Cheyenne record., 1913-12-18

Ter crept nOtselessly to the hall below
and returned with coats and hats and
mittens. When they had bundled
themselves into these outer garments,
each donned "surplice." At the last
moment Schuyler bethought him of
the brilliant cord on his fathers bath.
robe, and at the imminent peril Of dis
covery he stole into Mr.. Van Brunt's
dressing-room and returned with the
coveted cord encircling his small
waist. This finishing touch, he felt
sure, made him quite slike the altar
boys at st. Jude's. He fished beneath
his bed and drew out the tomato can
censer filled with the 5oss-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 81
lence Of the streets appalling. Sera-
phina's mind reverted to the luxury of
the bed she had just quilted.
"O-o-oh!" she chartered ITS 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 hand over his
mouth.
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. "l'll tell you,"
he compromised. well 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
f1shed. And on the still winter air
rose the three childish voices in the
old, old hymn.
Doctor Post heard them caroling cn
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.
We're heral dangels." piped little
Thad.
Were Christmas carolers." correct
ed Schuyler with much dignity.
'I'm frozen," chirped Seraphina.
The doctor made a 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 cut its reek Of burning joss.stick.
Il would like to ask IL carolers gen.
orally wear surplices and carry cen.
sers?" Schuyler questioned doubtfully.
The Doctors eyes twinkled.
1.-THE best ever heard did," he said
gravely.
At that moment the telephone bell
whjrred 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 "Y-e-s. Now don't be
alarmed. They're not lost. In fact,
they're here with me this. minute.