The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-26
THE EVENING STORY
Lady Santa Claus.
(By Ethel Barrington.)

/ at the voice, ana MS heart Ieaped at
the picture before him. Descending
the wide stairs, one hand slipping
over the carved banisters. her lace
skirts trailing behind, came Sylvia
Heather, her eyes luminous and soft
as the pearls encircling her throat,
her dark hair coiled high like a
coronet.
"I called to thank your uncle for
| his annual gift to my people," he ex-
planned, after an almost imperceptible
pause.
Come into the drawing room for
chat. it's weeks since I've seen you.''
You are kind, but I'm really in
hurry" he returned, adding by way
of softening his refusal. "You are
well, I hope; but your looks prove it.
Accept my sincere wishes for a happy
| Christmas"
''ThanksI" The girl paused on the
| last stair, that her eyes were
level with his, their softness having
yielded to the superficial smile of
! society. TITS charming to find you
occasionally spare a thought from
rich!' 40 '-'0 'eO'0
Rhodes drew back at the sarcasm
''Those who have felt the sting of
povelty might well afford to withhold
scof1ng;" he said so sternly that
Sylvia was tempted to retort flip
PANTY but second glance at the
tired face of her visitor silenced her
Noting her forbearance Rhodes.
with quick contrition, dropped his
hand over her jewelled fingers.
knowledged. 1--WE seem to meet only
to quarrel now, and yet we were
''It seems-ages,' sighed Sylvia
comfortably seating herself on the
stair. as was her habit in the days of
which they spoke. 1.-The miles we
so that we might, without in
terruption. plan the future
She laughed softly at the recollec-
ton. do you remember, Mort, how
I resolved on the college settlement in
order to share your work? Dear. dear.
how differently things come about.
Who would have dreamed of Uncle
turning the insignificant little grub I
was, into a fashionable butterfly.
Well, you, at least, have lived up to
your ideal, and are expeditiously kill
ing yourself in the slums."
mot quite" he smiled down at her,
we have had SO much sickness, owing
to the severity of the winter, that
We've been hard put to it, to care for
all. 1t will be easier later on"
It's to be hoped so. Will You have
your usual carol festival on Christmas
ever"
It's going to be better than ever" he
told her enthusiastically. How they
would enjoy hearing you. Could you,
would you sing for us?" he pleaded
eagerly, oblivious to the widening gulf
of circumstances that separated them.
For the moment she was no longer
the f1attered and courted heiress of
great fortune, but his comrade to
whom he turned confidently. sure of an
answering sympathy. The girl hest
tated before the subtle sweetness of his
reliance on her, then she drew back re-
luctantly.
''It's good of you to ask me, unfortu
nateIy I have another engagement.
Don't go" as he began buttoning his
coat.
IT fear I shall be late for the hos
pital" he returned, with restraint. 1t
hurt deeply that the slight service he
had impulsively besought should be so
coolly denied.
zone of our mission children was run
over by a heavy dray, and l promised
to look in again this evening" ne con-
tinued.
grieyed that the accident happened just |
now. than at the threatened lameness
itself" The kindly smile accompanying
the words drew Sylvia to MS sloe'
Tell me why?"
HChristmas means so much lately to
the children in our neighborhood, on
account of the wonderful klndneSs OF
some stranger" he explained. Each
wear her appearance is heralded by
sleigh bells after the custom of the OLD
saint. and like him she seatters toys
and gifts wherever she goes. Sal, II SIS ,.9s
of understanding and sympathy that
touch the peoples heart. The young.
sters call her the Lady Santa Claus.
''How quaint, and you, OF course ap-
prove of herr?
.SWho witnessing the happiness she
creates. could do less? I've never seen
her. I would I might. so that l couIn
tell her of her young friend, IN the NUS
pital Well, goodby." e.-.,-,to,
'Mortirner is an enthusiast sylvia
uncle confided to her as they drove 70
the opera. He needs WE 70 nn
him take care of himself. Someno"'
used to fancy that you and he ii
1tNortfrner thoroughly disapproves OF
me-" his niece FASTENED to INFORM hlrn'
MAKE AXE your check a cypher heavier:
next time. and he'll overlook the SIN OF
pi .sN9w. Uncle" expostu1ated Sylvia, 'he
wants nothing for himself, ,,,
q 1g uuf' Wv Young man and I respect him,
Whereupon Sylvia affectionately prusneeu
an rb bnyaS1nis eve brought old-fashloned
weather in it's train; snow. raIling f fst
The wind whistIed for all the world Ike
a rnischievous imp. as pedestrians leo
oG IN the tenement districts the bitter cold
entailed added misery. Never nad un aexe
pected loads of coal or fneI oeen and
as if by Inspiration. to those most needy:
sure it'll be the shildre11s 5ie aS Conan maG
pointing. with tears Of gratitude de- on her
wan cheeks. to Drumming pa s5s;,es ran-
f,Irousiy at some toys heaped beside his
cot and it was of this vision that Rhodes
vas thin1Singr as he hasrened home after
the carols. A..
lxnowIedge displayed by the mysterious
airloner of his field of labor-extraoT-
his desires and seconded his EFFORTS.
Turning into street scarcely wider than
an alley. Rhodes caught the Jingle OF
bells. Nearer and closer approached the
merry chime, a rare. joyous sound In that
He stepped hastily to one side as