The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1895-12-20

helped the rO0r-indeed he had never
listened to their appeals.
He had important business in an.
other city which would keep him
away all through Cristmas week, he
explained to Mrs. Murray, and he
must leave that evening. In the
afternoon he muffled himself in great
coat and furs and drove away, and as
soon as the carriage was half way
down the hill the servants relaxed
from their usual stiff propriety and
began to enjoy themselves in their
own way.
A telegram was handed to Mr.. Rob
crts at the station as he was about to
buy his ticket. What little things
sometimes change the whole course OF
life. The information thus received
made the trip unnecessary, and after
lettering about the city for awhile he
returned home on foot and entered
his house quietly by side door.
Sounds Of bOister0us merriment
came from the servants quarters, and
the owner Of the house frowned omi-
nously. So this was the way they
took advantage of his absence?
He made his way to his study, I'M
seen by any one and shut himself In
Il lonely, dcsolate, selfish old man.
Even the fire, which still burned in
the CRATE, annoyed him, and he with
drew behind a screen and threw him.
self into an easy chair. He heard
Mrs. Murray come in after awhile,
but she only moved about softly and
deco ~uosly, setting things in order,
and he did not speak. She was just
passing into the sitting room when
she gave little cry of alarm, followed
by an exclamation:
"Mercy me, child. Howyou fright
ened me !"
"Mrs. Murray" said IL thin little
voicc-a voice that Mr.. Roberts had
heard beforc-"I've come up here to
stay all night !"
The listener behind the screen heard
Mrs. Murray fall into chair and
again she cried, Mercy met
II Just had to come!" the eager
voice went on. Mothers very, very
sick-and she needs things, Mrs. MUIR
ray-and maybe Santa Claus might
bring 'em if he knew and how is he
to know when he never comes there
But l knew If | went to some fine
house he'd come and find me, and so l
came here"
"Poor child 4! Poor child !"
Mrs. Murray had gathered the little
waif to her bosom and was rocking
her softly to and fro. The old gen
tleman behind the screen could see
that by the shadow on the floor. Ht
could see, too, that the housekeepel
was furtively wiping her eyes.
Presently she rallied and said cheer
fully:
"I'll tell you what we'll do, Mario
rie. I'll go right down and see youl
mother, and you shall 60 with me
and, who knows, maybe Santa Claus
will come there after ALL"
"Oh, no, he won't ~ replied the
child with sorrowful conviction
"You don't know that place! Santa
Claus has never heard of it He goes
to rich peoples houses, and SO I've
come here, and l must see him to.
night-oh, must, Mrs. Murray!
don't care for any other Christina
after this, but l must see him t.,
night, on mothers account, yot
know!"
There was a dismayed silence ~
Mrs. Murray's part, but presently s'n'
said:
swell, come along into Mr.. Roberts
study-thank goodness he's away fro n
homeland sit here before the fire TIL
| come back. III take John and g
down and see your mother"
Z In another minute the sound OF ne
retreating footsteps had died away
and the old gentleman, peeping fron
behind the screen, saw little flgaTv
sitting before the fire, gazing inte-ntl
! into the glowing Goals.
Dusk was settling down over tn
city. He had not been consciou', OF !
, until the electric burner above hi
q table flashed into sudden rad lance
n The fash startled the child and h
, heard her moving softly about. Wha
was she doing? Preparing to stea
v something, probably. These c',ildre
! from the tenement districts were a.
: thieves.
But, no! When he ventured TO loo
r again, she was at the study ia osc-hl
|, table-writing. She had his sacre
pen, which no other mortal had eve
dared to touch, and she was writin
, slowly and laboriously. Could prt
' sumption 70 farther than that? VIVA
( would these people be trying to d
next?
1t took her long time to write tn
letter, but at last 1t was finished, an
) she laid down the pen with . wear
0 sigh. Then she unrolled = little bur
. die that had been lying besidsher an
!. shook out-could the watcher oeliev
G his eyes?--a stocking, poor forlorl
l ragged little stockingl Nov wha
o could she want with that!
n She stood on tiptoc and peere
. a round thu cnrnars Of the ulantel tOr