The Topeka state journal., 1922-12-18
EUening Story
Santa in Brass Buttons.
BY ARCHEY CAMERON NEW

son & Co.'S department store, rising
six imposing stories above the busy
street, reflected on romance and lux
ury. True, she wanted to be loved for
herself alone, but what, with Dan
Rourke's assurance dinned daily in
her ear that she could bring light even
to a blind mans eyes, could prevent
one of those richly clad:kimportant
looking men in the passing throng
from loving her with equal ardor?
1t might even be the young Mr. Will
son, she reflected, as later, shorn of
her waitress apron and cap, and at
tired in bargain priced yet attractive
fur coat and FUR toQue atop her riot
ousIy golden head, she paused on the
front street among the busy Christ
mas shopping throng, and pulling on
her gloves glanced upward toward the
store offices
AAnd Patrolman Dan Rourke, hap
pening along as usual as Mary left
for home, failed to understand her alb
straction as she answered his usual
greetings hstlessly.
I'm off tonight, darlfn'," he whis-
pered into her hat. How about
movie?'' But as he took her arm she
wriggled away.
1t had to come sooner or later,
thought Mary. What chance to at
tract moneyed cavalier with po-
liceman always at her side?
Not tonight, Dan-nor any more"
she told him, trying to ease his evil
dent hurt with a soft SMILE Cant
you see Dan, they'll think I'm a shop
lifter-you takin' my arm that way.
Please
but, darlin','' protested Dan, dunn
founded, they'll know different. An
later when ye're Inspector Rourke's
wife, they'll be smilin' at ye.''
I'm not even Officer Rourke's wife
now" she answered, mildly positive,
''and won't ever be. And, Dan, I'm
in a hurry"
left him and hurried for her car.
What could be the matter? And just
before Christmas, too!
Twas the day before Christmas and
Wilson & Co.'S windows still weaved
their charms, not only for Mary Miles
and other thousands but also for little
Petey Rollins.
"Geer" exclaimed Petey, his
smudged nose pressed against the toy
Toys of all descriptions. choo-choo
cars that ran on tracks, wagons, sleds.
dancing dolls that shimmied when
wound, games, bats, balls, gloveS-and
skates Ice skates whose razor edges
cleaning under a thousand window
lights cut clean into the ten-year-old's
covetous brain What mattered q
frayed shoe on their smooth footrestsH
Gee, thought Petey, it must be great
The Welfare Organization would leave
Christmas, dinner at the Rollinses-
but no, not skates.
And back in the alley, whence Petey
now drifted, there were more of them,
heaps more, being loaded into the big
drays. And as he leaned against a
wall a full dray rumbled by noisily
under its overflowing load, dropping
as it passed box that fell and broke
Fate had answered PeteyS most de-
vout wishi Therein the alley-lay
a pair of skates. He rubbed his eyes
unbelieVingly, then advanced cautious
ly, picked them up and clutched them
in his tiny arms. Losti And he had
Santai
Hey, you." A harsh voice broke
on Petey's ear and heavy hand fell
on his slender shoulder. A brawny
that's your game, eh? Yer tn guy
that's been liftin' stuff off tn drays?
Come here with met" And Petey,
feebly protesting, soon found himself,
private office in the third floor
Across a large flat-topped desk a
young man glowered at him, then
barked an order to the clerk.
don't send for tn cops. didn't steal
'em. They dropped outa tn wagon.
Honest, they did, seen 'em fall out
an was jes' Iookin' at 'em. Please,
mister, amt got no
"Officer," broke in young Mr.. Will
son, to Dan Rourke, who had just en-
tered, we've caught the young scamp
who's been, stealing from our wagons.
He's got the goods there now. See"
"Oh, Mr. Rourke," Petey tugged at
stealin'. These-skates-fell out tn
wagon. I found 'em, honest 1 did. L
amt
Are We sure, Mr.. wilson," asked
~ lad
know his mother, too. They're honest
folks. Maybe there's some mistake
maybe he did find"
Hes got the skates. hasn't he?"
don't deny they're ours. We must
make an example of him. Besides"
with SNUG righteousness. isn't he try
ing to spoil some child's Christmas?
away. And, er-have the hearing day
after tomorrow. Tomorrow's Christ
mas, and can't get away from my"
''The hearin' II be tomorrow"
Dan, grimly, as he reluctantly
added, leading the sad little prisoner
out of the office
spoil some childs Christmas
echoed Dan, an hour later, as he re-
turned to the Wilson corner. after con-
tron spoil that kids Christmas.
And his mummy's, too. Begad, tn
kids honest. 1 know it, An he's goin' |
t have a good Christmas, too-if L can |
help it,
Dan, looking over at the Metropoli- |
tan Dairy Lunch, saw it was dark. and |
Mary had gone home. Christmas |
wouldn't be happy for him-without |
Mary. And just then thought struck /
him, and he dashed into the corner
drug store and wriggled into tiny /
telephone booth. He got her boarding \
house and then, after a minute, heard /
her voice
Mary" he spoke hurriedly. did va
see a little kid pick up some skates in
alley about an hour ago? %
"Yes." she answered.; then puzzle
ment in her voice gave way to mis-
chief Did you lose 'em2 And how
did you know I saw it?"
.T saw YOU looking out" he an
he flir1rna M