The Washington herald., 1913-12-24
HIS CHRISTMAS CREED.
By A. MARIA CRAWFORD.
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fne happy spirit of Christmas was in
the air. 1t laughed ont Of the eyes OF
the young and the old, the expectant
and the world weary. Humanity's great
dream OF brotherhood is almost reality
on Christmas eve.
Lamar Heiskell made his way slowly
through the crowds on the avenue. The
gayiy lighted shop windows. the cries of
street vendors, the sight OF happy faces
smiling over armfuls Of mysterious pack
| ages and the shrill OF laughter OF eager
little children made his own heart beat
fast with the memories Of other years
memories that had cut fine lines in his
handsome face and made him look older
than q man well under forty. He had
personally superintended the loading of
his three big machines with food and
gifts for the children Of the men who
worked for him. and for other little folks
suggested to him by his old valet, who
knew his masters love and tenderness
for the city's waits at Christmas time.
As he moved along. he kept watching for
the needy ones who gazed through the
windows at the apparently impossible
treasures there. Now and then he
stopped to make Santa Claus real to
some wondering child
MERRY Christmas, LamarI"
He turned quickly and found himself
looking down into the smiling. blue
eyes OF Kate Branner.
What are you doing here, girl, in all
this crowd. alone7 Let me help you get
those bundles to your machiner'
IT came down in my electric and
brought James with me to help with
bundles, but / sent him home just now
with the machine SO full that when he
opens the door to get out things will
tumble all around"
Then let me call a taxi and get you
home"
mot yet, thank you. I have more
shopping to do-tinsel for Bflly's tree
and popcorn and an angel to ornament
the top. Brothers wife Is i'll, so / am
playing Mrs. Santa Claus to my small
nephew"
Let me trim the tree?" begged Heis-
kell, almost boyishly eager. ITS been
years since had the fun Of thing like
that"
Come home to dinner with me then
and help" urged Kate 1T would be
real charity"
1T is charity to give an old bachelor
a glimpse of home life on Christmas /
Eve" returned the man whose millions |
had somehow failed to bring him happi- |
ness.
Billy Junior went up the stairs to bed |
slowly, stopping to look back over the |
balustrade at his pretty Aunt Kate in |
her soft gray gown and the tall gentle |
man who had watched her so intently |
through the dinner hour.
Are you sure Santa Claus won't come /
until ! go TO sleep?" he demanded for l
The tenth time.
Perfectly sure" said his Aunt Kate. /
Say. Mr.. Lamar. IL you had little
boy like me. would you give him
Christmas tree as big as the one daddy
bought for me?"
The mans voice was1very quiet as
le answered. Indeed I would. Billy"
rhe vision of how his own library would
ook Uttered with engines, toy soldiers.
md picture books passed like a dream
,efore his eyes. The child's face, crown
d with soft, brown. curls, appeared
through a mist as he looked up at him.
But 1 haven't any little boy, Billy"
Get you one" advised the young
ter, playing for time. ''You can get
EN- easy as anything. Jim Tyler has
wo brothers he don't want" l.
When at last the little velvet-clad fig
ire had disappeared, Heiskell and Kate
ell to work on the tree in the library.
he girl made a pretty picture as she
moved about. handing things to him
There he stood balanced on a stepladdeT.
'iny red candles cleaned in the green
ranches. strings of popcorn and gold
nd silver tinsel hung In gay festoons.
nd. high over all. an angel with wide
pread wings poised as II in blessing.
With tilted head, Kate surveyed the work !
{ their hands.
BILLY will believe the spiders have !
cen here" she said, touching the silver
nsel that glimmered like starlight
gainst the dark cedar. IL
Spiders? Why, he will think spiders {
ave been here unless he can look into
~ heart and see the web You are weav- I
lg about it all the time
She ignored his gallantry. Don't you c