Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-07-19

twelve. Ever since their mothers DEATH
three years before the beginning of our
story, they had been under the constant
care of their nurse, Eliza, who really count
ed as one of the family. There were very
few children at Biinker so Dorothy and
Jack grew up together in much closer COM
partnership than is usual between brother
and sister. On the evening on which our
story opens, which, by the way, was the
very day before Christmas they were both
lying on the big buffalo robe in front of
the bright cracking fire of logs in the old
fashioned fireplace, with copy of Mr..
Ihlmbiehnger and His Queer Country" be-
tween them. Jack had been reading aloud
to Dorothy, who sat with bated breath and
anxious expression, listening to the wonder
fui adventures Of Sweetest Susan and the
other little people of the book At last,
when 1t grew too dark to see plainly, Jack
closed the book and looked at Dorothy. Il
think Sweetest Susan was a very nice girl. -
said Dorothy. after some little silence, and
Mr.. Thimbletinger himself"
"Pshaw." said Jack, you don't believe
about him, do you, Dorothy"
Why, Of course l do; it's in the book,
isn't it?'
Jack smiled In a very superior manner
and rolled over lazily on his side 1t was
rapidly growing darker and the children
couid near the snow beating against the
windows and the wind beginning to howl, as
howl 1t only can in Montana
DO you want a light children?' and
Nurse Eliza opened the door for moment.
oh. no. nurse" answered Dorothy; we re
talking. you know"
wen, Wei. dearies. be careful of the
nre, and the door softly closed, leaving
them alone.
Mr.. Thimblefinger," said Dorothy, creep
ing closer to Jack. lis such"
hro LOB ne! mere Dorothy" interrupted her
proLner' III you're going to believe such
stuff as that and get frightened-"
Hem! hem!'
What's that you say?" asked Jack.
tn,. o ..ah say ANYTHING - answered Doro-
tiny; why, what's the matter.'
JACK looked around very cautiously
Didnt you really speak tDor5thy?"
" mo; really n.y. / /, didn't, Jack; why?"
This time they both heard 1t, and Jack
sprang up from the robe?.sF as that you
voice. - ~ ~
No answer u fSs
Jack! Jack! I'm ahatd," suddenly
quavered Dorothy. running til his side
Nonsense" answered herbro4her, bravely
MI. MI. ihimDiefnger," murmured Dorothy.
WHO'S he?" suddenly pfped up a small
voice Inn Immediately in front 81 them.
AT this both children moved rapidly to-
ward the door, Jack with bisharm around
Dorothy, protectingly. hAot
Dear, dear, they're afraid. How funny"
ana this time the voice seemed to come
ii IN ehe fireplace. "Donterun, children"
ihey both stopped, and then Jack, re-
mempering that it was humanity to run
away from unseen things, managed to
gasp. who are you?'
Tome and see,' replied the voice.
Where-where are your
In the fire. answered the voice.
Dorothy looked up at Jack and muir
INJURED. Mr.. Thimblefnger
NOT much" said the voice. Come and
see, and then suddenly 1t (for SO far 1t
sing:
Count on your fingers. one two three:
Look In the fire and you shall see"
Let's do It," said Jack
I'm afraid" whispered Dorothy.
on, come on" urged Jack, who seemed
TO nave suddenly grown holder Come
on. sister, let's do it,
Holding Dorothy firmly by the hand, both
children cautiously approached the fire and
peered earnestly into it,