The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-12-18
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5santaiin Brass Buttons
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Mary Miles, as she stared across
the street from the Metropolitan
Dairy lunch IA the window display
Of Williams & Co.'s department
stnte rising six imposing stories
laboya the busy street, reflected on
romance and luxury. True, sh9
wanted to be loved for herself
alone, but what, with Dan Rouke's
assurance iinned daily In her eai
that she could bling light even to
o blind mans eyes, could prevent
one9of those richly clad, important
looking men In the passing throng
from loving her with equal ardor!
II might even be the young MT.
Wilson, she reflected. as later.
slibrn Of her waitress apron AMI
cap and attired in a bargain priced
yet attractive fur coat and fur
todue atop her rlotously golden
head, abe paused on the front
street among the busy Christmas
shpppIng throhg and pulling OF
= ,tRNk ht0NGpr RthuSGu ubWhAA HS"NA ~
the store offices.
And patfolman Dan 1!ouke. hap
ping along as usual as Mary left
home. failed to understand her
Distraction, as she answered his
iual greetings listlessly.
.I.m Off tonight, darlln," he whis.
hered into her hat. GLOW about a
1moyie?" But as he took her arhl
she wriggled away.
II had to come sooner or latc:,
thought Mary. What chance to at
taelSSe moneyed cavalier with po'
licem j always at her side?
mot tonight, Damon any
more she told him, trying to case
Ris evident hurt with a soft smile.
acan't you SEQ Dan, they'll think
I'm ID shoplifter-you takln' my
arm that way. Please"
sBut, darlin,' protested Dan,
dumfounded, they'll know differ.
emit. An later, when yo'ro lnspec.
tor Rouke's wife, they'll DO smilin'
atye."
sI.m not even Officer Rouke's
wife now she answered, mildly
positive, sand l won't ever be.
And, Dan, I'm in q hurry
Ban stared dumfoundedly as she
left him and hurried for her car /.
What could be tao matter? And
Just before Christmas, too!
Twas the day before Christmas
and Wilson & Co.'s windows still
weayed their charms, not only for
Mary Miles and other thousands
but also for little. Petey Rollins.
sGeei" exclaimed Petey, his
smudged nose pressed against the
toy window. "Gee!"
Toys Of all descriptions. choo
choo cars that ran on tracks, wag.
ons, sleds, dancing dolls that shlm'
tnied when wound, games, bats
balls, gloves-and skates. Ice
skates whose razor edges gleamins
under a. thousand window lights
cut clean into the ten.year.old's
Noyetous brain. What mattered q
frayed shoe on their smooth foot
rests? Geel thought Petey. It must
be gtedt to have q pair like that.
any pair. The Welfare organiZa.
tion would have a Christmas din
ner ati the RoIlinses-but no, no:
skates.
And back in the alley, whence
Petey now drifted, there were more
OF them, heaps more, being loaded
into the big drays. And as he lean
edagainst a wall a full dray rumh
led by noisily under It's overflow
ing load, dropping as It passed a
box that fell and broke.
Fate had answered Petey's most
deyout wish! Therein the alley
10y q pair of skates! He rubbed hi
eyes tnbelieylng1y, then advanced
cautiously, picked them UP and
clutched them in his tiny arms
Losti And he had found them! HIS
own gift from Santa!
eHey you" A harsh voice broke
on Petey's ear and a heavy han
fell on his slender shoulder. "A
bfawny shipping clerk glared a.
him, $50 that's your game, Ell!
Yer tn guy that's been liftin' stuff
9th drays; Come yere with me!
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