The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1910-12-18

back and gazed in the direction Of
the ceiling. He wanted TO sleep. He
seemd to be dying for sleep He
would have given anything 90 be
able to sleep, hut the excited, eager
voice of Reuben pattered against
his brain and refused to let him
sleep.
Great big Tissimus tree" said
Reuben.
"Oh, go to sleep, Shut up" growI-
ed Mr.. Wallingford.
Goodnight" said Reuben. He turn
ed and buried his face in his pillow.
He honestly and truly tried to s.eep.
He lay very still and squeezed his
eyes shut, but presently he forgot
that he was going to sleep, and
he popped up and reached out his
hand to feel the wonderful, smooth
face of Santa Claus.
"Ain't got no whiskers," he said
"Papa's got whiskers. Papas got
big, big doggie. I'm got a little, lit
tie doggie.'
Great Scott" exclaimed Mr. Wal
lingforG, wont you go to sleep?'
Good night" cheerfully replied
Reuben and buried his face once
more. In second he was up again.
my hold Santa Claus hand?' he
queried.
Mr. Walingford considered. Doubt
less the little nuisance would never
go to sleep unless he got what he
wanted.
See here" he said, IF let you
hold my hand will you go to sleep?'
MY go to sleep" Reuben assured
him heartily.
Mr.. Wallingford took the small
hand in his and Reuben sighed hap
PLY.
Goodnight" he said.
Goodnight" replied Mr. Waling-
ford.
Reuben lay blissfully content. He
stared into the dark and was happy.
He was also wonderfully awake. AS
gentleman he knew he was not
playing fair, SO he shut his eyes
tight.
Goodnight" he sail.
"Good-night." Mr.. Wallingford re-
pea;ed with resignation. He could
feel Reuben wiggling his toes. He
was. He felt that hope of sleep was
not to be entertained. Reuben moved
uneasily. He turned half over but
retained his hold on Mr.. Walling.
ford S hand.
Goodnight" he said resolutely.
Goodnight" saii Mr. Walling-
ford, sadly. He Thought of many
things. He felt that he had plenty
of time to think of them. He began
with the sins of aiIroads and
thought inconseQuentially, of his life,
past, present, and to come, and then
he suddenly realized that Reuben
was asleep. He tried to withdraw |
his hand but the little fingers tight. |
ened on it convulsively. The pres
sure was soft and YARN, ami Mr.. |
Wallingford was chilly. Reuben .
glowed with heat like a little stove.
The temptation was great and Mr.
Wallingford yielded. He reached out
his free hand and drew Reuben
to him, winding his arm around him
and hugging him close. Reuben was
as good as patent heater and Mr..
Wallingfoni so accepted him, but
Reuben nestled even closer, and put
one arm snugly and lovingly about
Mr.. Wallingfords neck.
Perhaps it was the cold; perhaps
it was a nervous chilli at any rate
a thrill that was unlike anything
Mr.. Wallingford had known for years
trembled through him. 1t began
where a stray curl touched his fore
head and it left a warm path where
it went, and in a mysterious way it
suggested the thought, What if this
was my boy?'
Mr.. Wallingford turned the idea
over in his mind. AS a mere boy +,
there was no question that Reuben
was an annoyance, except as a heat
er.
"This," thought Mr.. Wallingford
'is what | shall have regularly soon"
He tried to imagine just how bad
it would be. If this was his bed,
and ;his was his boy, he would
He raised himself slightly to try
and see Reuben, in order to make
the supposition more real. He caught
the sound of clear, strong breathing
that meant that another whole, com
plete life was beside him. If this