The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1921-12-14
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY
Nick Takes a Hand
~ A, v. PEACH
tCopyEght 1911, by the Mcclure
Ney0pauaT SYndIoats)

4044
NeWDpapaT Syudioats0
nloT expert at window display
had. arfaHEed q number OF
dollS Of mixed varieties in
amusing snd Ridiculous attitudes.
Braxkon had been Erinuing at them
tome time when his eye caught a
suSf1 tsndril Of dark hair Just over
.the5Smeoth cheek o the GIRL near
him who was giggling into the
bpShiHG silence Of her mui.
Just then she lifted her gray,
laughing eyes to his as she turn.
ed away from the window to depart.
Her quick look indicated recogni-
ton IN the sense that one feels
when Z strangers face resembIes
d friends. He returned the look
with the same thought, and with a
hay memory Of a rash resolve that
he had almost made never to spend
another lonely Christmas in the
city, but TO go out and speak to the
first girI he saw who seemed so
lonely as he.
She paused. why, / do not be-
lieye you-you-" her hesitation in.
creased TO 4 bit Of fear. but she
went on- ARE you Scott Braxton
who lived IN East Mansfield in Yer.
mont? II"
81 am the same chap he said
somewhat esgeriy as he heard the
mellow music of her pleasant voice
and caught the diffident note OF
doubt.
well, I AM Annabel Morris-the
little girl yon used to play with,
years and years ago. | wonder
do you remember me?" she quest
toned sbyly.
He Iaugkej. my memory OF
those days Is a trifle hazy, but I
! do remember; a. little midget of a
By that name; and once in a
1hiIe Ishear Indirectly OF her; and
am certainly glad to see her
grown up; and I am glad too that
she Is right here; and once more
~ am not going to let her get
away from me II I can help It. Now
you
She turned to the window and
the tantalizinE tendril came again
into his view. well it does seem
honestly good 10 see you. am
really alone 6xcept-well. it's only
a few days from Christmas; and 1t
does Seem as if-as II two people
ought to be mixed up in Christmas.
Don't you tbiES so. ! mean two
10 share the Christmas spirit"
DO 1? I should say ! did. !
Y 49, 81tYRk SAt0O AIT IN GnAok IL Tho
fIFst lonely girl | met" he said
Nth zeal.
Speak to me. then" she remind
ed him
Il will; Let's look at these win
dnwS along the street. Some Of
these Chaps can make a i~airyland
behind 4 pane, OF glass Without \
foot of space to spsre!'
sLet's!" she agreed.
They Started in on their trip
through fatryland. They admired
laughed and unused before the
Ghristnas windows; they found
tlieSSenjoyed the same windows. He
found that her. round arm under
his Just seemed to lit; he found,
too, that-her voice set echoes to
rinxjnk Id 4 decidedly lonely heart,
and. at the end Of that brilliant
street gay with Christmas spirit.
he found that. II he were not in
love at first sight, he was expert
encing,a first class imitation.
After a merry lunch he put her
on 4 car that she informed him
would take her to the suburban
home where she boarded, and be.
FORE he reltsEed her. he had her
promise to attend a play With him.
He watched the a bear her
from sight, and turned homeward.
aAnnabel-bow good the nama
sounds! Gray eyes and friendly
eyes! I guess Saint Nick took a
hand in bringing US together there.
Funny how you stumble, now and
then, here In this tremendous city.
on some one you know! Aunahel-