The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1909-12-08

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IL e/W/I boys were in bed"
~ :! <.NEJ she said. and led
him from the
room.
When the child was snugly tucked
away between the sheets his mother
bent down and kissed him.
Goodnight, darling" she whisper
ed. Tomorrow is Christmas. and
maybe II you are q real good boy
Santa Claus will bring you something.
But good little boys don't tell abs,
Billy-remember that"
Doris Lathrpp sighed. even as she
crooned soft lullaby that sent Billy
drifting away into the land Of dreams.
She was not happy. poor thing. and
the universal merry-making Of the
Christmas season only intensified the
deep desolation Of her heart. How
she had lived through the dragging
years that had elapsed since her young
/ husband had left to become wander
| OF on the face Of the earth, she scarce.
" knew. Il was just ave years-nye
years this Christmas eve-since he
had gone away. Billy. she remember
ed, was but three years old Ct that
time-now he was eight.
i It was dark chapter in her young
lie. and the memory Of 1t still made
her blood run cold. A man had been
slain-a man named Duke, who had
been her fathers bitter enemy and
persecutor for years. Circumstantial
/ evidence pointed to young Jack
Lathrop as the perpetrator Of the
deed, and Jack had been foolish
enough to run away like an ordinary
fugitive from Justice, thus convicting
! himself In the eyes Of the world. He
had never been caught, and had never
communicated with his wife, who at
last had gone home to her fathers
house. not knowing whether her hus.
band was alive or dead.
Il But there had been sequel to the
terrible tragedy. Less than year
ago her father had died. On his death.
bed he had confessed that he was the
real slayer of his arch-enemy, Duke;
that In the madness Of evaporation
he had struck the blow that made
him a homicide; that his son-inlaw,
Jack Lathrop, had been the only Wit.
ness to his rash act, and that Jack
noble, quixotic Jack-to save his
wife's father. had deliberately diverted
suspicion to himself by disappearing
from the community!
/ Christmas dawned on snow-covered
earth. but it brought no peace t.
Doris Lathrop's heart. She sat at the
breakfast table with the other mem
bers of the family, silent and distract
She did not even notice when Billy
slipped down from the table and soft
ly stole out Of the room.
where is Billy" some one sudden
ly asked.
His mother started up and threw q
startled glance around the room. The
boy had disappeared.
Il heard some one open the from,
door minute ago." said her brother
The little rascal couldn't have gone
outdoors this cold morning?"
Doris stepped into the hall. TIL.
front door was wide open. She hasten
! ed forward to look out, and VIII
should she see but Billy coming u,
the walk. leading by the hand tall
trampish-looking stranger with
bushy gray beard, and dragging be
hind him magnificent new sled!
"Here he is, mammal" cried Billy
in great glee. "This is the mess'nge,
from Santa Claus. See the sled h,
brought me. Now, mamma. / didn,
6b, did 1?'
Doris fell back in dismay. Billy an,
his new-found friend came up TIL,
steps and into the house.
Il couldn't help 1t. ma'am," said tn,
stranger, alphabetically. as he took OF
his disreputable hat. "The child In
sisted on my coming to the house. an,
Ill just couldn't resist"
Doris gave piercing scream.
Jack! jack" she cried out wildly
Il know that voice-I know tina
voice!"
She snatched the long gray bear,
from the mans face and dashed 1t t,
the floor.
"Jack!" she family articulated, an,
fell swooning into the strong arms o
her husband.
And at that moment the bells in TIN
neighbpring town broke forth in
clamor of joyous Christmas greetings