The gazette-news., 1902-12-20

Christmas gifts. Such 4 Christina:
tree YOU never saw, There We're littl,
things in silver-spOOns, forks. aftel
dinner cOffees and knives. and ther,
was 4 rocking chair. also several littl,
, fOojstoOls and little articles Of bric-a
brac. all newly covered with cheaI
chintz. And there were toys. oh. :,
many toys. And upon the table ut the
side Of the tree stood the best of wines
and Christmas fruits.
How sweet of you. Will"' Winters
pretty wife said as she threw her arms
around his neck and kissed him. How
/ did YOU ever guess that | wanted all
) those silver things for the table,"
And did any one ever STE such 4
! n-law:" cried the old lady rs her
/ eyes fen upon the table with the wine
and fruits.
Il have got the coolest papa in the
world" yelled the six year old, while
the others chimtd in "Yeth" as they
made dive Tor the toys.
Il could sit in this rocking chair for
week." uurmurrd Winters wife.
ruc,iu. herself back and forth with
hvr f.ot "n the gayly covered foOtstoOl,
III il Wasn't that felt as if | wanted
tn set up and kiss you again. she
said Ia Winter for the twentieth time
49, she looked around.
Now - To- led all of YOU" cried
Winter. "aHd something extra for the
one who starts first. Don't let me
hear a word from You again until to-
morrow morning al breakfast. and
tls.u we'll have christmas all day"
lie hG>tlcd them out of the room. and
when | tapped "n the door there was
no one left downstairs to open it but
he.
Well what are you going to do
about IT." l asked. stepping into the
,cum and painting to all tile Christmas
things.
Il don't know" said he. dropping
down 10y the table and hiding his face
in his hands. Il don't know. am sure.
Ii VIII Kill her if you tell her
What made You take them:'
asked
Because he's got 50 much he doesn't
know what To do with it," said Winter.
$50 took them all easy like ana
thought il would blow over in few
days. You see We have 50 many ba-
bieS i'm our family" hc added. that
there wasn't much left this year for
Christmas. and the children have been
talking about it every day for the last
three months. II broke my heart To
think ia have 10 diSappoint them. so
did the ho.>t 1 could for them"
'Nuu watched the house all night for
the colonel did you:"
Yes. except for about an hour: long
enough To slip over here with an arm
ful"
We'll what are you going to do
about it,"
"Gud knows: | don't" he repeated.
1T viii Xiii her if YOU tell her"
~" you want me to arrest YOU TO-
night. or will you wait until morning."
"ChriStmas day" he exclaimed.
breaking down and beginning to cry
like a baby. Il know I'm a wretch. /
only Kill me-do anything; but don't .
tell her"
Ii might lave been that the spirit Of .
/, 'hriStiua> MAS iu tine air Perhaps
.he thought OF those >iN little children
AMI that sweet faced wife had
stronger influence than they should
have had over Il detectives heart But
said t. lnm. We'll. bundle up the
hiu=s and come along with me. and
vel see what ", eau do about it,"
We looked like two Santa Clauses
as we slipped along the
streets. choosing bylIncs and cross
jIths 10 the Payne residence.
We got into the triangular lawn 10y
ear path and stole softly up To the
luu>c. There was the dining room
lighted and ia the middle
to"d a tree all bare and waiting for
iftS, just as | told the colonel 10 ar
au-c ii.
There WAS no one in the room. and
ftcr I had iricd u, the sash We stole
q together There was only just time
D drop uur packages on the floor at the
cot OF the tree and To rush away again
cforc the c"i"nrls daughter came in.
"uh. papa" she cried, here are
ONE Presents for us"
EUt | heard no more just then. for
as busy hvlpiu" poor Winter get
way. Au hour later rang the
plouvIs front door bell. He opened
Ic door himself
Come ri-ht in." said he. I guess
ou ale a wizard tonight. lust after
a. cot III" Christmas tree set up and
lille we were Upstairs getting our
-cs"ut> together Ia hang Oh the tree
lc Thief came back aud left the Christ
uS presents"
Everything there" | asked.
"EN,rythiu-." said be. down to the
II TEASPOON. We have counted them :
l. Poor fellow. he must have had a
Ilty conscience. and when it came
lri>tuas eve he squared il with him
II 10y sending lack all lac had stolen.
Strange. said l.
Very strange" said the colonel. I'd
he. f hu-w who the thief was, 10 I
id him something for 4 Christmas
'c>cit. just as 4 reward for his con
fence. As it is ask you. detective,
ii 10 look him UP. He has evidently
rucd over u new leaf this Christmas
e"
BE- 'ENidCLtly." said l.
Nov. detective" said the colonel. 81 ! W