Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1918-12-25


Really. II can't 60. 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. "No ex-
cuses now, for | 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,
pnd the party begins at s. l told Sis
l could never get things ready in
time, for the decorating isn't half
done. Then she happened to think
Of you, and l 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 I can go for little
while" said Ruth. "Pd dearly love to
trim that Christmas tree"
"Of course, won: stay to the
party" she thought as she scurrled
upstairs after wrap, $50 I 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"
Dane ushered Ruth into the big
double parlors Of his new home, where
the Christmas tree had been pla6ed
"Do you suppose" he asked, point.
ing to great pile Of evergreen Mt one
END Of the room, 1--WE will be able to
hang oil these wreaths and then deco,
rate the tree before eight o'clock2"
The evergreen girl gave a merry lit.
tie laugh.
II am sure we can If we work fast"
she answered. 81 am used to this
work, you know, and with your helr
1T won't take long"
"How long have you been the ever
green glrl2" Dane asked, as he and
Ruth were trimming chandelier.
'This is my third season." Ruth re
piled. II found that there was bi8
demand for wreaths and laurel trim
ming during the Christmas holidays
so three years ago opened an ever
green shop. I love to do this kind OF
work, and although the season Is
short one, my little shop pays WELL"
The evergreen girl might have added
that. more than this, the rush of worh
just at Christmas time helped her t.
forget the dul| rcha In her heart which
IwnS always 49, hArd 20 heat during IN;
holidays She said nothing III this
tnngll, hut nsEco, instead:
"Tclt me, Done, how Yno have spau,
,Ghrls,Wns while Son have baen away
Have you Ocen Ahert tbncs yTan mutl
merry-making
"For the past three years." safe
Stanwood, "I've celebrated Christmat
by working from dawn till dark. Thil
is the frat enjoyable Christmas eve
have known since I left Briefly"
! ut has been n very pleasant eve
ming for me, too," said Ruth, "and I,
have enjoyed 1t ever so much. Now
we'll ,im the Christmas tree, and theI
you can take me home and get bacl
in time for the party"
At hnlf-past seven Dane surveyed
the big double parlors with satisfaction
WITH the nclp OF tne evergreen girl M
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, al
this one does now?"
The evergreen girl was silent.
Had you forgotten Ruth?" he per
sisted.
"No," softly, "I had not forgotten,
! "You never thought had forgotten
did you. dear7"
"But you never wrote Dane"
because for long time was mile
from railroad or post office and coulj
not send any mail. But I've though
of that night, though, and oil thes
years I've been planning to have {,
! Christmas party as much like that on
as could, only ahis one tonight vii
be for you"
"But isn't the friend who is cominl
with Helen your hancee? falterel
Ruth.
mot exactly" laughed Dane. "Tha
friend Is Harry North, Helen's fiance
The girl I expect to marry is here
now, and, by Jovei I've caught ha
again standing under the mistleto
bough." ,..m