The St. Johns herald., 1922-01-19
Nick Takes a Hand
By A. W. PEACH

Copyright, 1922. Western Newspaper Union.
 Some expert at window display had arranged a number of dolls of mixed varieties in amusing and ridiculous at titudes. Braxton had been grinning at them some time when his eye caught a curly tendril of dark hair just over the smooth cheek of the girl near him who was giggling into the hushing si- lence of her huff.
 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 d friends. He returned the look with the same thought, and with a haZy memory of 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 girl he saw who seemed as lonely as he.
 She paused. Why, I do not be- lieve yOu-yOu-" her hesitation in- creased to a bit of fear, but she went on "are you Scott BraxtOn, who lived in East Mansfield in Vermont? r."
 "I 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, 1 am Annabel MOrris-the little girl you used to play with years and years ago. I wonder-dO you re- member mel" she questioned shyly.
 He laughed My memory of those days is a trifie hay, but do remem- Der little midget of a girl by that name; and once in a while I hear in- directly of her; and am certainly glad to see her grown up, and l am glad, too, that she is right here; and -Once mOre|I am not going to let her get away from me if I can help it. Now, you"
 She turned to the window, and the tantalizing tendril came again into his view. "Well, it does seem honestly good to see you. l 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? 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.
 Speak to me, then" 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 foot of space to Spare!"
 "Let'sl" she agreed.
 They started in on their trip through 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 fit; he found, too, that her voice set echoes to ringing in decidedly lonely heart, and at the end of that brilliant street gay with Christmas spirit, he found that, if he were not in love first-class imitation.
 After a merry lunch he put her on car that she informed him would take her to the suburban home where she boarded, and before he released her, he had her promise to attend a play with him.
 He watched the car bear her from sight, and turned hOmeward. Anna bel-hOw good that name sounds Gray eyes and friendly eyesl I guess Saint Nick took hand in bringing us together there. Funny how you stumble. now and then, here in this tremendous city, on someone you know! Annabel-LOrd, Pm in love with her right of :"
 Happy evenings followed. She was busy during the day as an attendant in the office of a physician where her training as a nurse was of value and her personality an asset. In the eve ming, however, they found happiness 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. Really, Scott, I don't think we bet ter see each other again."
 The shock broke down the barriers. don't mean" He caught himself, put his hands on her shoulders. and spoke swiftly: "You know I am deep in love with yOu-and you are"