The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1935-08-03

Gu4S uVuE
"Everything's Just great" he as.
Sured her. Couldn't be better. I
thought all Of you would be getting
in your first siege with the sand
man-so as to dream about Santa,
and what he'll put on the Christ
mas tree for you to find in the
morning"
He shook q playful finger at her.
Little girls should be extra good
on Christmas Eve" he chided. II
put my own little girl safely to bed
her eyes as big as SaucerS in an.
ticipation Of what the dawn will
bring her."
Casually he turned away and
started to descend the staircase.
"Oh! Schuyler" Betty begged.
IF you're going to be Santa Claus
and surprise Donetta, please let
me be in on it-let me help you.
don't feel a bit Sleepy-really-let
me help you trim the tree"
MillbankS laughed.
What a child you are" he said.
The servants will attend to the
tree-1'Il put the gifts on later. I'm
on my way to the kennels. One Of
my prize golden settlers, Lass o.
Millbank, Is having her first litter
tonight" He smiled whimSically
back at Betty. "And she'll feel
more mfortable If I'm there"
Suky'S Doll
Betty went back into her own
room, q tender smile on her lips
Donetta was surely q lucky girl,
she thought nicer husband just
couldn't be dreamed Of than
Schuyler MillbankS.
In the dreSsing-room Suky was
already prepared for sleep in her
quaint old.faShioned white muslin
night gown, high-necked and long.
Sleeved, q tiny lace frill framing
her wrinkled black hands and face
AS Betty'S eyes rested casually
upon those hands, she paused.
whats that you've got there,
Suky?" she asked,
"Oh! nothing, Miss Betty. -"
Suky held the little object out to
her. "Jes' a little doll. You know
honey, when folks git old like me,
dey has 1deaS-and dey likes some
things more than Others"
Betty took the little figure
cur1ously into her hand. It was
made from substance which she
did not recognize. It looked more
ike . raw potato that had
turned dark from exposure to the
air than anything she could think
OF. The doll was well carved. A
mans figure, with q rope made
OF heavy thread braided around
the throat, drawn tight.
What on earth?" Betty puzzled,
Whats that rope for, Suky?"
suky laughed mellowly.
The rope, honey" she re.
peated. "Why, that's jeS' an idea
OF Suky's. Sho now, honey, I jes'
want to see how tight I kin draw
that rope there, before the head
jeS' naturally drops right off,"
Again she laughed.
The huge old gray stone house
had been sunk in slunbrouS
quiet for some time, when Betty
was awakened from that first
deep sleep that comes after emo.
tional strain.
Betty! Betty!" it came again.
''For Gods sake come here! Oh!
my God! What shall I do? Oh!
My God!"
The voice was that Of her host,
Schuyler MillbankS, and seemed
to be coming from the terrace
outside the bedroom windows.
Betty grabbed the padded coat
that had already seen service that
night, and, opening her terrace
door, stepped shiveringly out into
the cold, showing, near-dawn.
Outside this doorway q small
group had gathered, their teeth
chattering with cold and horror
.. horror Of that upon which
they gaEed.
Schuyler MillbankS was beside
himself with grief and rage-his
hair was wild, and his eyes stared
as though about to burst from
his head. He stin had on the gay
mackinaw in which Betty had
last seen him on the stairs.
where's vane?" he shouted.
''Where Is he? Get him, some
one! IF the murderer's still in
the house! Why doesn't someone
get Vane? Oh! God!" he Sobbed.
why did I eYfr ask him down