The Charles Mix new era. (Wagner, Charles Mix County, S.D.) 1???-1911, 1909-12-24

him from the
room.
When the child was snugiy tucked
away between the sheets his mother
bent down and kissed him.
Good night. darling" she whisper.
ed, Tomorrow IL Christmas, and
maybe II you are a real good boy
Santa Claus will bring you something.
But good little boys don't tell Abs.
Billy-remember that"
Doris IAthrop sighed. even AZ 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 he face of the earth, she scarce.
iy knew. 1t was just ave years-Hye
years this Christmas eye-since he
had gone away. Billy, she remember.
ed. was but three years old az that
uO WaS cikut
1t was a dark chapter In her young
life. and the memory of II still made
her blood run cold. A man had been
siain-a man named Duke, who had
been her fathers bitter enemy and
prosecutor for years. Circumstantial
evidence pointed to young Jack
Lathrop as the ~perpeuator Of the
deed. n Jack had been foolish
enough to run away like an ordinary
fugitive from Justice. thus ~convictius
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. no, knowing whether her hus.
band was alive or dead. sa
But there had been a SEQUEL 10 the
terrible tragedy. Less than q rear
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 soninlaw.
Jack Lathrop. had been the only wit.
ness to his rash act. and that lack
noble, Quixotic Jack-to save his
wife's father. had deliberately diverted
suspicion to himself by disappearing
from the community.
Christmas dawned on snow-coyered
earth. but II brought no 10
Doris Lathrop's heart. She Sat n the
breakfast table with the other mem.
bers Of the family. silent and distrat,
She did not even notice when Billy
slipped down from the table and soft
ly stole out OF the room.
Where Ia Billy" some n sudden.
ly asked.
His mother started up and threw
startled glance around the room. The
boy had disappeared.
Il heard some one open the front
door a minute ago" said her brother
The little rascal couldn't have zone
outdoors this cold morning.
Doris stepped into the hall Tn.
front door was wide open. She hasten
ed forward to look out. and who
should she see but Billy coming m
the walk. leading by the hand a tall.
trampish- looking stranger with n
bushy gray beard. and dragging be
hind him a magnificent new sled,
Here he Is. mamma" cried Billy
In great glee. This In the messenger
from Santa Claus. See the sled he
brought ne. Now. mamma. | didn't
nh. did ~"
Doris fell back In d!smay. Billy and
his new-found friend came up the
steps and into the house.
Il couldn't help II. ma.am," said the
stranger. apologeticaliy. a. he took or
his disreputable hat. "The child n.
sisted on my coming to the house. and
~ 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 it "a
the floor. Il
Jack" she family articulated. and
fell ~swooning into the strong arms OF
her husband. Il Is
And at that moment the BELLS In the
neigbbcring town broke forth IN I
clarnor Of joyous Christmas greetings,