The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-01-03
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, the foot of the tree was to be her fath- CTS biz polar bear skin, which, supple mented by other things, was to be the snow on which, with big sled loaded with packages, Santa Claus was to stand. Bard was to be Santa Claus. Dotty would have tt 90. Mrs. Dorr, tenacious of the obligations and perquisites of rank and mirdtul of tradition, objected-so did the other ladies , but their husbands. uncertain where this empty honor might fall. agreed with Dotty. Mrs. Beebe. dean of the feminine community, settled 1t:
 "of course. It's against all precedent" she said, hut Dotty must have her way. She has put more snap into this affair than I ever knew of any one doing be- fore.' Dotty ransacked the meagre closets of Stannard for Santa Claus costumes; she begged from Lieutenant Percy his white goat rug, the only floor covering he had.
 and this. cut up. made wig and long whls-
 kers. When Bard was dressed for re- hearsal Dotty was delighted-the crown ing thing was a success.
 The ladies and their helpers had fin- ished decorating the room and Dotty~had touched and counted the packages to be sure that no one had been sighted. The tree was ready; nothing more to be done but have Santa Claus take his place and light the candles No one was to be ad- mitted until 6 on Christmas night. Tho key had been turned in the door and left with Sergeant Daly. It was Christmas Eve. Her father and
 mother had gone to dinner at Captain Mays. The Chinaman had taken the re-
 mains of Dotty's supper from the table:
 Mrs. Daly was putting her little brother to bed.
 Dotty was tired. She sat musing. Co., ing over all the details of the Christmas tree. she counted over again in her mind the gifts, and then who were to receive them, and speculated as to the appropri- ateness of certain ones for certain men. for she not only knew every man. woman
 and child in the post, but their needs and
 fancies She wondered where Bard was, and remembered what in the excitement
 of the day she had before merely noticed, that she had not seen him since yester- day. On the whole. she was satisfied with the prospect for tomorrow. Sleep was set
 ting on her when Mrs. Daily caMe
 through the dining room and suggested
 bed. Just then she heard the sergeant's
 voice in the kitchen. and went out to tell
 him to be sure and not let any one into
 the hall until she came to the door and
 told him that everything was ready.
 "The Colonel amt goin' to Captain
 May's' he said. Got bad news and sent links with a note."
 'Ain't that too bad!" said Dotty. 'I
 wonder what 1t can be"'
 "Bards got it this Ume." Daily contin-
 ued: been drunk again and raisin the
 devil at Farrell's. Colonel gave him four
 days in the guard house." Dotty's face
 paled. her eyes opened wide. 'Bard! He's
 Santa Claus"
 Well, ain't that unfort'nit," said Mrs.
 Daly. You can't put no trust in Bard"
 Too bad. too bad said Daly. Good
 man if 'twarn't for the drink"
 Dotty did not cry. She looked at the
 clock on the mantel. To her came an in- spiration; over her agonized face stole the
 shadow Of stern purpose. She went up
 stairs. She fixed her hair and put her
 best shoes on. Her nervous fingers tied
 her broadest saeh in a big bow behind her