The San Francisco call., 1901-12-15

erow. reckless. irresponsible, indif-
ferent under the strain of enforced
al idleness. During the long weeks
since the mills had shut down shs
had been a stanch and brave wife
and had never finched with the struesie
with novertv. Sometimes. however wheh
she lad seen Toms flushed face and eX-
cited eyes she had wondered why, IL there
was money for drink baby must do with
ont rourishing food: for herself, it did not
matter. But with tkg fine reserve OF
strong nature she scorned to make ccnl-
plant
More and more often Tom came home
unsteady and unnatural and after he hau
fallen into a heavy sleep she would creep
into babv's cot. shivering in nervous re-
uuIsiou and would remember how, when
q hjgh-spirited girl. she had said on near
irr Of the suffering of other women, IL
ever nv husband should drink ] would
leave him the very first time Then
baby-s scft little hand would slip UP to
her face and baby's warm breath would
send an electric thrill TO her heart and she
would pity the Eirl she once was, all
ignorant of the strong tie that binds a
woman to the father CT her first child In
the morning she would greet Tom. not
with reproaches but with hot coffee
vifely cheer and words of encourage
nent: Don't get blue. dear. l am sure
our troubles viii end soon"
Tn spite Of her hopes. however it
looked as though Christmas would dawn
with the mills still idle. But in some
way baby must have the walking doll she
coveted She had written a funny little
letter 10 Santa Claus asking for it. and.
TO make doubly sure. had prayed Gcd TO
member Santa Claus about it. She mad
even gone 50 far as 20 direct both God
and Santa Claus at what shop the walk
ing doll could be found. Her tender lirHe
heart must not he broken by disappoi2J
ment So Jean had done what Tom had
always been too proud TO have her do be
fore-she had got scme piecework at Mil
ler's shop. and for the last few days had
been working carly and late
On the morning before Christmas ,n'
work was fiuisheG-three dozen children
night-drcsses. for which Jean was to re-
coive a dollar and a half. just the pr.ce
Of the walking doll. With smiling lace
she rose from her sewing machine. Tarn
lad been moving about the room resi-
lessly.
1T makes a pretty big bundle. Tom.
she said as she cid UP The garments.
'.but L guess you can manage it. On your
way home get"
She looked mcaningly at baby fer the
completion Of the sentence. \ mom"sit
afterward a parg came TO her he2rf.
What if Ton-bUt she angrily slew tha
thought. Mas not baby Toms as we'll as
hers? She was growing too harsh in Aer
feelings toward Tom Thus she r.
preached herself ard kissed him good ny
more tenderly than usual. while baby
called after him. IF you see Santa Claus.
papa. member him about the walking
DOLL
Late In tie afternoon Jean and baby
sat at the WINDOW of the little kitchen,
peering into the tenement court below, the
chiId's eyes ftll Of expectancy. the motk-
er's fine brow knit into frown. Baby's
shriu prattle smote jeans heart rather
than her ear. At dusk Jean gathered the
child to her arms, and said:
Listen 10 mamma. baby You mustn't
expect any dollie this evening
Won't Santa Claus bring it," said
baby. with trembling lip.
Santa Claus is dead said Jean. bit
terly.
Baby looked bewildered. This was news
too awful for comprehension. too big for
baby's tears. With prescience of what
was coming. Jean carried the child across
the tenement-house hall. TO play with her
neighbors children. for kind Mrs. Schmidt
loved baby as her own child.
rs God dead, too?'' whispered baby as
her mother set her down.
mo. darling said Jean. gently Don't
feel bad, dear You have Rosie left"
Jean returned to her lonely watch at the
window. in the mournful gray twilight of
Christmas eve. Her heart was swollen
and aching. Involuntarily her thoughts
went back to the past and dweit upon one
whose life was clean and strong but very
lonely because she had given her heart to
Tom. II she had married John Stirling
all her loyal wifehood rose up against the
thought She shivered It must be ner-
vousness at the childs disappointment
that made her so weak. She would not
accuse Tom yet-some accident might
have happened.
But even with the thought she saw him
shutting across the court below: one look
at his face as he entered the doorway TO
come UP their staircase, and she knew all.
She was standing with her comely figure
drawn to its full height, and her hands
claspeo behind her. when Tom entered
the room shamefacedly. His eyes shifted
Uneasily. Perhaps If he had not smiled
foolishly as he spoke Jean could have for
given him.
Didn't mean to, Jean. Met Jim Haley.
He treated, and
A swordlike look from jeans scornful
eyes cut short his pitful excuse
Jean, 1 saved a quarter" he said. dep
recatingly, producing the money from his
pocket.
Jean was putting on her hat and coat.
She neither saw nor heard. One consum
ing wrath for pity Of her baby possessed
her.
Tom was thoroughly frightened. He
was used to reticence instead of re
1,1rff