The Delta independent., 1909-12-24


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 a real good boy
Santa Claus will bring you something.
But good little boys don't tell fibs,
Billy-remember tn. ="
Doris Lathrop sighed, even as she
crooned a 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 a wander
er on the face of the earth, she scarce
ly knew. 1t was just five years-five
years this Christmas eve--since he
mad gone away. Billy, she remember
ed, was but three years old at that
time-now he was eight.
1t was dark chapter in her young
life, and the memory Of it still made
ner blood run cold. A man had been
slain-a man named Duke, who had
been her fathers bitter enemy and
prosecutor 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
frov f,tCt
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.
But there had been a sequel to the
terrible tragedy. Less than a 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 homicide; that his son-in-law,
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 to
Doris Lathrop's heart She sat at the
breakfast table with the other mem.
bers of the family, silent and distrait
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 a
startled glance around the room. The
boy had disappeared.
Il heard some one open the front
door minute ago." said her brother.
THE little rascal couldn't have gone
outdoors this cold morning?"
Doris stepped into the hall. The
front door was wide open. She hasten
ed forward to look out, and who
should she see but Billy coming up
the walk. leading by the hand a tall.
trampish-looking stranger with
bushy gray beard. and dragging be-
hind him a magnificent new sled,
Here he is. mammal" cried Billy,
in great glee. This is the mess niger
from Santa Claus. See the sled he
brought me. Now. mamma, didn't
fib. did II"
Doris fell back in dismay. Billy and
his new-found friend came I'D the
steps and into the house.
Il couldn't help 1t, ma am" said the
stranger. apologetically. as he took of
his disreputable hat. THE child in
sisted on my coming to the house, and
Ill just couldn't resist"
Doris gave a piercing scream.
Jack! jack" she cried out wildly.
Il know that voice. know that
voice!"
She snatched the long gray beard
from the mans face and dashed II to
the floor.
Jack" she family crticulated, and
fell swooning into the strong arms of
her husband.
And at that moment the bells In the
neighboring town broke forth in a
clamor of joyous Christmas greetings