Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1919-01-09

.bxcx with YOUR echoed Ruth.
Really IL can't go. There II -
much 10 do here, and
"Bosh 7" laughed Dane. '+Of course
you will 20 back with ma Fact 10
y0ull have to-" He waved his hand
"a Ruth started to speak. mo 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 nine o'clock,
and the party begins at eight. told
Sis I could never get things ready In
time, for the decorating isn't half done.
Then she happened to think Of yOu.
and said right Off that you would b.
Just the one to help Us out. You're not
going {, disappoint rs, are your very
anxiously.
"We-n, perhaps I can 60 for little
WHILE" said Ruth. "rd dearly love -
trim that Christmas tree"
'Of course. won stay to The
party" she thought a. she scurried
upstairs after q wrap. 80 won't see
Danes sweetheart. for Of course she u
the one Helen Ii to meet at the train.
And I really ought to help Dane and
his sister out. for they have been suck
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 one
end Of the room. I'VE will be able -
hang all these wreaths and then deco
rate the tree before eight o'clock
The evergreen girl gave . merry Mt
tie laugh.
II am sure we can II We work fast"
she answered. II am used to this
work, you know. and with your help
It won't take long"
"How long have you been the ever
green girlY' Dane asked. AZ he and
Ruth were trimming q chandelier.
'"This is my third season." Ruth re-
piled II found that there was . big
demand for wreaths and laurel trim
ming during the Christmas holidays,
so three years ago opened an ever
green shop. hove to do this kind Of
work, and although the season Is q
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 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 you have spent
Christmas while you have been away.
Have you been where there was much
merry-makingT
"For the past three years" said
StanwoOd, I've celebrated Christmas
by working from dawn till dark. This
is the first enjoyable Christmas eve
have known since I left Briefly"
ut has been a very pleasant eve
ming for me, too" said Ruth, land l
have enjoyed 1t ever so much. Now
we'll trim the Christmas tree, and then
you can take me home aud get back
In time for the party"
At half-past seven Dane surveyed
the big double parlors with satisfaction.
With the help Of the evergreen girl be
had finished the decorations and every
thing was In readiness for the guests.
"The rooms look just as they did
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, %
this one does nowf'
The evergreen girl was silent.
"Had you forgotten, RUTH be Per.
sisted.
"No," softly. IT had not forgotten"
"YOu never thought had forgotten,
did you, dearT
"But you never wrote, Dane"
Because for q long time was miles
from railroad or post ONCE and could
not send any mail. BIZ I've thought
Of that night. though, and all these
years I've been planning to have q
Christmas party as much like that one
~ l could, only this one tonight will
be for you"
"Rut isn't the friend who is coming
with Helen your fianceer" faltered
Ruth.
mot exactly" laughed Dane. THAT
friend is Harry North. Helen's nance.
The girl l expect to marry is here.
now. and, by Jovei I've caught her
again standing under the mistletos
hov,u,h