Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1914-12-24

had seen him. the day before. "Do
come in out of the cold Bob will be
so glad you've come. II those per-
fectly lovely things are for my chill
dren do let me hide them behind the
piano. oh, by the way" she added
whispering, you have just come in
time. / was almost distracted. You
always were so obliging. Bob often
says that there wasn't a man in col
lege who would help a friend out OF
a tight place the way you would. !
expected the butcher boy would do it,
but he's gone to one of those awful
barbecues- whatever that is-and /
had offered him 50 to do it. Now
listen-Oh, here comes Amy and the
children, and l told her to be sure
to keep them out for two hours.
wonder why she came back so soon.
Come, hurry upstairs before they see
you, and bring your suitcase, please"
Ted, although he didn't know whether
he was intended to get the butcher
boy away from a barbecue or simply
to conceal his presence from the chill
dren, followed his hostess up to q
third story guest room.
Nov. ] will tell YOU" said Meg,
closing the door and locking 1t be-,
hind her. "See, brought your hat
and gloves because l knew the chill
dren would suspect something II they
saw them. was expecting the butch
er's boy-he's just about your build
to play Santa for the children. What
you have to do is to dress up in these
things-this red suit. It's very thin.
l made It myself out Of red cotton
flannel SO think you can slip II
ON right over your coat, don't you!
And this false face and this nice
white beard and these galoshes.
They may be hard to walk in, but
they look more like Santa than regu-
lar shoes. Anyhow, think they are
Just nice for Santa Claus"
"Is Amy well?" asked Ted rather
pointlessly.
Meg simply nodded her head in the
affirmative. She was still thinking
about the galoshes. tits funny how
things come in handy, even when
you don't want them at the time, isn't
it? often say-but, if you'll excuse
me Ill just leave you. I've a thou
sand things to do and Amy said some
thing about going away this after
neon and having to pack so she won't
be able to help me at all. There
are some books If you want to read.
Bob won't be back till twelve. | told
him he would be much more help II
he wasn't in the way so he has gone
off to the club to smoke. We will |
have the Santa appearance Just be-
fore dinner You can say that you
came in the skylight because there |
wasn't room for your pack in the
chimney and that you walked down.
stairs. Then you can go back and
take OF your disguise and go out the
front door and RIM the bell. The
children will think you have Just
come. You were awfnIly good to offer
to do this for me-" Meg was unlock
Ing the door and leaving. you may
as well smoke If you want to-" she
said. Il am going to have those cur
tains cleaned next week anyway so
h doesn't matter II they do smell
smoky"
You might tell Amy that ! am
here.R said Ted.
hOh, she doesn't mind the smoke"
replied Meg. Besides, she almost
never comes into this room"
Ted felt himself defeated.
For an hour and half he remained
n his solitary confinement and then
Meg came again to see that he was
properly dressed and to give him the
.ue for his descent.
wait tin get all the way down
md then start" she told him.
Does Amy know ] am here?" Ted
lsked with unconeealed concern.
Hasn't the remotest suspicion Of
T." answered Meg. 4 think she must
V expecting someone for she has
- nfoffan Ia