Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-12-19

Sdlb OlIIO. II > CIlltulST. lUdl IL. Let y
handle this thing ourselves. My dear
window washer, what was the idea?"
The man was trembling. When he
tried TO speak his voice quite failed
him, so Cyril went to the buffet and
poured him some water.
He's much more scared than that"
said Billo, cycling the water. How
ever
Don't lock me up" said the man
queerly. I've got a wife and two
little folks. I done wrong. But 1
done it for Christmas.
You were stealing for Christmas
presents for them?" Yvonne cried.
I'll put it back" said the man.
Il should think so-such a Christ.
mas preSent-an old teakwood box
why didn't you take something nice?"
asked Billo absently. Il beg your par
don. l didn't mean to pick on your
taste"
What's that, sir?" asked the man
trembling.
Hush, Billo," said Yvonne. Cyril.
put down that telephone. Now, my
friend-tell us, can't your"
The man moved toward her. He
was young, ragged, neat.
II don't earn enough" he said,
hardly to keep us in food-never to
keep us in clothes. Christmas comes
my wife, she expects nothing. The
little girls--they do expect. I have
nothings--nothings saw that box,
and I saw the beads--I can tie good
knots. tied up the lady and ran
with the box, / kept on working in
the next room and down here. And
when nobody even look for me, 1 can
not take that box. 1 was trying to
put 1t back"
why, my poor SOUL" said Yvonne,
II believe that's the truth
"Oh, my gosh" said Billo, what a
rotten world"
II should rather think as much"
said Cyril, interpreting the leaping
pity In Yvonne's eyes. If 1t means
that we've got to start out again."
You can come with u.s. said
Yvonne to the man. I'VE can get in
most of the shops yet"
Il knew It," Cyril groaned.
"Order the car, Cyril" said Yvonne
briefly.
,. AS they let themselves out the hall
door Miss Claude's voice came down
to them.
"Oh. Yvonne-Yvonne! I've forgot
ten two more. Could you bring me a
vanity case and a base ball mitt?'
"All right, darling" said Yvonne
simply.
They shopped for another hour.
loaded their window.washer down.
drove to his home, saw the wife and
the two little folks" heard his
broken thanks. When they dropped
her at her aunt's door. Yvonne said:
You'd better come back for din
ner I've a feeling the day is not yet
done"
You're going with me to the Christ
mas tree" Billo reminded her.
II am doing nothing Of the sort,
thanks" said Yvonne.
X 4 x
A T dinner Miss Claude did not ap-
pear at ALL She's sewing on
those five yards Of galloon," Yvonne
explained. IT didn't bother her"
|. Elsa served coffee in the drawing
room In her best gown Of red and
black, having changed when dessert
was on the table. She took the cups
away land they wished her Joy of her
Christmas tree and her family dinner
-seti at 9 o'clock. she explained. so
that Everybody could be done with
work and arrive in good time.
At 10 o'clock Billo rose. Come on
with me to the Christmas tree" he
+ begged Yvonne.
1--WE had enough Christmas already
to satisfy anybody" said Yvonne.
I'm not going"
Run along, Billo," said Cyril. Eve
let you hang around us all day"
And I've got to CO." Billo informed
him gloomily, because I promised.
But If she says she'll marry you.
while my backs turned, I'll be the
best little Christmas hater in the
bunch. q"
Hearing the hall door close, Miss
Claude's voice came down: ooh,
Yvonne! If you're going out, do you
| think you could get me bottle Of
passable perfume at drug store?"
| I've forgotten-"
| In less than two minutes the apart
ment doorbell rang, and there stood