The Washburn leader., 1914-01-23
CHAPTER XIV.
Two Days Before Christmas.
TITLE PETER was awake "

not even feather had ever weighed
before-his promise to his grandmother
to tell her what the something" be-
tween Bridget and himself was when
she should he home from her dinner at
the Ogdens.
Betty recollected Pierre's promise
very well. but it was no part of her
simple scheme of education to remind
her boy Of that which he should not
forget-a promise. She was pulling on
her cuffs preparatory to going shop
ping Stradivarius was playing with
her mufI cord: little Peter was put
ting on her oversnoes: he was also puZ-
zling out his own tangled skein
Finally. with a great last pull at the
second overshoe. he said, Grand
mammal
"Yes. dear?"
"That between Brigitte and me.
cannot tell to you today"
Every we'll. dear" In Betty's mind
it was undoubtedly Christmas gift
which Miss Supple had led the path to
buying. "Re sure not to 60 off the
block with your sled after you come
from Signor Prati's."
II will. grandmamma."
''Kiss me. darling" Betty kissed
him: she was down the stairs; little
Peter fingered at the landing. then he
dashed impetuously after her.
"Grandmamma!"
"Yes?"
II made the visit to the stranger!"
"Pierre" Betty stood still. letting 60
OF the doorknob.
Mime Grandmere. it was wicked,
but SO very pleasant: oh. yes. did
It."
"But, Pierre. dear, you promised?
She sat down on the hall chair and
. drew him to her.
: He nodded. II did. but l did not
know how pleasant, how easy. 1t was. !"
ut is generally easy to be naughty.
dear. What now shall grandmamma
do with the little boy she cannot
trust?'
r but you can trust. 1t was not the
real visit" the little boy halted. mot
the visit prepared. did not know.
, 1t was as when Ole Pull jumps out of
dark corner. You don't know 1t un-
!. til he does the jumps"
+ Betty's heart also jumped. Where
+ had the child been lured to?
pierre. what strangers house have
you been in. tell me?" Her tone was
, as severe as she knew of.
''Grandmamma. it is now that
know the name of him. He told me.
!. He is exactly gentleman. am sure. -
i, "WelI. what is his name?'
Peter Van Zandt. the same as the
!, grandpapa for which we pray"
Betty sat still. very still, aud the
. rose flood died from her cheeks. and
!. her fingers trelnbIed as she tried to be
noncha4ant and button her gloves.
Now it Ia that ! have made the
. visit HI Ole Bull Jumps you will not be
angry or sorry with me. grandmam,
ma?
Size drew tie little boy closer. mo
dear: you have told me. That makes
}. things right aod"-
!. ''Isut. s,randmamma, have not told
yon aii.'' be interrupted loyalty. '"rhat
] e:,i,ssot.''
She ssx.ofed the Christmas present
and Miss supplies injunctions, doubt
iess. cot to reveal: 80 she laughed and
answered. mo matter. By and by. per.
, hapx ut chfistmas. eh. you will tell
> me. .all?''
Exactly. Yes. granAmamma. at
J Christaaas." he pushed up her glove
. aud pressed his lips to her wrist:
''(:Oodby: goadby!'' The roans and the
coupe. were ut the curb. but Mrs. Van
Zundt wifi, smile shook her head to
the coachmAa. and walked over to
Broadway.
Then rush for cap and coat. nit
tens. sled and vtoiin case. Bridget and
. Shaddle both helping him. and OF
around the corner to see the stranger
. and to 60 to his lesson.
|, The butler and Miss Supple saw them
meet from, the window on the area
Maybe. come Christmas. shAd. the
master and mistress l-you know!'
.che faithful woman jerked her hand
toward Nr. Van Zandt and the little
hoy.
maybe. come Cbristmas,' remarked
Mr.. Shaddle In q wise but restrained
tone. '.other things II come round. too.
Biddy.. .a5 .
When Van Zandt and the little boy
met that morning they plotted their
secret without difficulty =
Van Zaudt had seen Ned Davies: be
already knew that Amy De PeystAr
Ind at last given In. and that after
nearly thirty years Of serving the tire
less Ned was to be rewarded: that ON
Christmas eve ats O'Clock in the rec
u tory Of st. Michael's Bloomingdale.
Il Ned and Amy were to be married. Ned
i had conddsd to him a i curious mat
u ter Of fact curt fashion. thst no one