The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-04-17
ADELiNE'S GREAT FAITH
6y SUSANNA PALMER.

whether she still believed in Santa
Claus. Adeline had written her usua
letter to Santa and stuffed 1t up the
chimney as usual and it had to be
extracted with the accompaniment Of
much SCOT and emotion by her father,
"Thunderation!' rufIle had said. try.
ing to brush the SCOT from his face
and smearing it on the collar. This
is the end of such foolishness! What
an awful reach that child has! That
letter was almost up on the chimney
coping. She can't believe In such fool.
ishness-"
1.-THE idea!" said Mrs. PUNE, indig.
nantly. Il think 1t is perfectly sweet
that Adeline still believes in Santa
Claus! What is a little SCOT on your
collar compared with nurturing the
Imagination Of your child! You haven't
any heart. Henry Puffle! I'm pos.
itively ashamed of your"
well. it's me the SCOT is on, you'll
notice!" said Puzzle grimly and un.
dramatically. THAT makes some dif.
ference! Oh, well. II the kid still
thinks Santa Claus exists we might as
well let her keep on thinking. She'll
. outgrow il fast enough!
They labeled nccrly all Adeline's
gifts "From Santa Claus and she re.
cciyed them with the same wide eyed
wonder which I'D attended her Christ.
mases from babyhood.
Il got this from Santa" the Puflles
heard her telling the little girl next
door as she exhibited her new doll.
"Thcre!" said Mrs. Puzzle accusing.
". And you would have blighted
tat innocent faith! It is perfectly
beautifully"
It was the same when Adeline was
ten. She babblcd mnrrily about what
she wanted Santa Claus to bring her
Resting her limpid eyes upon her
wondering parent, she would beseech.
ingly ask Pulrle whether he thought
IL she wrote very careful note to !
Santa, he would DO such wonderful
thing as bring her a gold bracelet. III
wrote it vur-ry carefully, daddy?" she
repeated in her birdlike tones. /
And Pufle's heart melting at the
tender trust Of his child. he told AIDE.
line that he thought Santa would be
unable to resist her appeal.
only" PuiIle added. with memories
Of the year previous. 1T is not neces.
sary, dearie, to chuck your letter quite
so high up the chimney!"
why, daddy" Adeline protested In
round eyed amazement. 1T is so much
easier for him to get 1t II It is high up!
He has to reach clear down the chin
ney. you know!"
TO be sure" puffle stammered.
Il don't see." he afterward remark
cd to his wife, why she hasn't dis
covered that Santa Claus 10 . fake.
Some Of the other children must know.
The little imps are only too glad to
give It away when they are disillusion.
ed. They must have told her!" J..
"You don't understand, Adeline!" I;
protested Mrs. Pune. you don't real. 4.
lie at all what sweet, trusting nature
that child has! It would never enter
her head to suspect! I just want to -,
cry when think how terrible she will a..
feel when she does find out hope II :
will be long long time yeti" t,
swell, I don't see how It can be, %
long as she has eyes and ears and
some brains." growled PUNE. ,
Puzzle was smitten dumb with ,
when at II Adeline, a. .
holiday time approached. began to /,
chirp in her sweet, childish way what ,
Santa was going to bring her.
HE brought my bracelet last year."
she said to her parents. Don't you !
think he'll bring mo q little silver
watch this time? He would II he &
knew how I wanted It. Santa has new. I
er disappointed me. never!" Il
Henry" said Mrs. Pufne . little 4
ater. wiping her eyes. I'VE must get {
Adellne that watch! I wouldn't dio. I
lppoint her faith for worlds!" G
shes too young for . watch" %. q
ecter Puffle feebly.
But think Of her trusti" ~
'roached Mrs. Puffle. IT 10 beauti.
ul!"
Il was the day after Christmas that
he Puffles. having raised . window !
D cool OF the house. heard outdoors. )
nst beneath the window. . converse
ion between adeline and the little :
irl next door.
do you believe in Santa CLAUSE"
sked the little girl.
Adeline laughed . superior and
unused laugh. Santa Claus!" she re.
eated. Goodness me. no! knew
,ere wasn't any such thing when I
as seven, but I've had to keep It up
IS not to disapp0int dad and moth.
;. They have such a good time think
& believe in Santa Claus. And.
y"-Adeline's voice became trium-
lant-'do you know something? I
t twice as many presents-they
i've to give me some from Santa
aus besides those they give ne