Show I arm tightened The clinging clutched closer "You couldn’t hurt him! You could not do It in this place where the good years of your life were passed You know every foot of this ground—every foot of It has a happy association in that You’ve played barn of Harding’s and gone to Bleep t In the Can you go there and take money from him?” The man's hand flew out 'It’s not his money— I wouldn’t rob him It’s money that ought to be mine— it belongs to Sidney Maxwell my cousin and It’s Maxwell money — family money They make millions a year — I’m one of them and I've nothing — worse I ought to be as rich than nothing as he — it’s a drop In the bucket to what I ought to have” “Whose fault Is It that you haven’t it?” the insistent whisper came “You threw away your chance” “I know it— I was a fool — I couldn’t be controlled But I was young five years ago If my father had lived have turned me my uncle wouldn’t out It was Sidney who was down on me — reliable satisfactory Sidney' who never had a temptation— never made a mistake—never threw away his birthright for a mess of pottage He’s gone from success to success without an effort” The man groaned “I’m his “I hate him!” he muttered flesh and blood and he never throws a thought to me We had our Christmas trees together and played with our rocking-horseon the rug before He was kind as a big broththe fire er to me then But now the ends of the earth are no farther apart than he and I — Carl Maxwell my chances all gone a failure a pauper” He “This night a thief Ah!” shuddered The syllable snapped sharply and he threw out his powerful arms “No my chances are not all gone — there’s one left” He struck his breast with his hand where the letter lay inside “My one chance of beginning new is this night I'll get that money which I’ll ought to be mine and be off for China and take up Bill Bacon’s offer and be an honest man by Heaven a successful one this time! I’ve got It in me and I’ve learned my lesson My God! I’ve learned my lesion I’ll work hard and earn my life and I’ll send back this three thousand to Sidney Maxwell with my first sa' I will Jove — It’s a straight vings jbent ghost-bo- '4jW is ' dp Raymona ndfews ft 9m fqiyrifAt ffmrr V W "f'V'ff' Cm (CONTINUED) Lying awake the boy could not bear to think that the dear horse and cow stood hungry in the barn on their last night of life how he stole into the kitchen and found the coarse bread and the milk that were saved for his own breakfast and carried them out to the stable how as he came to the door he heard strange hoarse voices speaking low and listened and found that it was Friedel and Minna talking how then he remembered together that once a year at midnight on Christmas Eve dumb beasts may find speech in memory of the night when iay among beasts in the the manger how little Hans listened to the thin old horse and the hungry cow old and heard them grieving for the poverty of their master and mistress and heard them speak of the secret which if the beasts might have speech to tell it would make everything right how HanB went in boldly then and gave the animals his breakfast and asked them to tell him the secret how they told him in unused rusty voices that beneath the empty ' stall of the stable was a treasure of gold burled a thousand years before roy the Romans which would make his mother and father richer than they could dream and how just then the bells of the distant village rang for Christmas morning and the poor beaBts were dumb again and Hans went back to his bed and waited for daylight to tell his father and mother who dug for the treasure and found it and were happy with the horse and cow and rich ever fetter The story ended and the children were Quiet as if listening thrilled to those stammering hoarse tones of the good brutes in the chilly stable “Now chickens you must go to your roosts” the mother broke their dream and her words ended in a sigh “Father! It’s too bad to have him left out of Christmas Eve isn’t it?” “Yes it is” agreed Benny sturdily "Nobody can say ‘Peaceful Was the too father It’s ’cept Night’ he had to go bad for father to the funeral and being Christmas Eve Benny went 'unreproved for the description of his A Shipi “Father’ll be home before morning won’t he?" asked the girl and went You said some on “Oh I remember time in the night but we can’t tell when ’cause the trains get late Well I hope he’ll be here In the morning when we wake up' It wouldn’t be Christmas without father would It mother?” “I can’t bear to have him out so late” the little woman said and her tones were troubled She went on as If thinking aloud — a way she had with her big babies “Father isn’t well — he ought to go south — I wish he could go” and Benny answered in tones: 6trong baby We have “Oh he can’t go mother not got money enough — you said we hadn’t" “No dear we haven’t" she sighed and the girl shook her mane of hair back thoughtfully “I wish I could find a lot of money like Hans for father” she said The fascination of the firelight as the children lay in their beds their mother gone held the drowsy eyes open The girl the more aggressive the more imaginative of the two went back with a thought working its way In her mind to the story which had a hold on both the story of how two dumb brutes may talk once a year on Christmas Eve “Do you believe it’s true Benny?” “Mother she consulted her brother didn’t say it wasn’t you know” “Then it’s true and I believe it’s true” said Benny stoutly “I’m glad they can I know Nigger would enjoy a talking He looks like he wanted to talk when he squeals and he squeals I heard him say words sometimes corn bread’ one day” Alice lifted her brown head from the pillow and leaned on one elbow and stared into the fire “Nigger’B out In the barn" she reflected “Father took Mr Jarvis’ horse because NigBenny — " she ger’s foot was lame began excitedly and stopped Benny gave an enormous yawn and head turned ' his heavy yellow "Wbu-ut?he Inquired "Don’t go to sleep Benny — listen!” the girl begged "I’ve got an idea — Why can’t something lovely really — it’s we go to the stable Christmas Eve— and listen to Nigger talking like Hans listened to Friedel and Minna? And maybe he’ll know about some treasure and we could get lots of money and give it to father to go south with Mother would be glad” The boy’s sleepy eyes opened and “Wouldn’t it be gazed at her naughty?” As happened once before In a garden "the woman tempted him” Benny was swept out on the tide of his sister’s adventurous spirit and while the fire steamed and purred an undertone they made their plans Very nearly were the plans shipwrecked by Nature however for as they waited till the night should be older the clock ticked the fire sang a lullaby and the children fell asleep But at eleven a log dropped noisily the light of it blazed the up and the adventurer-ln-chledeed to be done in her veins awakto ened It needed all her energy persuade the boy numb with sleep that sleep was not the one possibility in a midnight world But there was a persistent spirit In her and In ten minutes two muffled little figures crept through the shadowy house and out over the white lawn misty with snow and up the slope to the door of the stable There were footsteps In the white carpet on the ground but the big flakes had blurred them the An hour bechildren did not notice fore a man had hurried along the road from town a powerful man walking fast As he walked he spoke to himself in a low tone “The note about Pat O’Hara’s broken leg ought to take him three miles out of his way — it ought to delay him "He’s Talkin’— Nigger’s an hour Lucky I remembered where the horse and trap would be kept” He passed a stream tinkling in the stillness under its roof of ice and snow He halted and stared down “I took my first trout in that hole” he murmured and swung on But the ghost of a boy had caught his arm and clung to him and went He could with him down the road not shake the ghost-boloose “Dr Harding took you home to lunch that day” the boy whispered “and the trout was cooked and they made an event of it” “Well what of that?” 'the man answered the memory aloud “I’m not going to hurt Dr Harding am I?” “He won’t give up what he has set himself to guard” The big fellow s'poke again grimly: “He’ll have to” The muscles of his Talkin’!” road— it’s a chance in a million for a man at the last gasp I’d be a cowardly fool not to take it — and after all I’m Just borrowing — not stealing I’ll send it back sure as fate” The sophistry which has soothed many consciences was good enough one for this desperate Something which felt like the unused sensation of a hope sent him springtwo over the railfrom the miles ing road town to Fairfield and through dim lanes to parsonage He found his way readily down the shadowy drive to the stable and the door left unlocked for the master opened at a touch The horse stamped in his stall In the dark and Maxwell went to him and spoke quietly and he was still Therfe was an empty stall next where would be put the other horse arriving with Dr Harding and here T the man stowed himself When the clergyman led the animal to the opening then while his hands were busy would be the time He sat drawn together In the thick straw waiting Nigger in the stall close by stamped uneasily and put his black nose through the opening above and sniffed and blew He could see the horse’s eyes gleaming in the dark ness and feel his warm breath So settled was his mind on the deed to come that he dropped into a sleep comfortably wrapped in the straw Yet his nerves were alert and he Bat up quickly on guard at a light sound from the outside What was it? Even road it allowing for the waB not the sound of wheels— and while he wondered the side door of the building which faced him as he sat hidden opened A late moon had risen making the landscape outside as clear as day and against the white ground he saw astonished the figures of two children sharply silhouetted MAKING ONE OF THE POINTS GOOD SOUP IMPORTANT COOKERY MOST IN Staple Food Over Which Too Much Care Cannot Be Extended-Pro- per Preparation of Stock —Consomme and Puree How to Make 8tock— This is the foundation of all meat soups and every housekeeper and cook should know how to make it There are two kinds of stock white and hrown White Btock is made of chicken and veal either together or separately brown stock of other meats in combination or alone Chicken and veal may be added to other meats for orown stocks For ordinary soup a kettleful of meats and bones will make good The kettle stock Bhould have a steamtight top After covering the meats and bones with water let them stand for half an hour then put the kettle on the back of the stove and let it simmer When the stock has been simmering for half an hour stir in the seasoning salt white a seed The big girl held the boy by the or a pepper root pinch of celery The stock should hand as they peered in The man un not celery be skimmed until it has cooled off for this prepared complication when a layer of fat cakes on top and watched them troubled uncertain If be removed without trouble and immediately the boy spoke in a may the weather is cold enough the stock full sweet voice will jell as it cooIb The stock should “He’s not talkin’ Alice” the boy be allowed to boll gently until the said “Let’s go back— I’d rather go meat is reduced to shreds Strain it to bed” twice into a bowl once through a But the girl stepped forward warily strainer and once through muslin and poised yet determined and drew her stand the bowl where the stock will brother “Maybe he doesn’t know it’s cool us” she said "I don’t want to go This jellied stock forms the founds back till I see” She dropped the boy’s tlon for most soups and sauces and hand and was at the door of the every good cook should keep a bowl she of it in her refrigerator "Nigger” whispered “Nigand Consomme — Trim the bone of a ger” and the horse whinnied turned his head toward her shin of beef and put it into a soqp kettwo with two scraped carrotsi tle had followed stumbling The boy across the floor a few “Maybe he doesn’t peeled onions three leeks know it’s Christmas" he suggested stalks of celery and a small b finch of “Let’s sing a carol so he’ll rememparsley roots all chopped finely Add six cloves a teaspoonful of pepperber" The man in the stall listened In a corns a bay leaf and if it Is to be low tone because it was a mysterious consomme for a special oqfcasion it business they were on the two sang: may be beautifully cleared Jny adding the whites and shells of thee or four Silent night hallowing dawn eggs Over this pour twp quarts of Far and wide breaks the morn Breaks the day when the Saviour of men stock and a quart of wafer Let simBringing pardon and healing again mer over a moderate fre for several Holy harmless and undefiled— Cometh a hours Strain as abofe directed let little child cool and remove the Wayer of fat "Pardon and healing!" When straining strain mrst through a They sang it and they were silent colander Anything ffiner would be waiting Nigger sniffed softly then choked up by the egg shells etc A whinnied little sherry may be jadded to this if desired Benny’s slow speech began Puree of Rice — Cut1 a pound and a half of loin of veal into small pieces I had a little 'pony His name was Dapple Gray and put in a double boiler with two I lent him to a lady— quarts of milk and a capful of thorHe halted listening “I thought oughly washed rice a smaJl onion and it’s pepper and salt to taste1 Isimmer on maybe he’d like that because about a horse I thought it would in- the back of the stove until! the rice is terest him” Benny explained and done and the meat cooks'Jto shreds Strain through a fine sieve Vmd return proceeded as if by force of inertia: to the saucepan When it boils up Goosey goosey gander Whither do you wander again move to one side and tir in the yolks of two eggs that have "'been preAlice interrupted “That hasn’t got a viously beaten up with thfe juice of half a lemon and strained 'Turn into single thing to do with Christmas a hot tureen and serve with 'sippets of Benny” “But it’s on the next page” Benny toast argued stolidly Alice was firm “It isn’t the right Spatchcock kind of poetry — It ought to be sort of All men like this so you can’t be churchy and religious because Nig- far wrong Required:' A fowl salt ger’s a clergyman’s horse and it’s and pepper a teaspoonful of chopped Christmas Eve” parsley half a teaspoonful of chopped “Maybe he’s afraid" 'she said in a herbs a little butter browned crumbs disappointed tone yet still hopeful Cut the fowl straight down through “Benny say the verse about ’Fear not’ the backbone but not through the to him — that might make him not be breast Season it well inside and out afraid” with saM and pepper chopped parsley as onion ani herls The unseen audience listened Benny persuadlngly as man to man Open the fowl out quite flat and recited a hymn to Nigger keep it in place with a skewer Brush ‘“Fear not’—’’ it over with warmed butter and grill it over or before a clear fire until urged Benny — it is half cooked Then cover It with “Fear not" said He for mighty dread browned crumbs and finish cooking Had seized their troubled mind “Glad tidings of great Joy bring it It will take about twenty minutes To you and all mankind” Remove the skewer and serve the 'The bird very hot accompanied by some “Glad tidings of great joy!" young man in the straw sat quiet and nice sauce listened Whatever encouragement for beasts Rice Cooked with Milk might be in a Christmas hymn Benny In the place of water use milk letUnmeant to extend it to Nigger it come to a boil before adding ting hurried with the sleepy note of a the rice Rice cooked in this way is bird going to roost his piping voice much richer and better Rice is done plodded on telling a tale which he did when you can cut the grain easily not doubt With the full angel song but for many uses it should easily he ended: crush All glory be to God on high And on the earth be peace henceforth from men Begin and never cease Heaven te “Peace ! There was a stir in the empty stall but the children did not hear it From came a mile away down the road faintly a sound of hoof beats and Nigger blew out an agitated breath It was andf whinnied again' gently very quiet Alice and Benny standing patient thrilled suddenly as a strange hoarse voice issued from the darkness “Merry Christmas children!” the voice said The girl clutched the boy’s shoulder “He’s talkin’ — Nigger’s talkin’" Benny announced Interested but (TO BE CONTINUED) The Home as a Kingdom Think of your house as a kingdom and set about to make it more livable and a place of Joy The more thought you give it the more will be your interest An Original Idea The best way I have found to remove grease from the top of a cup of aeef tea mutton or chicken broth is to quickly plunge a bit of ice into it The grease adheres and the Ice does not cool the broth Corn 8alad sized cabbage One medium one dozen ears corn five red peppers one quart vinegar three tablespoonfuls of ground mustard one tablespoonful of salt one tablespoonful of celery seed one cupful sugar boil and seal i |