You wont hear me to-night. That as as sure as your
name is Paul."
And it was just as The Story said. There was no use in the boy's
crying, for off went The Story, and it was _not_ told that night; but
it is my private opinion that the boy did go to sleep after all.
POLLY: A BEFORE-CHRISTMAS STORY.
BY HOPE LEDYARD.
[Illustration]
"Santa Claus!" exclaimed Ned, half mockingly.
"Yes," insisted Mamie, "what's he going to bring you, Ned?"
"I don't know, and I don't care much," he answered, "for there isn't
any Santa Claus."
"Why, Ned!" cried Mamie, in astonishment. "Even my big brother Harry
believes in Santa Claus. He's coming home from school to-night, and
we're going to hang up our stockings."
"Pshaw!" said Ned, "I must go home. Good-bye."
Merry little Mamie stood in amazement, and then ran in-doors to her
mother with her perplexity.
"Why, mother!" she cried, "Ned Huntley said there wasn't any Santa
Claus--and he was real cross about it, too."
"Well, Mamie," said her mother, "I wouldn't take any notice of Ned's
being cross about Christmas-time.
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