1928-12-15 — Page 23

CHINA MAIL CHRISTMAS SUPPLEMENT, 1928.-

QUEENIE'S CHRISTMAS QUEST.

(Continued from Page 4) the world, but when the door had closed, the sounds of voices and gay laughter died away the most lonesome.

But this evening, she was all impatience for them to be gone. Was she not counting the momente till she could set out upon her great Christmas quest?

At lust she felt it was quite safe to slip out of bed and dress herself in almost -feverish haste. She stole downstairs, past the dining-room-given over to the maids for the night and through the library, which gave access to the conservatory. There was much less chance of being caught if she escaped that way than by the front door.

The conservatory opened almost directly on to the lawn. The straight road to the short drive led past the dining-room win dows, and so, for safety's sake, Queenie had to go along a short, rather dark shrubbery drive. But all her natural timidity was held firmly in check. Besides, she told herself, it would only be good fairies, hob-goblins, who would be hiding in the shrubbery so near Christmas-time.

Nevertheless, she drew a long breath of relief when she was safely out on the King's high road.

She had a good sense of direction. She had not to hesitate one moment as to which way to turn. And the loneliness of the road was an advantage rather than anything else. There was much less chance of some grown- up meeting and stopping her, and asking what a little girl was doing out alone on a dark, cold winter's night.

Miss Estelle the little one is seeking after. For all the difference it will make. I'll take her right up to the house myself."

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CHRISTMAS EVE IN THE GUTTER.

(Continued from Page 6.)

And when 'Queenie opened her eyes, some half-hour later, it was to find herself lying on a couch drawn close to a blazing

"You see that gutter-merchant over fire, rolled in soft blankets, while the cuddle- some lady of the overall-only she wore a there"-I indicated Billy, who was endeavour- lovely frock of some soft, shimmery material ing to disentangle himself from the strings to-night-was bending over her, with all the that united him to my tray-"I give him in pent-up mother-love of her nature shining in charge for being without a hawker's licence." her eyes.

"Where am I? has Santa Claus brought you to me after all? the child whispered, as she sat up, and put her arms round Betty's neck. "Oh, I remember! This is the pretty, expensive lady's room. You stay with her. I came-1 was so sure that Santa Claus had made a mistake last year, and so I came to see if you and I couldn't make it right. I'm quite sure he didn't send Daddy to the wrong house to look for my cuddlesome Mummie; but he did tell him the wrong name. You wouldn't have told Daddy to send me to the Aunties or get a governess, would you?"

•

While I lingered modestly in the back- ground, the policeman pounced upon Billy, The officer had been bored. He seemed glad He pounced upon of this slight distraction. Billy with almost unprofessional zest.

He laughed sardonically at Billy's cock- and-bull story about the ruffian who had de- camped with his ten shillings.

The customary crowd collected to feast

I' its eyes and ears. Billy lost his temper. regret to say he called the constable "a damn fool." The constable requested him to come along of him. Billy's language grew worse. The constable remarked that that would be another ten days.

"No! Oh, no Betty's grip tightened. "But you see, Queenie, darling, Daddy was On the outskirts of the delighted crowd looking for more than a cuddlesome Mummie I gloated for some time upon this gratifying for you. And I'm not clever or brilliant scene. Then I stepped forward and spoke a Simul- enough. Besides, he thinks that Jimmy was few words in the officer's ear. my hero, when Jimmy and I were just pals.taneously an unassuming monetary transac Ever since I was a tiny girl, not much bigger tion occurred. With that tact and good' than you, your Daddy was my real hero.humour so characteristic of the Force,..he But, you see-Oh, Queenie, you are too accepted my explanation and my money. I young to understand, but you must never, pressed my two remaining Chinamen into his never, never say to your Daddy that I arms. "A Christmas present for the twins," And you see, Queenie, it's because I care so I said: much that I-I couldn't come to be your On our way to Charing Cross I gave Mummie, even if Daddy should ask me, be- Billy Baker a detailed account of my success- As he listened his annoyance cause--Oh, I must have all or nothing, ful" day. childie, and so-and so”

evaporated. When I had finished he said, thoughtfully, "Kiddington's pound is quite fair, of course; but my ten shillings was rob- hory. You're going to give it back to me?"

Of a sudden her iron self-control gave It began to snow, softly, lightly at first, way. She began to sob-great, tearless sobs but the wind rose suddenly and drove the-while Queenie wept in fairly understanding ever-thickening flakes against her face, so sympathy. But that lasted only for a mo- that, ere long, she was struggling rather ment. The door had opened, unnoticed by blindly on. Several cars and taxis passed either woman or child. John Haldane had her; most going townwards, though a few come post-haste in answer to a telephone were making for country houses where summons-sent by a maid because Betty had Christmas revels were being held, or bearing not dared to ring him up herself! travellers home. But every driver was too in- tent on the perils of the road itself to cast a glance to the narrow side path and the heroic little figure staggering along.

Once or twice she had to halt and lean against a wall for support while she gather- ed her breath. But always before her eyes was the vision of the sweet face of the cuddlesome lady in the overall who would make all right once she reached her.

He seemed to take but two.great strides forward. He was on his knees, his arms around Queenie and Betty both.

"Betty! Betty! Oh, what a blind ass I have been! It has been you all the time, and I had begun to suspect it, only I never dreamt that you cared. I'm asking all, Betty, und offering all-both for Queenie and my- self. Shall we send a wireless message to Santa Claus that the mistake has been made right?"

"Very well," I returned blithely. "Here you are! I can afford it! Now, what about my ten pounds?"

Billy put away the note. "Your ten pounds?" he said. "But you owe me ten pounds. You've lost your bet, you know!?!

"Lost my bet!" I exclaimed. "What on earth do you mean?"

"Didn't you tell me," said Billy, "that you had to sell three more toys to make the money come right?"

I gazed at him blankly.

"Well, you sold only one, didn't you?” · Billy went on, "and then "I turned up. And you were so darned busy making a fool of me that you forgot you were still a shilling

And at last she came to the great gates of the big house she sought. They were And slowly Betty raised her head, till her short." O grin spread itself all over Billy's "It was kind of you to, think of the closed. But there was a little side gate, eyes, shining like stars through the tears, face. which she managed to push open, and, even could give the answer which her lips could twins,, old man, but rather an expensive as she did so, & big car came swiftly down not utter, because her heart was too full for present, what?" the drive. A woman hurried out from the words.

lodge, stumbled against the child, and knock- Even, as their lips met in the long be-

.ed her downi,

It'

"

"To our landlord," she replied.

t "I thought, perhaps, you were writing to Santa Claus," he observed.

trothal kiss,, the door opened once again, "Let me see," Wife murmured, scrib- "What in all the world Oh, my good-and-Estelle Bradshaw-who had really come bling rapidly. "I want the sitting-room ness! It's a wee lass, and soaked to the skin home with the intention of recapturing John papered, and I must have new-electric shades -a gentleman's child, too! Jackson!"-she Haldane-stood upon the threshold with for it. The dining-room is very shabby, too. raised her voice in warning to the chauffeur amazement, anger, dismay, chasing each I must have that papered and another carpet. "just wait a minute. Here's queer doings, other across her face. But not one of the The bathroom needs new tiling, and I'd like

three paid the slightest heed to her. With a new kitchen range and a refrigerator."

"To whom are you writing, dear?" ask- "I daren't!" said Jackson, getting down, out a word, she turned and left the room. however. "I'm late as it ia. Sure, the London There was sufficient nobility in the spoilted Hubby, looking up from his newspaper. train is pretty certain to be late, but if it is darling of fortune not to permit of her cast- not, and Miss Estelle has to wait one seconding a shadow upon Betty's perfect hour. for me I say, it is Mr. Haldane's kiddy! Take her into your house, Mrs. When another Christmas came round

"I contend," said Mr. Snooks at the Warden, and send up for Miss Betty., She Santa Claus excelled himself in making up for was going to the station with me, but she his first mistake. Queenie's letter had asked Christmas dinner table, that woman is no- had some things to finish before Miss Estelle for a baby brother, but, at the cuddlesome thing, if not inconsistent. How often have got back. I tell you, Haldane didn't know Mummie's suggestion, she had added, "But we heard women declare that they will never what he was about when he sought Miss if baby boys are too expensive this year, marry, and yet they marry often the first Estelle instead of—”.

or out of stock, just send a baby sister." man who proposes to them. You know how "Get off with you!" said Mrs. Warden. And warm-hearted, generous Santa sent it was with you, dear, don't you? I heard "My Jenny knows the wee lass's nurse. She's both! So Queenie's cup of happiness, to say you say more than once that you wouldn't at a party there to-night. I can put two and nothing of Daddy's and Mummie's, was full marry the best man alive." two together as well as most folks. It isn't to the brink.

N

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Mrs. Snooks (sharply); "And I didn't.”

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