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


| lingford moved softly. He removed
his coat so silently that it did not
make the slightest sound. He would
not have awakened his hedfellow for
worlds. He turned to hang his coat
on the chair. and as he turned he
! heard the bed creak, and the noise
of turning body. He looked over
his shoulder Reubens face was
turned toward him, but Reuben
eyes were closed so tightly that
they were surrounded by a circle of
tight little wrinkles.
How doo," said Reuben. tremu-
lously.
Mr. Wallingford continued to dis
robe. He set his lips firmly.
How doc, SANITY Claus said
Reuben again. He said it bravely,
but his voice invited an answer.
1t was the voice of one who had
faith in the kindness of Santa
Claus, but who longed for gentle
reply 1t was shivery to lie in bed
with ones eyes shut and hear San
ia Claus shedding garment after
garment and to know that the Won
derful man would soon lie beside one
in bed.
Mr.. Wallingford was in no mood
for conversation with children. He
was too mad to talk, and he was
so cold that he was afraid to speak
for fear his teeth would chatter.
He sat down on the antique chair
and unlaced his shoes hastily.
Reuben waited as long as a man
of his age could be expected to await
an answer.
"Sany Claus" he called gently
Mr.. Wallingford dropped a shoe
on the floor and hastily peeled off
his socks.
SANITY Claus repeated Reuben,
lingering pleadingly on the syllables.
He heard Mr.. Wallingford gingerly
moving about on the cold, cold
floor in his bare feet. I'm got
my eyes shut tight. I'm cant see
you" Reuben assured him. "My won't
peek"
Mr.. Wallingford scurried into the
icily clean nightgown that had been
provided for him. He made a rush
for the lamp and blew out the flame,
and made another dash for the bed,
into which he dashed trembling
with cold. Reuben moved over.
For a minute the boy lay very
still. 1t was chilly where he had
moved The warm spot his body had
made was occupied by Mr.. Walling-
ford. Mr. Wallingford drew his knees
up until they We're in the neighbor-
hod of his chin. The depths of
the bed were unutterably icy.
Sanity Claus" said Reuben.
BE still now and go to sleep"
growled Mr.. Wallingord.
Good night" replied Reubn obe-
diently, but he could not go to sleep.
1t was so strange, so wonderful,
to have Santa Claus in bed with
one. In the absolute dark of the
room it was safe to open ones
eyes. One could not peek in the
dark. Reuben lay still, thinking.
My likes you lie said, quite
suddenly. "My's not fraid of you"
He was trying to make himself
believe he was not He half believed
he was not afraid, but he was not
quite sure. He felt that he ought
to do the right thing by Santa
Claus. Santa Claus was going to do
the right thing Iby him in the morn.
ing.
"My-my's got doggie," he said;
"my's got a catty. You want my's
doggie?" He awaited the answer, but
none came. My hurted me-" he con-
tinued, seeking the most important
facts to offer this strangely taciturn
saint. MY failed downstair, and
hurted my. There he informed him.
holding out little plump hand. 1t
had been weeks since the never-to-
be-forgotten tumble, but it was the
great event of his past, and he
offered it gladly to Santa Claus. His
hand brushed Mr. Wallingfords
face.
"You ain't got no whiskers!" he
announced. Sanity Claus amt got no
whiskers.' 1t puzzled him. He had
counted on the long white beard.
Evidently his parents had been sad
ly misinformed. He ran his soft hand
gently over Mr. Wallingfords face.
mo whiskers!" he repeated won
deringly.
Mr.. Wallingford turned his back
and growled. He moved to the far