Show service T D AVIE stood at the camp window and looked out over the great frozen lake do you think hell come right across the ice he mother ans answered from the kitchen oh santa claus why perhaps darling but not this morning funny boy not before evening such unquestioning five year old f faith and she must w watch atch its betrayal because there 9 going to be any presents there any money suddenly davie scream screamed ed with excitement cit ement and his mother went running to look out too why its a deer davie reindeer said davie without any question at all one of santas you think maybe the sleigh tipped over and all the presents spilled I 1 that too bad they watched the graceful creature until it disappeared into the woods on the other side then mother returned to her babii baking ng and davie followed its a shame for it to happen just the day before christmas when i there wont be time to make aidy more how disappointed all the children in the world will bel be but you JI IF I 1 two small blobs appeared far out against the snow wont mind so much will you davie darling because know what happened just think you saw the deer and he beautiful yes davie drew a long sigh of rapturous memory he fell silent then may I 1 go out and play the eleven sun was warm and she bundled him out suddenly it was one and time for lunch and she had heard no sound from davie for an hour no answer when she called from the door davie in the yard of course he be had gone to find the sleigh the tipped over sleigh and the presents how could she have failed to consider the wa way y a childs mind would work she dared not leave the baby who had a slight cold nor start out with her on a search which might last for hours nothing to do then but wait for jock to come in it was three before a sm small all blob appeared far out against the snow two small blobs in fact she waited sobbing with relief 1 I find santa claus sleigh mama he explained as soon as he could speak for her kisses but I 1 found his house she lives there and that was one of his reindeer eer the tracks went right into the yard santa claus was gone there was just a man asleep in the kitchen I 1 think hes e s one of the toy makers no that was ned said goldilocks your name dear phillie As the afternoon wore on something familiar about the contour of the little face kept tickling her memory until realization struck golden curls and a blue zipper suit phillie ned ned cozetti of course this was the bentley child phyllis bentley thanksgiving day and given up for dead jock bending to unlace his snowshoes was met by a whirlwind bundled to its ears in shawls and surrounded by three miniature whirl winds similarly wrapped crank up the car right away weve got to get into town before the telegraph office clones closes do you know who this child is the whirlwind gave a bounce and grasped his arm phyllis bentley all and her mother thinks ashes dead and this is christmas eve oh hurry davie was gone three hours today and I 1 know just how she must feel and if we get hauled up for driving without a license therell be ten thousand dollars to pay the fine |