The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-12-15
EUening Story
Nick Takes a Hand
BY A. ". PEACH.


attitudes. Braxton had been grinning
at them some time when his eye
caught curly tendril of dark hair
just over the smooth cheek of the girl
near him who was giggling into the
hushSng silence Of her muff.
Just then she lifted her gray, laugh
ing eyes to his as she turned away
from the window to depart. Her quick
look indicated recognition in the sense
that one feels when a strangers face
resembles a friends, He returned the
look with the same thought, and with
a hazy memory of a1rash resolve that
he had almost made, never to spend
another lonely Christmas in the city,
but to go out and speak to the first
girl he saw who seemed as lonely
as he.
She paused. "Why, do not believe
you-You-'' her hesitation increased
to a bit of fear. but she went on-'are
you Scott Braxton. who lived in East
Mansfield in Vermont? l.
Il am the same chap" he said,
somewhat eagerly 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 you used to play with years
member me? ?" she questioned shyly.
He laughed. My memory of those
days is a trifle hay but 1 do remem-
Der a little midget of a girl by that
name; and once in a while 1 hear in
Directly of her; and 1 am certainly
glad to see her grown up; and 1 am
glad too that she is right here; and
once more-I am not going to let
her get away from me if can help it.
Now vOII--''
She turned to the window, and the
tantalizing tendril came again into his
view. well, it does seem honestly
good to see you. 1 am really alone
except--well, it's only a few days from
Christmas; and it does seem as if-as
if two people ought to be mixed up
in Christmas. Don't you think so? I.
mean two to share the Christmas
spirit
do I? I should say I did. I was
just going out to speak to the first
lonely girl I met" he said with zeal.
fSpeak to me, them" she reminded
him.
''I will. Let's look at these win
dows along the street. Some Of these
chaps can make a fairyland behind
a pane of glass without a foot of space
to spared"
'Lets!" she agreed.
They started in on their trip thru
fairyland. They admired, laughed
and unused before the Christmas win
dows; they found they enjoyed the
same windows. He found that her
round arm under his just seemed to
echoes to ringing in a decidedly lonely
heart, and at the end of that brilliant
street gay with Christmas spirit, he
found that if he. were not in love at
first sight, l. was experiencing a first
class imitation.
A ~ L.
on ear that she informed him
would take herto the suburban home
where she boarded, and before he re-
leased her, he had her promise to at
tend a play with him.
He watched the car bear her from
sigh, and turned homeward. Anna
bef-hoW good that name 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
knowl Annabel-Lord, I'm In love
with her right off"
Happy evenings followed. She was
busy during the day as an attend
ant in the office of a physician where
her training as a nurse was of value
and her personality an asset. In the
evening, however, they found happi-
ness in the Christmas spirit abroad
In their chats, she recalled memories
of the little village, and his own fresh
ened. with the result that he was
drawn even closer to her.
Then came tragic moment. Real
ly, Scott, I don't think we better see
each other again.
The shock broke down the barriers.
"Why-what-yo don't mean"
He caught himself, put his hands on
her shoulder, and spoke swiftly: "You
know am deep in love you-and you
are
Her head was down. Eyes, Scott, I
am afraid-because AMI am learn
ing to love-you-and there are rea-
sons why Mol pleased"
She broke from his arms. His quick
step toward her was stayed by voice,
Scott, some one wants to see you-a
Miss Annabel Morris and her father"
He turned to his friend in whose
apartment he roomed and where he
and the Annabel he loved had come to
a tragic crisis. But I don't"
Neither do I!'' his friend replied.
But she's in the reception room talk
ing to my wife!''
At the end of that hour scott went
to his room, somewhat dazed, but be-
ginning to understand. The true Anna
bel and her father had come to the
city for Christmas, and being utran
gers there. had looked him up. and he
had met them; there was no doubt of
that. The other Annabel was a clear
imposteF. but-"She's the one iove;'
was his decision.
She had fled at the first words of
his friend. Scott tried to find her by
telephone; then remembering that she
had dropped the name of her physf-
clan employer, he telephoned him. The
calm voice said he knew no one by
that name, but there was a young lady
of the description given who had Just
notified him that she was leaving the
city. Rather sudden, he thought.
He must have thought Scott rather
sudden. for he did not wait. A taxi
sped him to the great station. Fran
ticaliy ne tore about. locating every
train that was due to leave in order
of time. Suddenly, peering thru a
gate, he saw her. dashed IN and drew
her back from the steps She
trembled as she saw him and was
powerless.
"Annabei. what he began
Please" she begged breathlessly,