Show vV"?fe lW)nTShipm®g x© & CojtyripJi 9o 0c66l Aftrrif ' 7 Co T The confident voice the voice of a personage went on but the shabby figure outside relaxed shivering a bit He against the wall of the station was thinking fast but his listening now was less careful he knew the rest his data were collected There was a whistle down the track and a wave of humanity drew together the train pulled In the man hov' ering in the background waited to see Mr Maxwell of Maxwell Field in a ulster with its collar and cuffs of sable and the thin clergyman in his overcoat a little gray at the seams enter a car together before he sprang unnoticed into the car behind them ware thick the clergyman’s head shake disapHERE flurries at intervals provingly as if the world were “I don’t like it It’s six miles and filled with a sudden you’ll have to go through the River storm of white feathMills — the other road’s Impassable ers but no weight of There’s a bad lot of roughs there just snow fell the air now Pat O’Hara— who used to be my — told me about it last had a sweet coldness as one inhaled week He’s working now on the Falls’ it yqt was as mild bridge and lives two miles this side as December He says they’re genuine desperadoes might be and It will be known that you’re coming — The two children and their small not be pusillanimous it’s always known What possesed mother sat big on the rug before the fire —a win- you to go back at night?” the fire being an especial luxury for ter’s day there was “Delayed” the laconic tones an- Christmas Eve The nursery was a not the ghost of a reason why the swered “A meeting of the board of pleasant room the spendthrift fire1:05 local from Barchester should be directors” light washed brightness over gay two hours late “Well delay a bit longer and you of coarse stuffs over cheap prints The handful of pasengers at Blenmay save time” the clergyman threw of fine pictures over the whitewashed heim Junction wandered aimlessly back Sid“Don’t go home walls and the peace of the two white afraid to go away lest the belated it’s really unsafe” ney— beds folded back for the night There train should make up time now and “Must get home for Christmas was a homelike full of again they drifted together and ex- morning — couldn’t disappoint the ba- the alert leisure atmosphere of a house where changed pessimistic surmises as to said the voice much is done The children leaned steady by” anyany one’s chances of getting close against the woman between “I know” the clergyman agreed The shifting where for Christmas Yet” he them the girl’s hair was spread on human atoms might be classified as “I’m in the same box bunch harked back “it’s 'taking toq much her mother’s shoulders and the boy’s four bunches: the small-bothree women circling about a stolid and annoyed boy the tobacco bunch four unshaven men the parson — black of clothes pallid yet Btrong of face — and his friend a prosperous business man by the look of him and the fourth division a solitary individual This last was young and so Btrongly built that muscle was the first impression on looking at him His listless movements were powerful his face was cast In a virile mold but it was strength and beauty gone wrong The face was lined with the eyes were dull a unhappiness swinging walk lapsed to a lurch his coat collar was up and his hat brim down his clothes were' shabby The observer would have hypothetical seen that the man avoided with some effort the clergyman and his friend As they came toward him down the for long platform walking briskly warmth talking earnestly together he watched them from under his shaturned his back as dowing they neared him and disappeared behind the station His hands in the pockets of his overcoat he stared out at the fields with resentful eyes He came to a stop in front of a bench and dropping into it drew out a letter The thin envelope fell open as if read often before “Dear Carl” the writing ran “1 saw Peterson two days ago and he told me yu were playing in bad luck There’s an opening out here in my business for a person who knows several languages and you came to my mind Would you care to take it? You would have to put up a thousand or two and that beyond traveling expenses would be all the money necI think you would like it essary The business is going to be a big one and we are making money now There is plenty of work but plenty of play “The Man Drew a Sharp Breath” also of the kind you’re good at — tennis and polo and that sort And there’s risk You have' no right to run such arm was around her' and his head of a start in the certainty fresh life a risk How much are you carrying?” pressed her arm with every chance of a solid career ’Three thousand dollars” “Say ’The Night Before Christ“I’m sure you know what a pleasure The man outside drew a sharp mas’ again mother” he begged “You it would be to me because it’s always you’d say it next” as if the had distinct breath words promised hit been a pleasure to be with you since “No she didn’t Benny” objected thousand dollars! Think it him Three the first days of Groton “She only promised she’d inside repeated the girl The clergyman over and send me a line by New them '“Three thousand dollars! It’s say it again she hasn’t said ‘While Year’s so I may know during January Shepherds Watched’ at all yet or told I repeat that I want you and that I too much to carry after dark through us the story of the beasts on Christa nest of banditti” hope you may care to come” “Banditti!” The other’s tone pro- mas Eve Have you mother?” The letter was dated from Hong “My knee Benny — you weigh a ton tested Kong But Dr Harding persisted “At least dear” remonstrated the mother push“Care to come!” The man flapped ing a heavy foot “We’ll do this leave the money in town” the paper with a gesture of despair Alice Benny knows ‘While Shepand at the Becond a door creaked “Where?” Maxwell asked “The herds Watched’ as well as I and if mournfully behind him opened half- banks are closed The men’s wages he’ll it then I’ll do ‘The Night say clear-cut must I’ll j and be the the twenty-sixtway paid clergyman’s Before Christmas’ and the story and carry it safe enough— the Maxwells speech sounded through it “You don’t mind the draft?” the have carried their employes wages to Just anything you want” “I like your saying of it mother voice asked “It’s close in here” Maxwell Field for five generations” The clergyman’s reply was serious better than I do Benny’s He always The man outside the letter clasped makes the angels talk like people” against his knee did not stir he lis- “With two Maxwells killed to discourtened intently The two within sat age the practice” he said There was Alice demurred But the boy undisturbed by critidown without seeing him back to silence for a moment Then “I see back with him the wall between what can be done” the older man cism began at once ' His large brown fixed on the fire he recited Every word they spoke came out to spoke “Give me the money I’ll take eyes slowly and conscientiously the him distinctly and it to the rectory Christmas carol: “Why don’t you put that bag on the you’ll all be over to service and While Shepherds watched their flocks by floor? You hold on to it as if it were you can fetph it back How is that?” night “You’ve a lonely drive too” treasure” the pleasant easy tones All seated on the rround of the parson continued “Only two miles” said Harding The angel of the Lord came down And glory shone around The big man’s answer came after "And there’s no danger for me Nothe reedy voice repeated and a listena second’s pause “It Is treasure” he body suspects a parson of money” said briefly Maxwell considered hesitated “I er might have understood what Alice “Do you mean— Sidney you’re not think I’ll accept your offer doctor” meant It was much as if John Jones with the he said at last driving borne alone “Quarles the man- had met William Smith and menmen’s wages?” ager objects to my landing with a tioned to him a matter of news about “No 'not alone Tomlinson meets bag which I carry carefully myself as a mutual friend an angel But to the me” I must when it’s loaded this way” woman who listened with the boy’s “Tomlinson! He’s nothing That is The man outside strained forward head against her shoulder the incon—he’s a good coachman of course could imagine the manufacturer’s the gruous inflections were sweet but the mildest ruffian could do up hand laid on the stout bag on his audacity of it seemed to bring 'so t Tomlinson with one haty A great case I throw near that it thrilled her a night knee “My at somebody to be put into the trap when for another Child’s sake the protection!” ”1 don’t want protection” the slow and I think no more of it but this I Bkles had rung with a song that has voice “I can protect my- keep by me and I’m so well known echoed always Benny’s fresh tones — self and Tomlinson” about the country that they are fa- disclosed with careful conversational The man outside could ill but see miliar with my ways” emphasis more and more facts about angels to him a shade less real a shade more holy than his mother To you in David’s town this day la born of David’s linn who Is Christ the Lord A Saviour And this shall be the sign— was elucidated in a realistic manner and the child proceeded to explain ‘Thus spoke the seraph and forthwith appeared a shining throng of an gels — praising God — who thus addressed their joyful song” An atheist would have got an impression hearing him tell it that the boy had seen with bis eyes and heard There with his ears what he related was a silence as the sturdy tones end ed and Benny’s eyes gazed on into the heart of the fire as if they saw in a vision the still eastern night the shepherds on the hills the white flight of angels “You repeated it very nicely” Mrs Harding said softly and put her mouth “Now you against his head again shall have yours” The big girl caught her mother’s hand — a hand worn with hpusework and sewing— and held It against her cheek “’Twas the night before Christmas when all through the house” the woman began and went on as many women have begun and gone on with the charming old poem to children on Christmas Eve The fire crackled in the pauses and the logs fell apart an accom with gentle heaviness paniment to the swinging sentences “Now just one more children dear and you really must go to bed - It’s It’s almost nine” very late — look! and the girl and the boy cried out to gether “Oh the Beasts! The Beasts!” They pressed against her a head on either shoulder and held her hands in theirs while she told them a tale ol a boy in a German forest whose father and mother were so poor that there was not enough to eat in the house She told them how he lay in his cot on Christmas Eve and heard them plan how he listened as they divided what food was left into three breakfast portions for the largest for the boy how h sobbed to himself in the dark as he heard them arrange to kill his two friends the old horse Frledel and the old cow' Minna rather than let them starve to death (TO BE CONTINUED) SOME IDEAS FOR DECORATIONS REVEALS A CULINARY SECRET Woman Noted for Her Success with Panned Chicken Tells How It 8hould Be Done deliwhose A famous entertainer cious panned chicken is noted among her friends haB consented to give the Becret of the peculiar flavor that no other cook seems to get “I have never found broiled chicken It was either raw or satisfactory burned to a crisp and most of my cooks get it too dry and tasteless “Just by luck I hit upon the plan of cooking the chickens in the steamer basting with plenty of butter and a little water until they are almost done “Five minutes before they are to be served I remove the steamer from oven take off top and put the pan on the bottom of gas stove exposed to the flame of broiler “This gives the crisp brownness that can only be found In a broiled chicken yet the meat is tender and Care must be taken not to put lulcy the chickens too close to the flame and to watch carefully as the meat at this stage easily burns “To make dressing remove chickens to platter put a teaspoonful or more of flour in the grease left In the steamer and stir smooth off the fire Return to stove let it brown a bit then $tlr in enough cold milk or cream to make a smooth thick gravy Let it boll up once or twice Season highly with black and cayenne pepper” MIXTURE Chicken OF MANY MATERIALS Require Time But Are a Dainty Kromesklea for Preparation Real Take half a pound of cooked chicktwo ounces of cooked lean ham or tongue two ounces of cooked veal four preserved mushrooms half a cupful of white sauce one yolk of egg seasoning of salt pepper and paprika some slices of bacon and some frying batter Free the chicken from skin gristle and bone Chop the chicken ham veal and mushrooms Warm the sauce add all the other Ingredients except the bacon and batter- then spread on a plate to cool When cold shape into rolls and wrap each into a thin slice en How to Make the Home Look Bright of bacon Now dip each into the frying batand Cheerful for the ter coating thoroughly then drop Holidays Into smoking hot fat and fry to a In massing holly for use on the golden color Drain and serve hot Christmas table it repays one to wipe Brown Soup off the leaves with a cloth dipped in s Take the bones from a cold roast very little olive oil says the Housekeep er Tall candles should light the feast Sirloin or ribs of beef make the best Add a pound of and the holly leaves reflect the twink soup of this kind II fresh lean beef which should be cut-i- n ling lights in a beautiful manner rather small pieces and browned a chandelier hangs over the dining table a feature which will delight the in a saucepan with a little hot butter children is to have a nosegay of arti- Make a nice dark brown color withficial flowers suspended from the chan- out burning Add about two quarts of boiling delier to within a foot of the table by means of a red ribbon This bouquet water or more according to the soup required and the bones secured for should have the paper puff of the fashion and the bouquet itself stock Take two or three blades of mace will be found to be a shower bouquet one small noseegay for each person a few whole cloves a tablespoonful of in the depths of which Borne trifling whole black peppers and a few whole allspice and tie them in a piece ol gift is hidden add them with two Snowballs of cotton tightly wound cheesecloth and a turnip cut up small and with white ribbon also conceal gifts most attractively while the cheap but three or four onions sliced up fine Boll very slowly for a whole day pretty little Santa Claus candy boxes for sale at favor shops are effective Next morning skim off any fat strain upon the Christmas table and will reheat to boiling point and serve with hold quite a package or ol dainty pieces of toast course may be used to hold the bon Delicate Pudding bons for which they are intended Fo a luncheon or high tea during Christ Beat five eggs to' a froth add hall mas week a beautiful table may be the bulk of cream one spoonful alset by employing the use of green mond essence a bit of mace and sugar embroidered in white sufficient to sweeten' Sprinkle a teaA holly bell or a bunch of red carnaspoonful of cornstarch over the pudtions in a vase will touch ding stir It Into Ingredients and bake the center of the table to brilliancy the pudding In a pan of water It la and soft garlands of southern moss best served very cold To test It slip may lightly edge the linen runners the spoon handle into the center of the pudding When it “sets” or has a or dollies if they be used Instead The colonial glass candlesticks are Jellied the pudding la appearance still in favor and nothing is more at- done tractive in a country house With tall Rhubarb Wine green or red tapers a group of these candlesticks placed in a mass of holly Materials— Twelve pounds of rhuas a centerpiece is both appropriate barb crushed two gallons of water and beautiful eight pounds of granulated sugar A quaint little Christmas tree may Way of Preparing — Crush the rhube used as a centerpiece by procuring barb and place it in a large stone jar at the florist’s a little “pepper plant” cover it and let it stand In a cool which has lovely green leaves and red place for one week stir frequently berries Wound with glittering tinsel At the end of that time strain and and tied with candied fruits held in add the sugar Place the mixture In place with wee baby ribbons or the jar and let it stand until ferStrain into a keg hung with little favors of French jew- mentation ceases elry or articles of trifling worth the bung tightly and keep for nine Then bottle — National Food ol months little tree makes a centerpiece charm Magazine Hitherto Overlooked ' Ironing 8uggestfpn “Everybody keeps tellin’ us” comIt Is best to clean hot irons by rubplained Tommy Tucker “to buy our bing them over light brown or white Christmas presents early Why don’t paper Instead of newspaper as the Ink somebody start the fashion of eatin’ which is used in newspapers and magthe Christmas dinners early?” — Chi- azines when rubbed with hot irons cago Tribune rises In a sort of poisonous vapor Thoughtful Very Much of One Ella— I’m going to hang up my “Can’t anybody make the trump?” stockings on Christmas Inquired the eager euchre player Stella — What for? Then as all In turn replied: “I pass” “By special request of papa and the dealer ejaculated: “Well this la You know they believe in mamma what I call the real thing In passing Santa Claus”— Life ' jhowsl” 'HI ts |