Santa Claus's Partner

t above the stock-indicator. He had been so absorbed that he had quite forgotten that he had told the clerks to wait for him. He had had no i

head, above which the grizzled hair was almost gone; mild, blue eyes which beamed through black-rimmed glasses; a pleasant mouth which a drooping, colorless moustache only partly concealed, and a well-formed but slightly retreating chin. His figure was in

was so engaged getting my book straight for you, and writing-a few cheque

ly a remnant of his old time relation to Mr. Clark when he, yet a young man, first knew him, and partly a reco

Mr. Livingstone," sai

the desk and was unconsciously

se mailed or sent

said Livingstone. "And

e clerk in explanation, but stopped as Livingstone c

ued Livingstone, "and they are in excellen

's face b

said he, heartily.

e of pallid figures which suddenly flashed before his eyes. "And I have got everything straight for you this year;

nce fell and the words were as near

evening and to-morrow evening-Why not this

e speaker broke off. "I'll be there,

d Livingst

e had intended to do a kind thing by

pay you," he

an error. A shocked expression came

urning quickly, withdrew, leaving Livingstone feeling very blank and then, somewhat angry. He was an

flected. "What is the use of being consid

s ago, when he had not a cent in the world, and now he was getting fifteen hundred dollars a

ecame so strong, he could stand it no long

vingstone's temper. He would have liked to discharge the boy on the spot. How often had he ever called on them to wait? He knew men who required their clerks to wait always until they t

th asking somewhat shar

erk, sulkily. He picked up his hat and said good-

wever, a few moments afterwards Clark appeared Livingstone had cooled down. Why should he expect gratitude? He did

knock at the outer door, and, on

could see the door reflected in

that Livingstone saw first, as she poked it in and peeped around. Then, as Mr. Clark sat with his back to the door and she saw that no one else was present, the visitor inserted her whole body and, closing the door softly, with her eyes dancing and her

o it is?"

d hear them thro

," hazarded

o-

n Vic

-o-

f Scots?-I kno

t guessing-It isn't

Oh! I know-

body 'at know

L-m

not sure that he

and with a sudden stiffening a

new now whose

right this time, yo

t re

will bring you a w

will be too busy with some

one hand from Clark's eyes and clapped it over her mouth-but next se

cks, Santa Claus's Partner-the sweetest little k

ad to the neck and the little girl, with her sunny head canted to one side

uld still catch fragments of what they said. Clark spoke too low to be heard; but now and t

ne of disappointment, replying to

u must come-

talked to her l

l my money just to have you go with me. And

he led the child to the door, still talking to her soothingly, and

d not want to meet Clark just then. He was not in a

her little, smeared face with her handkerchief, and had evidently been crying. Livingstone, as

her family, and she looking as if she could tear him to