Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1913-12-19

-aw.awful c-cold to be out in your
nightie!"
Schuyler snorted scornfully.
Haven't you got enough on under
meath it," he demanded angrily, and
Seraphina was silenced.
"C-o-old!" echoed little Thad, and
then, evidently thinking the sooner ne
caroled the sooner he would be back
in the house, he began In his piping
voice:
"Hark, er heral dangel-"
Schuyler thrust a hand over his
mouth.
Shut up" he said disgustedly. DO
you want Elsa to come out and sneak
US back into the house? Come on,
now"
He led the way down the steps and
around the corner where he paused
to light the joss-stick in the tomato
can When they started again, little
Thad tripped on his night-gown sur
plice and went sprawling into the gut
ter He was rescued, bowling; but
not until he had been promised unlim'
tied candy could the march be taken
up again.
who are you going to sing your
carol to-" demanded the practical
Seraphina.
"Ninny! To no one in particular"
said Schuyler.
You ought to sing 1t to some one,
she persisted.
We'll, who?" he challenged; but
Seraphina was unable to defend her
point thus specifically. ''Ill tell you. y
he compromised, well 60 to Doctor
Posts. Well sing it on the way, and
sing it to him, too"
Through the deserted suburban
streets they marched; Schuyler in the
lead, swinging his smoking censor val
iantly; Seraphina ambling along in
his wake; and little Thad bringing up
the rear. his strange surplice bearing
unmistakable evidence Of the gutter
from which he had been recently
f1shed. And on the still winter air
rose the three childish voices in the
old. old hymn.
Doctor Post heard them caroling on
the lawn, and came to the door in his
bathrobe The three strangely CARRIED
figures met his astonished gaze.
| Good Lord! What have We here?"
he gasped.
Were heral dangels," piped little
Thad.
We're Christmas carolers." correct
ed Schuyler with much dignity.
I'm Frozen" chirped Seraphina.
The doctor made heroic effort to
maintain his gravity.
Come in, come in and get warm, "
he said Merry Christmas to you!"
They filed up the steps into the
warm, wide hall, the tomato can send
ing out its reek Of burning joss-stick.
II would like to ask If ca:olers gen.
orally wear surplices and carry cen
sers?" Schuyler questioned doubtfully.
The doctors eyes twinkled.
The best ever heard did," he said
gravely.
At that moment the telephone bell
WulTI0u Nl1ulJ, anu 40 W AoI tA0J
heard the doctor say:
Hello! Yes, this is Doctor Post
talking. Who? Oh, it's you, Marga'
ret!"-he fingered affect:onately on
the word Yes. Now don't be
alarmed. They're not lost In fact
they're here with me this minute
They came to sing me carol in good
old English fashion. No, don't trouble
to send Elsa; I'll send them home in
the carriage as soon as can get Dan
up. Not at all! Good-5y! Oh. Marga
ret. merry Christmas! Perhaps, II
you don't mind, I'll drive over with
them. Thanks. Good-by!"
Half an hour later carriage drew
up before the Van Brunt house, and
from it emerged Schuyler, Seraphina
Thad and Doctor Post. Mrs. Van
Brunt and Aunt Margaret met the cav
alcade at the door.
"Oh! OH" said Mrs. Van Brunt
gathering the three strange little fig
ures in her arms, while tears Of mer
riment ran down her face.
Doctor Post had turned to Margaret
Il thought I'd come with the herald
angels" he said laughingly, and lei
them plead peace on earth and mercy
mild for me-"
Her eyes softened. A hesitatine
smile trembled on her lips moment
uncertainty, the next moment with nc
uncertainty whatever. And then he
knew that the herald angels had &C
complished an unwilling mission.
copyright, Frank A. Munsey Co..