Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1907-04-18

gave me a promise that he'd live a
honest life"
"And broke it,"
"And kept it, sir, as true as true can
be! Yes, though he was that hard up
sometimes that he had nothink but
bread to eat, he kept his promise, and
from that day to this hasn't done no
think wrong"
HIake-Believ Make-Believew
''It's gospel truth, sir A man ash
do that only wants a chance of doing
better. Yer'll give yer son that chance,
won't yer, sir?"
"As sure as you're the best woman
that treads the earth, Make Believe,
I'll give it him if he'll take it."
"Never mind about me. VIII yer be.
lieve me when tell yer yer can give
him the chance this very night-this
night of death and joy"
"I'll believe anything you tell me,
Make-Believe."
"And yer won't be angry at some
think I've already done?"
II can't be angry at anything you've
DONE"
"Why, see, sir, how it's all turned
out! 1 believe there's been angels
watching over us. Not ten minutes
afore you come home 1 saw man
leaning against the wall on the other
side of the way, looking up at the win
dows in this room. l looked hard at
him, and who should find it was but
Foxy"
"My son! Where is he?"
II couldn't help misunderstanding
rs he'd give me promise to be hon
est and'd die rather than break it
that he was wandering about this
Christmas night cause he hadn't got
roof to shelter him. A bitter night
outside, sir!"
"a terrible night! Go on"
II went down to the street door,
being full Of pity for him, and know
ing as he was the sort of man no girl
as knew him as 1 knew him need be
afraid of, I called out to him."
ke-Believe"
"He came over to me, and I found
out that I was right. He hadn't a
roof of his own, he hadn't bed of his
own, his Christmas dinner was bit
of bread and cheese. Think of the
dinner we had, Mr.. Dexter! He hadn't
penny in his pocket. And all, sir,
because he'd kept the promise he give
me to lead a honest life. brought
him into the house, sir!'
'Is he here now, Make Believer"
cried Thomas Dexter. Tell me,
quick"
"Wait minute, sir. We had some
talk together, him and me, and he told
me how hard 1t was for him to get
along in this country, and how if some
kind friend d only come forard and
help him to emigrate to the colonies
he'd make good name for hisself
in less than three years. 1t was his
only chance, he said. Then you come
in, sir, and interrupted us while we
was talking. Don't turn yer head!
Shut yer eyes to please meas I shut
mine to please you"
She placed her hand over his eyes,
and beckoned to Foxey. He rose and
came forward, with the tears stream
ing down his cheeks.
Then Little Make Believe took her
hand away, and father and son were
face to face!
She did not give them time to utter
a word in her presence.
"I'm very tired, sir; must so to
bed"
"Good-night, dear child"
Goodnight, sir. Good night, Fox
ey."
Goodnight, Make-Believe."
He stepped to the door and opened
1t for her.
"I'll keep my promise, MakeBe-
lieve."
She held out her hand, and he
clasped it passionately for moment
and kissed it. Then she gave him a
bright smile, and left father and son
together.
Half an hour afterward Saranne,
waking up, saw Little Make Believe
kneeling by the bedside.
"Why, Make-Believe, haven't you
come to bed yet?"
"No, dear; there was sech a. lot of
clearing away to do. But 1 am tired
nowr'
"Are you very, very happy, Make.
Believer
Eyes, Saranne, amt got good cause
to be? Go to sleep, dear, and dream
Of Walter"
THE END.