The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1895-12-20

to Mrs. Murray, and he must leave that
evening In the afternoon he muf1ed
himself in bis gFeatcoat and furs and
drove away, and as soon asthe carriage
was half way down the hill the servants
relaxed from their usual stiff pVopriety
aud began to enjoy themseif in their
own way.
A telegram was handed to Mr. Rob
erts at the station as he was about to
buy his ticket What little things
sometimes change the whole course Of
a lifeI 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 a side door.
Sounds of boisterOus merriment
came from the servants quarters, and
the owner of the house fFOwned omin-
ously. So this was the way they took
advantage of his absence?
He made his way to his study, unseen
by any one, and shut himself ina
lonely, selfish, desOlate old man. Even
the fire, which still burned in the CRATE,
annoyed him, and he withdrew behind
a screen and threw himself into an
easy chair. He heard Mrs. Murray
come in after awhile, but she only
moved about softly and deCorously,
setting things in order, and he did not
speak. She was just passing into the
sitting room when she gave a little cry
of alarm, followed by the exclamation:
"Mercy me, child How you fright
ened me-"
Mrs. Murray" said thin little voice
"a voice that Mr.. Roberts had heard
befOFe-"I've come up here to stay ell
night"
The listener behind the screen heard
Mrs. Murray fall into a chair and again
she cried, 'Mercy mel'
Il just had to comet" the eager voice
went on. Mothers very, very sick
and she needs things, Mrs. Murray
and maybe Santa Claus might bring
'em if be knew-snd how is he to know
when he never comes there? But I
knew if I went to some fine house he'd
come and find me, and so I came here. 3"
"Poor child! Poor childw
Mrs. Murray had gathered the little
waif to her bosom and was rocking her
softly to and fro. The old gentleman
behind the screen could see that by
the shadow on the floor. He could see,
too, that the housekeeper was furtively
wiping her eyes.
Presently she rallied and said
cheerily;
"I'll tell you what we'll do, Marjorie.
I'll go right down and see your mother,
and you shall go with me, and, who
knows, maybe Santa Claus will come
there, after all"
ooh, no, he won'tI" replied the child
with sorrOwful conviction. "YOu don't
know that place! Santa Claus has
never heard of it'll He goes to rich
peoples houses, and so I've come here,
and I must see him to-night-oh, I
must, Mrs. Murray! I don't care for
any other Christmas after this, but I
must see him tonight, On mothers
account, you know"
"There was a dismayed silence on
Mrs. Murray's part, but presently she
said:
swell, come along into Mr.. Roberts
study-thank goodness he's away from
homeland sit here before the fire till
I come back. I'll take John and go
down and see your mother"
In another minute the sound of her
retresting footsteps had died away, and
the old gentleman, peeping from be-
hind the screen, saw a little figure sit
ting before the fire, gazing intently in
to the glowing Goals.
Dusk was settling down over the
city. He had not been conscious Of it
until the electric burner above his
table flashed into sudden radiance.
The flash startled the child, and he
heard her moving softly about. What
was she doing? Preparing to steal
something probably. These children
from the tenement districts we're all
thieves.
But, mol When be ventured to look
again, she was at the study tabie-his
table-writing. She had his sacred
pen, which no other mortal had ever
dared to touch, and she was writing
slowly and lsboriously. Could pre-
sumption go farther than that? What
would these people be trying to do
next?
It took her long time to write the
letter, but at last it was finished, and
she laid the pen down with a weary
sigh. Then she unroIled a little bundle
that had been lying beside her and
shook out-could the watcher believe
his eyes?-a stocking, q poor, forlorn.
ragged little stOckingl Nov what could
she want with thatf
She stood On tiptOe and peered