The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-05-07
ADEL!M.:S GREAT Fail II
Ey SUSANNA PALMER.

w
began wondering among themselves
whether she still believed in Santa
Claus. Adeline had written her usual
letter to Santa and stuffed 1t up the
chimney as usual and it had to be
extracted with the accompaniment OF
much SCOT and emotion by her father.
Thunderstorm PuGle had said, try
ing to brush the scot from his face
and smearing it on the collar. This
IL the end OF such foolishness! What
an awful reach that child has! That
letter was almost I'D on the chimney
coping. She can't believe in such fool
ishness-"
"The ideal" said Mrs. Puflle, indig.
nantly. 81 think 1t is perfectly sweet
that Adeline still believes in Santa
Claus! What is little SCOT on your
collar compared with nurturing the
Imagination of your child! You haven't
any heart. Henry Pufle! I'm pos
itively ashamed Of you?"
We'll. it's me the SCOT Is on, you'll
notice!" said Pufile grimly and un'
dramatically. THAT makes some DIFF
ference! Oh, we'll, II the kid still
thinks Santa Claus exists we might a.
we'll let her keep on thinking. She'll
outgrow 1. fast enough!
They labeled nearly ill Adelins's
gifts From Santa Claus and she re-
ceived them with the same wide eyed
wonder which had attended her Christ
masses from babyhood.
RI got this from Santa" the Puhles
heard her telling the little girl next
door as she exhibited her new doll.
"There!" said Mrs. Puflle accusing
~. And you would have blighted
that innocent faith! 1t II perfectly
beautiful"
II was the same when Adeline was
ten. She babbled merrily about what
she wanted Santa Claus to bring her.
Resting her limpid eyes upon her
wondering parent, she would beseech.
ingly ask Puffle whether he thought
II she wrote very careful ncte TO
Santa. he would do such a wonderful
thing rs bring her a gold bracelet. III
I wrote it vur.ry carefully, daddy? she
repeated in her birdlike tones.
Anu Pun,e's heart melting at the
,U:1ur tr~st OF his child, he told AIDE
me The. he thought Santa would be
rnc BILE to resist her appeal.
"Only." Pul'e added, with memories
Of the year previous. 1T is not neces'
sary, dearie. to chuck your letter quite
so high up the chimney"
"Why, daddy" Adeline protested In
round eyed amazement. 1T is SO much
easier for him to get 1t II It is high up!
He has to reach clear down the chin.
ney. you know!"
ITO be sure." Puftle stammered.
II don't see." he afterward remark
ed to his wife, why she hasn't die.
covered that Santa Claus is . fake.
Some of the other children must know
The little imps are only too glad to
give It away when they are disillusion.
ed. They must have told her!"
You don't understand. Adeline!"
protested Mrs. Puzzle. "You don't real
lie at all what a sweet. trusting nature
that child has! 1t would never enter
her head to suspect! l just want to
cry when think how terrible she will
feel when she does find out hope II
will be long. long time yeti"
well. I don't see how 1t can bs, 20
long as she has eyes and ears and
some brains" growled Puffle.
Pufle was smitten dumb with
amazement when at II Adeline, az
holiday time approached. began to
chirp in her sweet, childish way what
Santa was going to bring her.
HE brought my bracelet last year"
she said to her parents. Don't you
think he'll bring me q little silver
watch this time? He would II he
knew how l wanted 1t. Santa has nov.
er disappointed me. never!"
Henry" said Mrs. Puffle q little
later. wiping her eyes, I'VE must get
Adeline that watch! wouldn't dir.
appoint her faith for worlds!"
SHE'S too young for a watch" oh.
1ecter Puffle feebly.
"But think Of her trust!" re.
preached Mrs Puffle. 1T Is beauti.
full"
1t was the day after Christmas that
the pufiles, having raised a window
to cool of the house, heard outdoors,
Just beneath the window. a CONVERSE
ton between Adeline and the little
girl next door
DO you believe in Santa Clausf"
asked the little girl.
Adeline laughed o superior and
amused laugh. Santa Claus!" she 70.
peated. Goodness me, no! I knew
there wasn't any such thing when I
was seven. but I've had to keep II up
SOS not to disappoint dad and moth.
er. They have such good time think.
Ing l believe in Santa Claus. And,
voice became trium-
phant-"do you know somethinsf II
get twice as many presents-tAey