The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1913-12-12

sure, made him quite like the altar
boys at st. Jude's. He fished beneath
his bed and drew out the tomato can
censer filled with the joss-stick.
Come on!" he whispered, and led
the way down the wide stairs.
With a caution worthy of better
things, he shot the bolts and opened
the front door. The three grotesque
figures stole silently out and stood on
the stoop in the cold Christmas dawn
The air was still and biting; the ST.
lence of the streets appalling, Sera-
phinas mind reverted to the luxury of
the bed she had just quilted.
"O-o-oh!" she chartered. TITS cold
-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 he
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 it to some one"
she persisted,
well, who?" he challenged; but
Seraphina was unable to defend her
point thus specifically "Tll tell you"
he compromised wen go 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 censer 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
fished. 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 garbed
figures met his astonished gaze.
Good Lord! What have we here?"
he gasped
Were heral dangels," piped little
Thad
Were 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'll"
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 carolers gen
orally wear surplices and carry cen
sers?" Schuyler questioned doubtfully.
The doctors eyes twinkled.
"The best l ever heard did," he said
gravely.
At that moment the telephone bell
whirred wildly, and this is what they
heard the doctor say:
Hello! Yes, this is Doctor Post
talking. Who? Oh, it's you, Marga-
ret!"-he fingered affectionately on
the word yes. Now don't be
They're not lost. In fact,
they're here with me this minute.
They came to sing me a carol in good
Did English fashion. No, don't trouble
10 send Elsa; III send them home in
he carriage as soon as can get Dan
lp. Not at all! Good-by! Oh, Marga-
'et, merry Christmas! Perhaps, If
you don't mind, I'll drive over with
hem. Thanks. Good-by!"
Half an hour later carriage drew
lp before the Van Brunt house, and
rom it emerged Schuyler, Seraphina,
rhad and Doctor Post. Mrs. Van
3runt and Aunt Margaret met the cav
llcade at the door.
ooh! Obi" said Mrs. Van Brunt,
gathering the three strange little fig
Tres in her arms, while tears of mer-
'iment ran down her face.
Doctor Post had turned to Margaret.
II thought I'd come with the herald
Ingels," he said laughingly, and let
hem plead peace on earth and mercy
mild for me-"
Her eyes softened A hesitating
mile trembled on her lips a moment
the next moment with no
whatever. And then he
new that the herald angels had ac
omplished an unwilling mission