The Coconino sun., 1920-12-17
HOW CHRISTMAS CAME TO
 THE BEAUTIFUL LADY
Continued from page 1.)

that way? I though you said she would like me. Will have to go back to the Home?"
 The man raised his head. "No-no," he said in queer voice. 'I guess shouldn't have done it. You see, Tom my, she feels so badly about losing her little boy. I thought you would make her forget, but it seems you have made her think of him. You know she didn't know you were com ing" ,.,
 "Then, doesn't she want me at all ?" asked Tommy wistfully.
 "Yes-fm sure she will want you. l want you, anyhow, old chap"
 That night, Tommy ate lonely supper in the nursery. He hadn't seen the Smiling Man since morning. He called for Marie, but no one came. "He says he wants me. So I guess he won't care if go down and find him. he thought.
 He left the nursery and went quiet ly into the hall. He met no one in the halls or on the stairs, but when he reached the library, he saw the Beau tiful Lady and the Smiling Man sit ting in front of the fire. He was walking toward them, when he heard the man speak his name. He stood still, trembling. Neither of the two had seen him.
 "I didn't think you'd feel so about Tommy" the Smiling Man was say ing. "He's such dear little fellow"
 "But I can't feel differently about it. 1 could never let him have Jun ior's place here"
 "Of course not. But isn't there oth- CT room for him? Helen, know you couldn't help but love him. Won't you try"
 "No, dear; Pm afraid 1 can't"
 After pause, the man went on. "I hate to send him back to the Home. He's never seen a Christmas tree, and he's so anxious for Christmas to come Think of it, Helen. He has never had Christmas-a real one. Would n't it make you happy to give him one happy Christmas?'
 "No, Charles. Christmas can never mean anything to me but sadness. Can't you see how it would pain me to have him here? No" she raised her hand as he started to speak. "Charles, please let's not talk of this anymore. 1 can't stand it.
 Tommy turned blindly and stumbled back up to the nursery. He threw himself down and sobbed pitifully.
 "Poor little kiddie," whispered Ma rie, as she undressed him for bed. "Fine kind of treatment for poor, lonely little kid. Mrs. Manning used to be just lovely-so sweet and kind but she's sure changed heaps. I'll swear her heart must be pure iron"
 Tommy's heart ached miserably, but finally he went to sleep, sobbing to himself. "Day after tomorrow's Christmas-and I'm going back to the Home"
 But he did not know that long after the house was still the Beautiful Lady came and laid her cool hand on his hot, tear-stained cheeks and smoothed back his hair. "He does look sweet-may- be-" She strengthened up, and her face hardened again. "No; l can't do it. That's all I could never stand him, know" She slipped quietly out and went to her room.
 The next morning, after half hour of useless pleading, the Smiling Man came to the nursery.
 "Sorry, old chap. But guess I'll have to take you back to the Home. Do you care, very much ?" he asked with an attempt at cheerfulness.
 "No." Tommy felt lump coming to his throat, but he forced it back Clenching his teeth, he said: "Pm- glad-kinda, cause Pm going back to Miss Fanny"
 The Smiling Man helped him button up his coat, and then they went, hand in hand, down stairs. They stopped at the library door. "Wait here min ute, Tommy" and the Smiling Man entered his wife's room, and found hel