New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-20

The little sitting looked dreary enough a
she stirred the dying fire. that the shivering boy
flame, He stretched out his numb fingers. all but
5oqehirg the bars and THRUST his feet among the
board. revealing a shelf wen stocked with food.
"A welcome sight of mince pies. cold plum pud
ding and beefsteak rolls made Robin forget his
The woman talked as she set the meal before him.
You will have to sleep with my young nephew"
cause he's in disgrace Joey has been foisted upon
since his mother died. three months back
now it means I've got to keep the bratl He
red and i e8 h@ 10 So bed So
su .ETerron tnr.snsa him On Christina, Evsr.
Bis cruel hands; you let him go hungry in holi-
There was note of incredulty in the visitors
tone which appeared to amuse Mrs, Holloway. -.
declared in her hard. raspinE 'oicc. Now, my
keep all them sort of things and would cocker the
child up by giving him presents and telling him
1 made up my mind he should have none Of it this
hat aid hs o? asked ask Robin his interest now
thoroughly aroused , ~
Belloway. shaking her head. He thought he
would like TO sit on the water butt outside which
and wetted ali his clothes
Robin quite appreciated the fascination OF the
frozen water butt, and his heart warmed with SYM
pathy toward the luckless Joey. ,.,
continued Mrs Beoway g3atingly and 1, savage s,
She pointed as she spoke to a birch rod hanging
by the fireplace. and smile parted her thlck'
coarse lips.
81 believe IN the good old fashioned birch" she
said. That's the thing to If you want to drive
the devil 1t did good work this evening and
H sFy H Ted w FRFsei done WITH WITH HIM
She chuckled to herself at the recollection ana
her boodthirsty "reminiscences made Robin feel
rather queer.
Il think il you don't mind would IKE 10 go 10
bed he murmured.
Mrs. Belloway rose, and opening another cup
| board, brought out q nightshirt belonging to her
nephew AS her back was turned Robin slipped
| two nince pies and meat roll into his pocket.
This may be bit small" she declared, FOR
| Joey must be younger than you, and he's a puny
| creature, with flesh on his bones to boast of!
! do and followed his hostess up narrow, ladder
like staircase to attic in the roof OF the cottage
IF JOsey speaks to you. just give him good cuff
wav's last words of Injunction as she put the gut
! tering taIlow candle into Robins hand The bed
| is big enough for two"
| He tried TO thank her, but the words stuck In his
| throat. He felt he hated Mrs. Belloway at that
| moment. 80
| She stumped down stairs again with unfairylike
| tread, still muttering complaints of Joey. Then
| a strong draft from the ill-ittnG window all but
! eXtinguished his light and for a few seconds he
| could see nothing.
| When the agitated flame regained it's normal
tranquility the forlorR attic, with its rude furni-
! ture, broke upon his gaze. 49,
! Seated upright in the bed staring at Robin with
wondering eyes, was such little picture OF human
! misery that surely the angels must have wepti
! White cheeks aged through suffering, thin
emaciated frame, giving evidence of Mrs Belo-
| ways i'll treatment and tear stained lashes
| A weak. tremulous voice, shaking with excite
ment greeted Robin In a whisper.
| us it Santa Claus? Oh! is 1t Santa Claus2'
AS the young stranger advanced. and showed