The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-05-02
ADELINE'S GREAT FAITH
ey SUSANNA PALMER.

began wondering among themselves
whether she still believed in Santa
Claus. Adeline had written her usual
letter to Santa and stuffed It up the
chimney as usual and 1t had to be
extracted with the accompaniment OF
much SCOT and emotion by her father
"Thunderation!" PuAle had said, try
ing to brush the SCOT from his face
and smearing it on the collar. This
is the end of such foolishness! What
an awful reach that child has! That
letter was almost up on the chimney
coping. She can't believe In such TOOL
ishness-"
1.-THE ideal" said Mrs. Puf1e, indig.
nantly. II think it is perfectly sweet
that Adeline still believes In Santa
Claus! What is a little SCOT on your
collar compared with nurturing the
imagination Of your child! You haven't
any heart, Henry Puffle! I'm pos
itively ashamed Of you?"
"We,l, it's me the SCOT is on, you'll
notice!" said Puffle grimly and un'
dramatically. THAT makes some diff
ference! Oh, well. If the kid still
thinks Santa Claus exists We might as
we'll let her keep on thinking. She'll
outgrow it fast enough!
They labeled nearly all Adelines
gifts From Santa Claus" and she re-
ceived them with the same wide eyed
wonder which had attended her Christ
masses from babyhoed.
Il got this from Santa" the Pufiies
heard her telling the little girl next
door as she exhibited her new doll.
"There!" said Mrs. PufIle accusing
Iy. And you woulG have blighted
that innocent faith! 1t is perfectly
beautiful.
It. vas the game when Adeliae was
ten. She babbled merrily about what
she wanted Santa Claus to bring her.
Resting her lilnpid eyes upon her
wondering parent, she would beseech'
ingly ask Puffla whether he thought
il she wrote a very careful ncce TO
Santa he you'd do such q wonderful
thing as bring her gold bracelet. III
wrote it ,ur-ry carefully, daddy" she
repeated in her lirllike tones.
And PulIie's heart melting at the
tender trust of lis child, ne told AIDE
line that he thought Santa would be
unable to resist ner appeal.
Only" Puzzle added, with memories
Of the year previous, 1T 10 not neces-
sary, dearie, to chuck Your letter quite
so high up the oaimney!"
"Why, daddy" Adeline protested in
round eyed amusement. ut is so much
easier for him to get 1t II II is high up!
He has to reach clear down the CHM
ney, you know!"
ITO be sure" PUZZLE stammeredi
Il don't see," he afterward remark
ed to his wife, why afe hasn't dis
covered that Santa Claus is a fake.
Some of the other children must know.
The little imps are only too glad to
give 1t away when they are disillusion-
ed. They must have told her!"
"You don't understand. Adeltne!"
protested Mrs. PufIle. "You don't real
ize at all what sweet, trusting nature
that child has! 1t would never enter
her head to suspect! 1 just want to
cry when think how terrible she will
feel when she does find out. hope It
will be long long lime YETI"
"Well, L don't see how it cam be, 80
long as she has eges and ears and
some brains" grow,sd Pud!e.
Puflle was smltten DUMB with
amazement when 1T II Adeiine, as
holiday tima approached. began to
chirp in her sweet, childish way what
Santa was going 10 bring her.
HE brought my bracelet last year"
she said to her parents. Don't you
think hell bring me a little silver
watch this timer He would II he
knew how I wantsdit Santa has new
er disappointed ne, never!"
Henry" said Mrs. Putfe . little
later, wiping her eyes. we must get
Adellns that watch! l wouldn't das'
appoint her faith for wodds!"
"She's too young for 4 watch" Oh
jeotar Puffle fsehly.
But think OF her trustl" 70
preached Mrs Puffle. ut IL teauti
ful!'
Ii was the day after Christmas, that
the Puffles. having raised a window
TO cool off the house. heard outdoors
just beneath the window, a aonversa
ton between Adelias and the Ettle
girl next door
do you believe In Santa Ciaus!'
asked the little gin.
Adeline laughed a superior and
amused lsugh. Santa Claus" she re
peated. Goodness me, mol l knew
there wasn't any such thing when
was seven, but I've had, to keep 1t ny
SOS not to dis4ppoint dad and moth
er. They have such a good time think
Ing l believe III Sarsa Claus. Aud
say'-Adelin9's Voice became trium
phant-"do gou know something?
get twice IS many presents-theJ
hare to give me some from Santa
Claus besides these they give mt
themselves!"
"Tee-hse!" giggled the little neigh
Dor girl. apDre ,iately