The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-12-18
''An angel sent by heaven appeared
And filed the plain with light"

And filed the plain with light"
In the cottage the children still slept on
undsturbed. The boy seized the groom 5
hand young Edward being much relieved
in his mind at the baskets being empted,
and they slipped away into the darkness.
when a little cough made them pause and
when the cough was succeeded by cruch-
ing footsteps approaching the cottage,
they halted altogether to see who was out
on that cold night. Soon a figure came
into view, and passed so near that the
watchers, drawn back in the bushes, saw
clearly a man, well wrapped up, come
right UP to the cottage. He paused at
the door and listened, and stealthily crept
next to the window.
who is liz" Robert Henry whisper
ed.
"Burglarizing being fashionable" young
Edward whispered grimly back, Il should
say he was up to that inconvenient spe-
cies of larks."
obj said Robert Henry, a horrible
thought turning his rosy face white. "He
must have watched me through the win
dow and seen the pocketbook and presents,
and-an-oh Edward he's going to
rob-these-poor children! Ow!'
Young Edward gripped the boys hand
hard, and Kissed with ferocious determi-
nation.
'Im-excuse me- Master Robert-if he
does. I'll see him-eXcuse me again, Mas
ter Robert-frst"
Thank you, Edward If you kin him
I'll promise not to tell" said Robert Hen
ry with great emotion.
The marauder all unconscious of watch
ers, left the window and slipped round
the house, just as Robert Henry had done;
found the window just as the boy had
done; raised it and crept in just as the
boy had done.
Lets look what he does" whispered the
boy, and they went to the window and
peeped in. 1t was horrible. The wretch
had taken off his shoes and the children
were still undisturbed. The brute had
crept to the mantel and they saw him
look at the stockings and then turn to the
table where lay the purse Edward was
trembling with indignation.
Here, Master Robert Henry" said he
Hes a big man and could do up you and
me. Quick as you can run to your papa's
Bring him down and whoever else You
see. III run to Nat, the fisherman's, and
bring him. 1t won't take a minute and
wen have him sure"
They were off. They tore through the
drifts; they slipped and fell and were up
and off again, gasping, painting wet, blind
with snow, but hot with fierce rage at the
robber Robert Henry was back soon with
Mr.. Van Gravaelsoeck and almost at the
same instant young Edward brought Nat
the fisherman. They gathered at the door
and We're about to break in, while one
watched the window, when Nat suddenly
drew them back.
Listen" said he. I know that voice.
That's no burglar"
They peeped through the window. Be-
hold the lamp was turned up, and the fire
replenished In an armchair sat a thin
worn man in uniform, who looked as II
he had just returned from war and fever
and distant lands. His arms were about
Katy who wept on his breast, and MicIv
and Sukey danced deliriously marvellous
pas-de-deuX in the most scant and chilly
costumes ever seen out of an opera house
And Katy and Micky and Sukey we're sub
bling and sowing in hysterlcal chorus:
Dada! oh, Dada! We're so glad! We
thought you would never, never come to
US again.
The tears were running down the cheeks
Of the soldier. He did not speak. bur
suddenly little Sukey spied the dreadfuuv
gorged condition of the stockings and the
bundles, and chrieked:
santa Claus has been here! Hoorayr'
Katy looked up in surprise and her faith.
er said:
"who was IT, Katy? A real Santa
Clausw
I know" said Micky, 1T was the Ora
ganseek boy 1t wasr'
on! dada" said Katie We were lonely
and sad and-and hungry and he came this
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