The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-12-25

Jim. wouldn't be afraid to try 1t, but
you Know you have to pay for your
only b Z burden. We are happy now.
"A boarding house isn't home,'' he re-
Sorfed as he sat down at table. When
Jim managed a smile ct his fancse.
neE with = few toys. and then burst into
Dear. rye got great schemer' be ex-
claimed: Lets get up . Christmas tree
for the Pon.onbys baby and invite all the
beaneaters-hey7
...Wonldn't It be fun?'.
present for every one Of 'em-shall
We miss 1t out OF the home fund. dear?''
\. N s..eS that viii bring happiness will
"Right-o. grille! Then. I'll meet you at
supper time and wen do some shopping.
consult You s from time to ti%e III get sna
morning there'n be = great time in the
picked up the surelin. baby bah sf tossed it Ito to
the ceiling, kissed 1t shame-facedly and
seye IT to airline. Cute little besgsr. int
ITS = perfect darling" said Airline
happily.
All through the hard-driven day Airline
time sSsS we1e to han ned
Christmas. 1t would seem quite like old
times at home, before she was obliged to
alone in the world. There had been lone
ly Christmas seasons until tine last one,
when she became engaged to Jim Ben
nett-and now this Christmas was to be
enlightened by the presence Of the baby.
How could the Ponsonbys ever have
parted with their own child!
That question was not answered until
the next morning. Christmas eve found
Airline without her position in the store.
but she dismissed the harassing thought
until the morrow should be over.
Christmas morning abe left Peggy Pom
sonby slumbering in her bed. while she
crept down to the shabby parlor where
IN Bennett had already preceded her to
was gay little tree when it was all
dressed with giittering ornaments and
weighted with various mysteriously bulg-
ing gifts for the household. Airline and
Jim went down to breakfast bearing IN
vitations to the unfortunate borders who
had received no biduing to Christmas
cause they were too widely separated
from old ties.
when airline came in with the Ponsonby
baby. who was the indirect cause OF these
festivities.
And at this very moment, while Peggy
was growing with delight at tho glittering
tree the door opened and Mrs. Johnson
ushered in little black-eyed man, and .
man and woman handsomely dressed,
young and haggard-lOoking.
The woman screamed hysterically and
held out her arms to the baby. at is my
baby" she cried. my little-littles Peggy
| .,6@ve AACA ~ AiCs PACaSS. 0hS SuAIC1ASO
the baby from Arline's arms and Rugged
her to her breast while the man put his
arms around them both and turned his
head away.
Mrs. johnson attempted an explanation:
Seems like these Ponsonbys were kid
napers.' she said primly. 1.-THE baby be-
longed to Mr.. and Mrs. Latimer here. and
they stole II. This gentleman Indicating
the little dark man, lis detective and he
trailec the Ponsonbys here; they got wind
of 1t and escaped yesterday morning,
leaving the blessed baby here. # it hadn't
been for Miss Avery here that lamb
would have been in the orphan asylum
this minute!" Mrs. johnson managed q
tear.
And you were even getting UP a
Christmas tree for it," added Miss Marks,
the milliner. with an admiring glance at
Airline.
The Latimers listened and came for
ward, thanking Airline for her care and
listening to Jim's reluctant explanation If
the baby's Christmas tree.
I'VE must stay and enjoy the tree" de-
cided Mrs. Latimer. This Is baby's first
Christmas and she must celebrate 1t
among acknowledgements 1914, by the
Mcclure Newspaper syndicate) 'i'.,