The Washington times., 1905-12-24
&8N

George opened the door and enter
ed the room. He could not see his
enemy; visitor was bending over
him Between that criminal and
death fate had placed child.
Why have they brought you here.
Dad? Promise you viii get well and,
come away" She turned her head.
and the heart in Captain Georges
misshapen body stood still for he
saw the sweet, pure. English profile.
so like her mothers.
Unto US child is born" Very
softly and solemnly the chanting
reached his ears.
Are you listening 10 me, Dad?-
Yes, Alice"
Then she put her arms around the
thief; she crooned over him with a
little sob in her voice, 2 sob that was
generation old to Captain George.
he had heard it in his wifes fare
well the day he sailed to India.
Il love you, Dad"
A great envy filed the professional
potato peeler's heart.
XIII him," screamed the Prison
Spirit, scrambling up from the filthy
cellar. Kill him. This is the mo-
ment l have promised you all these
years; see how ne has robbed you,"
His hand slipped into his pocket;
there was his good friend, the knife.
What shall l do without you.
Dad? Who will care for me?" The
girl was crying softly.
And at that moment the Christ
mas Angel came and stood beside
the professional potato peeler.
He realized that he, her own faith
er, could do nothing; but that his
enemy lying there was able to save
and protect her And whatever ne
might have been, the thief must have
been kind 10 her, because she loved
this man whom she called father.
Evidently she did not know his life.
But there was a term OF imprison-
ment staring him in the face.
What would become Of her?
The professional potato peeler saw
the procession of fallen women who
daily cross the Bridge of Sighs.'
Before him was that stream OF jeer-
ing. disappearing outcasts. Every one
on them had been young and inno-
cent like her. Suppose his Alice
And he was powerless TO prevent il
She must be taken care OF. George
became possessed with but one idea
her safety. Eer future He would
spare his enemy for her sake.
Into the professional potato peel
er's eyes there came light, the re-
fiection of the day divine; then into
them also came something that had
not glistened there for years. And
then the Prison. Spirit vanished, and
the angel smiled
The Christmas Angel touched
lovingly the professional potato
peeler's damp forehead, and he re-
membered the suit of clothes that
Citizen" Towne wore twice a year.
He remembered the day, the singers.
the opportunity 1t was then that he
realized that there was a chance that
his enemy might be able to slip out
unnoticed with those who had coms
10 worship with us that day.
The girl babbled on to her faith
err" The professional potato peeler
brought the clothes.
The daughter saw the hideous III
truder and shrank away in horror.
He saw ii and his heart was brok-
en-.
The thief recognized him. "Georgs,
is 1t you?"
The professional potato peeler
made no reply; the Rajah's pleas
antry of years ago prevented it.
The thief saw the knife; he knew
what it meant and groaned. George
shook his head and hid his friend
in his pocket. George pointed to the
girl and looked at the thief and
showed him the clothes.
The heart can speak. They under
stood one another.
Il will be honest after this l viii
always take good care Of her"
George pointed up.
Il swear it," gasped his enemy.
In wonderment the girl helped tn
dress her father" realizing only
that they had found a friend. Thiu
done, she offered her hand to the
professional potato peeler. He held
IT very gently for an instant, and a
moment later mingled among ths
company Of singers; the escape was
mad.
Who was ii, Dad?" she whispered.
as they sped away 10 safety, looking
down at the little bronze decoration
in her slender palm.
The former thief did not answer.
"Shall We ever have to see him