The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1941-12-15
10 SERIAL STORY
HIS CHRISTMAS
lHlDnI ~ ADELAIDE
lLAnUL MARITIME
CHAPTER VIII

EuAs. mere were employees TOO
busy with their own exchange Of
gifts to give the usual attention
to customers. II took close super
vision to reconcile the two. But
Mr.. Dearborn accepted IT as a
part Of the Christmas pageant
ITS all over but the shouting
he used 10 say happily. as he
stood on the balcony and looked
down on the final crowds pushing
their way across the first floor.
Even the girls look glad that it's
about finished"
He didn't resent the inertia that
set in during the last few hours
before the holiday. He understood
it and sympathized.
Not SO with Mr.. Herrick. He
came TO Carols office now. NUT
tering his resentment Of the last
minute let-down. You'd think
yesterday was Christmas" he
complained. "Everybody's lolling
on the counters. Go around and
wake them up. Carol"
Carol stared at him. Why was
he asking her, when that was the
Job of girls in his own office? He
looked nervous, too. Or was it
exaltstion?
You mean you want me To go
around and see that customers are
getting attention.
What else? Tell some of those
girls there amt no Santa Claus
He laughed at his own Joke.
OF course. She'd be glad to
go Yet she couldn't help wonder
ing why he had chosen her.
Where's the boss? ," he asked
as she started TO leave.
out in the store somewhere.
Shall find him for you ,"
mo. Never mind. Just get
after the girls for me"
She had covered the upper
floors and had reached the base
ment when she heard the scream.
1t was followed by running feet
and the appearance of a girl cry
ing. Quick Somebody, quickl
The toyland elevators fallen. Full
of children"
Carol gasped, rushed for the
nearest phone, called the store
doctor.
Then she was pushing her way
through the crowd gathered in
front of the elevator pit.
Andy. Bill and a dozen men
were struggling to open the shaft.
They were prying the big iron
doors free now. Voices of The
trapped children rose in terror.
Mr.. Herrick, standing near
Carol. cursed.
Andy crawled down to the car
"a soon as he could squeeze
through the opening in the doors.
/ The elevator rested on the bottom
Of the pit and the children were
piled on top of one another, so
panic-stricken they couldn't un-
tangle arms and legs.
Andy was talking to the chill
dren. soothing them. One by one
he began lifting them up. Bill
leaned down and took them from
his arms, setting them on their
feet in front of Carol.
The doctor came and examined
them. They were badly frightened
yet none seemed seriously hurt.
But when they were almost all
out. Carol heard Andy say sharp
ly, Get another man, Bill. We
can't manage this one alonei"
He was bending over the figure
of a boy lying on the floor of the
elevator. The boy clutched little
girl in his arms. Andy loosened
his hold and lifted the child away.
Then he picked up the boy.
Nicky, Carol thought frant-
cslly as she saw Andy lift the still
/ form.
Nicky's eyes were closed and he
was nnurmuring. she was so little
II didn't want her to get hurt"
They had him out of the pit
al last and Andy was holding him
again. Get an ambulance, Bill"
ne ordered. "Nicky fell on his
back with the weight of the other
children on top of him"
Bill hurried off.
Andy spoke briefly with the
doctor and together they tried to
make their way through the
crowd with Nicky. Nj Herrick
rushed up to Andy and Carol
heard him say. That elevator
should have been reported to me.
Andy. Bits been running 1t at
relief hours. He ought to know
IT needed repairs" His face vas
purpled with a guilt Andy was too
concerned over Nicky to see.
Carol seethed. Mr.. Herrick vas
/ trying TO blame Bill He would
do anything to save hrs own skin.
II Was a shame Shed go 10
Andy herself and tell him about
that interview Bill had with Mr..
I Herrick. Shed see that Andy
knew the truth.
But not now. Now she wouldn't
even mention il 10 Bill because
first they must get these crying
children home.
She suggested TO Bill that they
CONTINUED on Page Eleven)