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Show SANTA'S REINDEERS By May Anneslcy Rigdon i " (CO. l'Jlltl. Western NewnpulJer rnlun.l ssIlEKI! was a past Christmas cve tnilt stood out in bold T ft . prominence lu the mind of "oss Evans, as be lounged J?.-yj lu a luxurious elm I r In his i tili r0("" "t the hotel and wove 2$&-C fond, reminiscent, and then hopeful anticipatory dreams. Tt'j Evans was a successful circus cir-cus man, but not of the ring type. Within With-in two years he had won the envious distinction of being a leader In Ids' line as advance agent and advertising man. The shows were off of the road for the winter season now, and a few days -before Christmas there came a great longing to the wanderer to see the old friends at home. There was Mrs. Alice Dnlryuiple, whose husband had "been the best friend Evans ever had. There was her house full of little lit-tle children and Ivy Clary's peerless beauty and grace, who had come Into his life as a winning spirit of gentleness. gentle-ness. It was because of his remembrnnco of his last Christmas eve In Weston thnt he thought of her now. How fer- veiitly be recalled the merry hours with the brood of liltle Dnlrymptes, and one Incident that had tinged his whole career, when he and Ivy were alone trimming the Christinas tree. She wore a rose colored, broad ribbon belt, and he was steadying her on a stool. As she was adjusting some tinsel tin-sel Its perfumed ends swept bis face. With an impulse he could not analyze Evans put out one hand, seized the bit of finery and pressed It to his lips. "Be careful !" he muttered quickly, for Ivy had nearly lost her balance. She had witnessed the fervent gesture of Evans In the mirror. She stepped to the floor, her face crimson, her eyes showing half fright, and breathless with emotion. In Intense tones he whispered : "I am thinking of leaving Weston, bnt If you care for me " and then Mrs.' Dalrymple abruptly entered the room and Evans had no further opportunity op-portunity of seeing Ivy alone. The next day a position with the circus wnf offered and he gave heed to the call of ambition. His eyes glowed now. and there was a rapt smile on his face as he took up a pencil and tilled in a telegraph blank. It was to Mrs. Dalrymple. It read : "Santa Claus will drop In on your dear little ones at eight o'clock Christmas Christ-mas eve. Hne them ready for the surprise of their lives. I hope that pretty cousin of yours is still with you."' "It can't offend her." reflected Evans. "It may remind. Pear girl ! the big success I have made shrinks very small when I think of her precious worth." and Evans arose to greet the man who had charge of the show's winter quarters. "I've followed your orders, Mr. Evans," he said. "The reindeers are In excellent shape. I've trimmed them WWW up as you suggested. The wardrobe has a Santa Claus outfit so you're all rlghi." "Good !" nodded Evans briskly. "I'll have to start for Weston early, but people will suppose I am giving them an advance advertising stunt. Some class to my scheme, eh?" "You are always original," commented comment-ed the old circus man. One of the favorite "stunts" of Ross Evans had been to make his advance route with the high single-seated buggy and avpair of the circus reindeers. rein-deers. He was proud of his team.K It was a 20-piile drive to Weston. I. ate In the afternoon, arrayed lu Santa Claus costfnne, Evans started on his trip. Mrs. Dalrymple had the little lit-tle ones posted at the windows, and the Christmas tree was lighted. At the sound of sleigh hells she switched on the outside electric light. Into the yard roadway came the most ravishing ly delightful Kriss Kriagle with his wonderful reindeers bedecked and dazzling daz-zling with gleaming tinsel and holly. It was like a dream, those ensuing two hours. And Ivy assisted, and II seemed like a paradise to the wanderer tn revel amidst such joyous friendliness. friendli-ness. And when the little ones had gone to bed, as on that other Christmas Christ-mas eve. he stood beside Ivy. "I am going to tell you what my heart longed to Impart to you Just two years ago tonlgbi." be said. "Wait." she fluttered. "I can guess for 1 had hoped." and she flitted from the room. It was to return wearing the rose-colored sash. He knew it was his arrswer as she hid her blushing face. As he drew her to his arms a peal of m-rry Christmas bells echoed forth. And amid the jo and glamor and love of that radian' hour, neither saw the shadow of an other parting. I |