Evening star., 1898-12-24

shan't hear. I am Ruthie. and I'm a very
good girl" slowly whispered the voice. pull
ing the thiefs arm to bring his face to her
level
please dear santagI walked up. cause
have kiss for you. II4ift hne up so 1 can
give it to YOU. u
1t was said so softly as to be hardly per-
ceptible to his sensitive hearing. and, in
for himself he was himpetled to pull the
| mask from his face and thke the child in
his embrace. Two delicate, warm hands
pressed either rough cheek, and two moist
red lips touched his under his mustache
with a softness and svilinsness that were
electrical. He would have gone to prison
sooner than now have, harmed or afrrighted
that embodiment of love and innocence He
could not even bear to dispel ner belief that
he was the good old Kris Kringle. He was
| ashamed of himself and touched to the
quick. u
Put me down now," commanded the
whisper in his ear. Il want to see my dol
lie.' He put her down, and an exclama-
ton, too loud for the mans safety, broke
from her lips. "Oh, such beautiful
A rough hand was laid firmly but gently
across her lips, and again the hoarse, low
Hush brought obedience Wisely nod
ding her head, Ruthie hugged the golden
haired figure to her heart. Standing on
tiptoe, she pulled her companion toward
her.
What is her name?'
A shake of the others head expressed his
Don't you speak like l do?" wondered
the child. .
second shake answered and then an
other hand touch stilled the voice that cried
out at sight of the little house. Penitently
she pulled the hand away and holding it
pressed kiss upon it. Tears started to
the thiefs eyes. The shame of his life
stock dark and plain against the Whiteness
and purity of this chid's faith Unmarried,
he had never felt the ennobling touch of
chlldhood before and now it awoke his soul.
He would have restored all he had ever
taken in his life to have possessed and
been deserving the love of this weakling.
rs there something for mamma?" asked
the little one.
He nodded his head, but felt ashamed
even to deceive her
"And papa?' came the light but anxious
query.
Another nod and another twinge in heart,
something so unusual but not unwelcome
row.
Where are they?'
He paused, uncertain how to reply and
then, light breaking in upon his mind from
within his heart, he pointed toward the
sack.
''All that?" in slow, pleased tones came
the next. ''Oh Santa Claus, my papa and
mamma are very lovely people and you
needn't be afraid they don't deserve, cause
they do"
up in his arms-the dolie crushed there,
too-and he kissed her as if she had been
his own, and his heart yearned as hunted
mems do at times for one like her. Then
he bore her softly to the bed, placed her in
it and knelt at the side. He drew a pencil
and rough piece of paper from his pocket.
Then he wrote a few lines laborously and
poking more than one hole through the
paper because of the soft counterpane un-
der it. Tiptoeing back to the sack he paced
the sheet upon it, Ruth watched him in
silence, believing he was leaving the pres
ents for her dear ones, and as he came back
to the bed up went the two arms Just as
they always did for her papa at bed time
The thief took them in his hands and kissed
them again and again. He did not touch
her lips; he felt his unworthiness now, and
then he softly stole to- the outer door and
passed into the darkness of the hall
Der Madam, the litel one seen me an
leVe the Things. Doant tel her want
Santey Claws. Yors trooly.''
That was the note on the sack found
when the Christmas morning light stream
ed into Ruths chamber. w OSGOOD