The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1921-12-16

at him because they were mott The
sonhmentais kind.
HDon't dare bring & IN here to
clutter Things up" they warned.
"oh. all right he returned
rather sadly. "I'llput It up inl tho
yard, But I'm going 20 have u
Christmas. tree, whether you like I;
or not"
( He put on his skis and went out
/ into the biting cold, while the
. others sat about a sheetiron stove
and played cards. Three miles
Larry went over snow-covered hills
and Snow.fllled valleys and cut his
tree. 1t was little fellow. and he
placed 1t across his shoulders when
he started back.
The snow had Nphliterated What
few landmarks existed. and Larry
was lost before he realized It. For
hours he trudged, carrying the tree,
which he would not desert. It was
too cold to remain inactive. so he
kept on trusting to luck to lead
him on Al1e right track.
At the top OF long slope he
paused and watched a thin wreath
OF smoke curl up from somewhere
below. There must be some kind
Of habitation there, although !; vas
not visible from the spot whcrc
Larry stood.
Adjusting the tree to a more
comfortable position, he started
down the slope. The skis carried
! him along at O rapidly increasing
speed until he seemed to fly.
! OF sudden something happen
cd. shack nestled against tha
foot Of the slope, which broke OF
there to form low Cliff. Larry
dashed down. tho slope right ontD
the root OF the shack and plunged
on into a snowbank bf huge d.
lnensluns, while his skis went ty-
ing IN different directions. Head
| fret he dived into the snow ana
was nearly smothered before ha
could dig himself ont. When he
accomplished this task. die stool
rathor dazed for a moment gazing
IN at Christmas tree which Pre-
liected straight heavenward from
the snow bank.
A girls voice brought him out OF
the dnze, and he turned 10 see her
standing in the shanty door.
III that isn't Larry Wilmer"
she cried in clear, musical tone
That might have come from Christ
mas bells. Come here to mo at
once"
Yes, it was Matilda, and Larry
went
give an account OF yourself. Father
| has gone on a scouting expedition.
trying to find out where We are,
we came out With a horse anG
sleigh to inspect the route OF dad
new railroad, but the heavy snow
lfall blotted ont the road and TH
had 10 stop. The shack happened
Ito be handy, so we're using it az
hotel. The horse Is In the shed"
! Larry went into the shack, mis-
body dlpmb from cold and mis-
senses IN much the same condition,
due to the surprise he had received.
He warmed his hands at the fire
while the girl ratified on.
"And your husband?" Larry oh.
served when he found chance to
slip In a word. did he come with
you?"
"My husband? What do-arc
you joking?"
mo; you we're married a year
apo. we're you uOt?"
She smiled; rather wistfully it
seemed.
our house last Christmas. but the
bride was Aunt Matilda. wanted
to be one, though, I'll confess, but
I'd have picked a different groom.
Now, where have you"
There is something about all
evergreen tree. There is nothing
like it at Christmas time for those
who are in the least sentimental.
Through a dirtstained window
of the shack those two young peo-
pie saw the green boughs sprouting
from a bank Of snow, end-they
were sentimental.
/ Copyright, 1921, by the Mcclure
Newspaper Ss'udicate.)