How It Happened

n! Mr

s making effort to run, but to run and still hold the h

d once I couldn't see you. Here he is, Father." She took Van Landing's hand and laid it in her father's. "He

In the circle of light caused by the electric lamp near which they stood the blind man's face could be seen distinc

strange quality for so shabbily clothed a body, and in the eyes that saw not, and which were lifted to Van Landi

all we can be-just friends. And he hasn't any. I mean anybody to make Christmas for. He said so himself

fering and sorrow had made deep impress, but in which was neither bitterness nor complaint, s

on with me. I-" He hesitated. His name would mean nothing to the man before him. Their worlds were very different worlds. It was possible, however, that this gentle, shrinking creature, with a face so spiritual

nds, spending foolish sums of money on costly dinners, and quite suddenly he had quit. As long as he entertained he was entertained in return, and for some time after he stopped he still received invitations of many sorts, but in cynical realization of the unsatisfactoriness of his manner of life he had given it up, and in its place had come nothing to answer the hunger of his heart for comradeship and human cheer. His opinion of life had be

to make Christmas for, and if you don't mind I wish you would let me go with you to the shops to-night. I don't k

the stockings of the legs I know if I had the money to buy with. There's Mrs. McTarrens's four, and the six Blickers, and the ashman's eight, and the Roysters, and little Sallie Simcoe, and old Mr. Jenkinson, and Miss Becky

eyes were again upturned,

but you need not fear. My name

tell me your class, and your clothes that you have money. Why-oh, why do you want to go with us?" Quickly his right hand drew his child toward him, and in terror he press

e sudden fear in the man's face, then over his ow

is mouth grew dry. "Have

ne to the other, could not understand, and her hands, pressed close to he

. It was just that I know little

it if you let him go!" Carmencita held the sleeve of Van Landing's coat with a sturdy clutch. "He isn't a damanarkist. I can tell

said. "I mean anybody

little girl like me? Hav

wife." Van L

She hasn't anybody, either, now,

ned so sharply that the chi

o make Christmas for. She's living right now with Mother McNeil, who isn't really anybody's mother, but just everybody's. But she don't live there all the t

ief he had dropped; then he stepped back and out of the circle of light in which he had been standing. For a moment he did not spe

he said, and the dryness of his throat made

irst one foot and then the other was stamped for purpose of warmth. "The damanarkist says God made her, but

in his pockets to hide the twitching of his fingers. "A long time ago she was t

und and round. "We can show him where she lives." She stopped. "No, we can't. She told me I must never do that. I mustn't send any one to her, but I could tell her o

telling to this unknown child the most personal of matters. Nothing mattered but that per

her father's direction-"and then we can come back and have some toast and tea; and then I'll send for Miss Barbour to come quick, as I need her awful, and when she comes in you can say: 'Oh, my lost and loved one, he

ill not take her where she wo

finally yielded, and a few minutes later Van Landing and his new acquaintances were on a down-town car, bound

hile he tried to adjust himself to a realization that made all thought but a chaotic mixture of hope and doubt, of turbulent fear and determined pu