The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-01-13

be in a state of almost ludicrous embar-
rassment Several times he glanced APP
pealingly at Corporal Malone. but that
worthy veteran was gazing steadfastly
at his boots and feebly scratching the
back of his head
I'D rather have lost everything have
in the world than this should have hap
pened," continued the captain; but it's
done, and can't be undone. The poor fell
lows dead, and we can't bring him to life
again.
We'll, II don't know about that sir"
stammered the lieutenant The fact Is
that I-he-that is to say. We
He stopped suddenly, while the men tit
tered convulsively. and the captain stared
at him under the impression that he had
temporarily taken leave of his senses.
The simple fact is. sir" exclaimed the
lieutenant, desperately, that he isn't
dead"
isn't dead?" cried the captain. glaring
at the unfortunate subaltern. and then at
the grinning faces of the men Isn't
dead?'
mo, sir; I-you see. I couldn't get
those youngsters and-and the girl out OF
my mind-and-and so I told the men to
fire high, and I believe they-they did so.
Then l gave the poor chap a hint to fall
down as If he were dead, but II believe
he isn't"
1t was no longer possible to doubt that
he was very far from being dead. for hav-
ing heard what passed he had risen to
his feet and was holding Elsie, who was
half laughing and half crying with Joy,
in his arms
For several moments the captain stood
gazing at his command struck speechless
with wrath and amaZement at the trick
that had been played upon him. When
he eventually began to express his feel
ings he did so in language too vigorous
and idlomatic to bear repetition. Among
other things he informed them that he
would court-martial the whole lot of them,
that they deserved to be shot, and proba-
- Ill LIT
shame at having been placed in command
of men who were disgrace to the SER
vice.
And yet, singular to relate. he wound
up by heartily shaking hands with the
lieutenant, patting the corporal on the
back grinning amiably at the men. and
cordially wishing Elsie and her brother
merry Christmas. II was necessary to
maintain discipline, but the good fellow
found il impossible to conceal MS deNght
Mt so pleasant a climax to what had
threatened TO end in a terrible tragedy.
Then Mackenzie stepped forward and
took the lieutenant's hand in his.
Il was never any good at making
speeches he said, land l can't quite put
into words what l feel, but God knows l
shall never foget what you have done for
me this night.
Nor T. said Elsie in trembling voice,
never as long as 1 live.
Then she blushed and hung her head
because the lieutenant was regarding her
with an expression OF intense admiration
Seeing her blush he blushed too. mum
bled awkwardly that IL was the corporal
and the men they ought TO thank, and
that he had really done nothing, and that
If they had no objection he would like to
call and see how they We're getting on
in the morning. Then, after shaking
hands with them twice over he finally
marched away to the camp, looking ire
CuentIy over his shoulder as he went
A few minutes later Mackenzie was
stealing cautiously up the stairs 10 put
the remainder of the toys in the little
stockings. He was afraid that the firing
might have awakened the children, and
that IL would no longer be possible TO play
his part in the quaint old custom that
survives age after age wherever there are
kindly hearts and little children. And
vet at the bottom of his heart ne felt
half-unconscious jealousy OF the mythica!
Santa Claus to whom the children would
give all their gratitude for the poor lit
lie TOYS that ii had almost cost him his
life to bring them. \ ct ne would not
have awakened them on any account
That would have been to dispel the pretty
illusion he had been at such pains 10 pre-
serve in the past. Slowly and carefully
he opened the door and glanced at the BED.
There they lay still as mice, so still that
no held his breath he moved stealtni-
" across the floor. Swiftly he began 10
FIJI the tiny stockings TO overilowing- anu
as he bent down to do so two little white
robed figures suddenly leapt upon MIN
and wound their arms about his neck.
and huggoG and kissed him with shrieks
of delight :,
eve was only pretendin' to be asleep"
they shouted IVES caught you. daddie.
We know who Santa Claus is now. A
Merry Christmas, daddiei A Merry Christ
mas Santa claus.
James Workman, in the Strand Maya
xiEe.