" Forrest finished the
Esntencc, and the lines Of his mouth
ane together in a decided manner.
IT'S Evelyn's party, and il she wants
has sort oe thing she'll have it-if
.sTe got anything to DO with IT. Ano
ten have a Few kids, Just to make it
shrfstmassy. Evelyn'S right. Think
that treat Il win be to the worried
Eomen and chladen-a papaless
Christmas, but Christmas Just the
SG1a. I'm for ia special matinee
nd little spread Afterwards"
fstCounE me in," shouted Marty, nod
ing his warm approval to the others.
m Be Santa Claus"
ssYaint tat enough" objected Char
loZepp, 1eebly, for he saw the glim-
aering OF . press wr1te-up IL the Off
sIeave that t me-" Marty advised