The Ordway new era., 1913-12-19

| mas eve. They'll be glad of a little
peace and good will on their own ac-
count. I'll put 1t strong. Say two
hundred apiece" He reached back
to his hip pocket. where his joy-dis-
penser. still obese, unimpaired by the
stray leaves which had fiuttered from
it that evening. should have reposed.
You know what had become Of it. NC
Adam. happily for him. did not. He
padded around in the snow in search
Of it. then gave it up and collected
from his various pockets his total
cash resources. They came to two dol
lars and fifty-five cents Would the
constables accept his promise to
pay? He was inclined to think not.
He uttered a sigh of despair, for
without that friendly bulge in his hip
pocket he felt forsaken indeed, when
his eye chanced on a lighted window
across the street -. Schoenhoeven,"
was printed on 1t, wigs and cos
tunes" And then his eye lighted
with hope. Saved" he murmured.
Snatching his chance when fire en-
gine went tearing down the avenue
on it's way, no doubt, to some prema-
ture Santa Claus afire In q Christmas
tree-he dashed across the street. up
the stairs. into the shop.
I'm going to party tonight" he
said to the young man In charge. II
want to wear something neat and
handsome that-thatll keep my
| friends from knowing me-"
Ordinarily. McAdam had only to
| appear to command respect. but fall
ing over an ash barrel, staving In his
hat, and lying for half an hour in the
street had made him a good deal less
impressive. At least 1t did not over
power the clerk.
About what price?" he asked.
coldly.
Jabez looked a bit sick at that.
Something about two-fifty." he said.
With a naughty wave Of the hand.
the young man pointed to dingy
heap upon the counter. the last Of its
race. That's all we have at two
fifty" he said. and turned away with
his nose in the air. leaving poor Jabez
to paw over the disreputable. worn
and dirty garments and wigs which
looked as II they had done duty at
scores Of masquerade balls in the
cheapest quarters of the city.
Reverend Arthur and Delaney
reached the Aliens house at exactly
eight o'clock. simultaneously with six
little girls from across the street. In
the hall they encountered Ursula. She
bundled the little girls on upstairs.
"And I must be on, too" she said.
Were Just this minute up from din
ner. We were dreadfully late getting
home. and have to dress. l wish
had time to hear how you two got
out of Jail"
I'VE didn't find 1t necessary to ac-
company the officers to the station
began Reverend Arthur. coolly.
we"
I'll hear all about 1t later" she in
terrupted. "Now run along and help
Mr. Jones with the Christmas tree In
rthe music room: you know"
fsf IAN. MI Jones IL here" said De-
lancey. HAS Mr.. MO-"
"Mr. Jones dined here" said Ursula.
turning toward the stairway. You
must help him get through with the
tree. because he has to dress. He is
going to be my Santa Claus. you
know"
My Santa Claus! II they had known
she regarded It In just that light they
would have fought for the part them
selves. Well. 1t was too late now.
So they went to the music room to
the menial occupation OF helping
Jones'" But Jones said they could do
nothing for him: indeed his express
sion Of fact was 80 vivacious when
they all but set fire to the tree with
cigarette that they retired in good or
der to the great hall. where they
gloomily discussed Jones and the good
luck that seemed to attend him. He
certainly had scored on them more
than once already in the course OF this
eventful evening and their love for
him was not increasing with notice
able rapidity.
"Think of him dining here In his
morning coat" observed Delaney.
"He makes himself useful" said Rev
erend Arthur. So they stood where
they commanded view OF the great
front door, lazily looked over the new
arrivals and waited for Ursule's re-
appearance on the scene to make 1t
worth while taking part.
Jeames stood by the big door grand
ly admitting the guests. The bell rang
downstairs where he could not hear
1t, but football on the porch or the
crunching of carriage in the drive
told him when anyone was coming.
So he was good deal surprised not
to say startled, at hearing without any
preliminary sound whatever. a faint
rat-tat on the door.
He opened 1t a little way and was
still more surprised at seeing no one
there. Then, as he was about to close
It again. he was electrified by a
hoarse whisper:
open, the door Let me In"
Opening wider, he made out dark