Evening star., 1921-12-18

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stopped. You can't stay here
NO" Bart Carson forced forwar
| his blackened hand, the swollen fies!
| protruding between the interstices
/! the bandage. "No-if I could jus
have little hot water and SOM
/ arnica il you've got it-and a littL
grub. Then Tll-go on"
She turned to the cook stove with
out word. and Bart Carson sank int
\ chair. soon to feel the relief OF no
water and a soothing lotion. Then
! as he bound the wound with fresl
cloths and the woman busted hersel
with the preparation Of food. thu
| child slid between his knees ant
looked up at him.
who are you?" she asked.
"Me?" Bart Carson smiled down
| her. Don't you know who l am.
| I'm Santa Claus"
"You?" She sniffed. where's you
whiskers?"
Shaved 'em of about a week ago
| but they're comm back again. Here
he caught her hand and raised it Il
his face-"feel EN-"
They're awful scratchy"
"Sure they are" Warmth and com.
panionship were having their effect
The fatigue was fading-more anS
more the smile was broadening. Sure
as shootin-but you ought to see EN-
| when they're all grown out
"Carrie!" the woman called from thu
| he rtoi
The child obeyed. and Bart Carson
| looked up gratefully.
Thanks"
| The woman only nodded; the child
! was back at the strangers knee.
How'd you get hurt-if you're
Santa CLAUSE"
ssTHAT'S just it," Bart Carson
L leaned forward. My reindeera
ran away on me, the whole caboodle
of em, and 1 sprained my wrist try
| in to hold 'em in. 1t was just a
fresh broke team" he explained, ''and
awful skittish.'
| "Honest? the child's eyes were
wide with belief now. The man
| grinned and twisted her curls with a
finger.
| "Whatre you going to get for
Christmas"
| Nothing"
| Sure" Bart cooked his head. Sure
now?" Then he leaned closer. Rec
lect, I'm Sandy Claus. What do you
want?'
| A finger went to childish lips There
was a tiidgety moment of thought.
Then: Something for mamma"
!, WHAT"
Il don't know-something. She
| amt got anything"
Bart Carson's eyes became strangely
thoughtful.
! What's the matter with this fine
house here and this ranch and
We're going away from here"
| "Carrie."
| But Bart Carson raised his hand in
remonstrance, and the woman was
silent. He turned once more to the
! child.
"Why?" he whispered. and nodding
+, toward the mother. The child's lips
1
sought his ear.
] Il don't know. She's going into
town and work and
Bart nodded.
"Yeh. L understand. And what do
you want for yourself
"Just doll"
How'd you like to have lot OF
l,eme That'd go to sleep and ever
thing, and
whats that?" The woman stepped
to the window. pulled back the shade
and stood peering out.
where are they?" The child had
crawled to his knee. Bart laughed
apparently forgetful of the woman at
the window.
"oh, I'll have to get 'em. Them
/ blamed reindeers just took everything
wben they cut loose. But we'll fix
that, all right
"There are three men just coming
down the hill on horseback" the
woman was saying. They're headed
for the house.
Reach in this pocket over here.
honey. 1 can't on account Of my
hand" Bart still disregarded the
warning. Feel something in there?'
yes" The child brought out the
handouts. Bart spread them, then
released the safety.
BE careful Of 'em-don't snap 'em
shut, cause they won't come open
"Didn't you hear me?" The woman
was beside him. There's three
men"
"I heard" Bart Carson looked up
with smile. Then:
Listen, honey" he explained to the
child. -"See if you can remember this:
II caught him. 1 claim the reward.
II caught him." came the childish
answer, 'I claim the reward.
I The thin hand Of woman tugged
hard at his sleeve.
1T amt right" she began. but
Bart Carson's smile halted her.
He turned to the child again and
placed his strong wrist close to the
swollen one.
Put them there bracelets over my
wrists right there, honey. That's it.
Now press on 'em until they click.
Harder-there!" His face went mo-
mentarily white with the pain. but
his smile did not fade. 'Now listen.
lOP Sandy Claus has to do things I'm Il
kind of funny way. If you're going
| to get that great big present / was