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ECEMBER ll? 193.2 r I

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THE qigkgrgrrlzrowu GQARDIAN -

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j MASQUERADE;

A Message of Peace A Little Christ Child

The Christmas

Christmas at

P ' - (conflnued "om page 6) Christmas Day possesses some- There was cheer at the inn, with , F Message m b“ "w thing more than a mere earthly slg- windows alight, _—__ Royal Windso ‘i vviw “w” ° ' p‘ "1 ‘° “mm” 1° l" like l my o! sim- But no room to offer a child that BrMei-r Howard, author of "wihdi Ski " to ~ _- < ' who w", beguiling Likmove away. plflng “mum: "om the l“ m nwm'_ v 8r cl. e .. etc. The Llclitlliisttl-BNS near the birth of I ..__

HI should like to anger fnld,wlnwr‘ For u Jews Ohm‘, _ Th moon- 1 bu’ m ‘ h (Continued from psge 6) , question!’ according to Christian theology, Th’ mu’ °'““"°h“d' ‘° "m"? It W" Ohristmls Eve-s siiil. cold "No." said Josh wlstfully, but her 1m, s ‘ ' ° l‘ i? t i‘ 1t was the Queen's lest Christ-

Tlie man at the harmonium rals- came down from Heaven. so the and 5mm: evenllilr-ond a few feathery flakeg heart was saying that any old place T] C‘ '_ t n _ _ mas at Windsor. She spent the fol- ed his hand-s 19°11! i/henlteyboard. "I anniversary o1 m, birthday inspires They made Him acouch in the cow's of snow were falling through tho would do admirably, providing that 121,111‘ Us mas be 5 “om hm to lowing Christmas a‘ 05mm“ “m! am at your servicersir. rough stall. . “m, m5 Aubrey was Wm‘ her’ A“ m“ came passed away shortly afterwards.

An aristocratic looking man. with c moustache and small imperial and wcar rig a monocle, stepped to the mint of the crowd. "I have no ivish to be aspoil-sporii." he said, with a. faint smile, "but it doesn't sefln i0 nic to be playing the game for an opera singer to take the brclld out of the mouth of the poo: stlect musician. May I nquirc whether you are doing this sort of thing for a wager?"

The masked singer rose to his feet and [upped nervously w'th it's fing- ers ('1; the lid of the hiirmonlum. "No. sir," he replied, "I can assure you that I am not singing in the street for a wager. As a matter of cold, hard fact, I III! doing it to cam my livlng."

"1 don't understand," said the bcrirded stranger, with a puzzled look. "You have ju.st given a. most artistic performance. There is evid- ently nothing wrong with your voice." . .

"It is very kind of you to say so. sir." The singer bowed, and looked round the gaping crowd. “I have been told by those who should know that my vocal abilities are at least m1 h par with those of solne of the iicst known foreign operatic s ngers. Wllj‘, then, am I not singing ln the llldlflg roles at Covent Garden, you plliy 35k?" He lelint forward im- prclrslvely. "Because I om an Elig- llzlllllfln, and bear on English name! This why opera-goers will not pay to hear me sing." With a shrug of the shoulders he sat down again.

Taking a. note-case from his pocket, the bearded man extracted ,1 ten-shill ng note, marched across the road and, in full view of the rrolvd, thrust it into the velvet bag. "May you have the luck you de- 5Pi'\'0," lic sad loudly. "You desire i0 remain anonymous? So be ltl" Raising his hand in a semi-military salute, lic strode oiI at a. brisk pace. '

Bcforc the onlookers had recover- cd from their astoli shmelit, a girl- plainly but neatly dressed-walked over to the hitrmonlhm and opened her purse. Taking out a holfcrown. she dropped it into the bag and in clear tones thanked the $111861‘ I01‘ the great pleasure he had given her.

Thus encouraged, the audience began to show its appreciation in no uncertain manner; and a con- tinuous, jlngling Indicated a. rapid ii ling of the velvet bug. When at last the ‘jligling ceased and the n-oi-a had melted aWilY. the singer rose to his feet and began to pack up his belongings. He had just tied up the mouth of the velvet bag. ivhcn lic felt a smart tap 0n the i-liouldcr.

Turning quickly he found I strongly-built, hatchet faced man rcgzirdln ghlm stemly. Somewhat perturbed. hc raised h's eyebrows lllqiiirlligly.

The stranger opened liis ‘jacket niid pointed to a. badge fastened inside. "You ase this? I am a de- tOCllVC."

"A detective?" muttered the sing- er, turning pale. "What d0 Y0" W3!" until ma?"

"I have been watching you for sonic time,“ replied the man. 85m‘ ly. "and I suspect a fraud on the

ptilillc. You w ll have l0 E0 l0 ‘h?

elation with me. Hand over that bog. and pick up your gear." . The singer hesitated. "If you in‘ sst, I suppose I shall have to g0 ivlth you, although I have com- mitted no crime-but I see no reus- on for handing over the monfilfi"

"Look here!" said the hatchet- faced mnn, impatiently, "I can't virtue any tmc with you. Give me that bag." He fingered a 1101100 Ihiatle significantly. "If you'd sooner be taken through the streets by r uniformed policeman, say so!"

This settled the matter; and the singer hande dover the money with- out further argument. Hoisting the iiai-llionlum to his shoulder, and picking up the camp-stool, he Si!" llfled his readiness to follow the representative of the law.

A fcw minutes later, in a quiet street. the plain cfothes man stop- ped. "I have a few inquiries to make over the way," he said gfllmY- "Can I trust you not to move from this spot until I return? I sharft be long."

"Walt a minute!" demurrcd the

men with the thought of their re- latlon to the Heaven which is His home. They feel instinctively that they are sons of Heaven as well as sens o! earth: they lift their eyes, as it were, in response to the angelic "19588865 Ind m0! go about their daily work with an enhanced sense 0f their spiritual citizenship. They know that the present world 15 mi; all, but la only the vestibule o: 3, better and brighter world. Yet it Ls upon the faith in that better and brighter world that the strength, the comfort, and the moral dignity, and the immortal destiny of hu. man nature depend. \

8111891‘. "I'm not satisfied that you have iliiy right to hold my money. How do I know-J’

"You needn't worry about that. It'll be quite safe wth me, Don't move from here, or 1t will so hard with you!" The hatchet-faced mgn turned to cross the road, and stop- Ped short with s. stifled exclama- tion. A girl was barring his, way and smiling sarcastically.

"You have in your possession a velvet bag containing money which doesn't beiong to you, I thnk?" she said, quietly. “You'll be good enough to return lt the right ovlmer at once. At oncc-do you hear?"

"Wh-What d'ye mean?" smatter- ecl the man.

“Just what I say!" retorted the girl. "It's a serious crime to pose as a polce ofllcer and attempt to black- mail people—you know that as well as I do. You've sunk pretty low, haven't you?"

The masked singer. who had been listening with open-mouthed astori~ lshment, suddenly lowered the liar- monum to the ground and conch- ed his fists.

"I don't know how you came to be here," hissed the sol-distant detec-

- tive, with an oath, “but it'll pay you

t0 mind your own business!" He pushed the girl roughly on one slde— to find himself gripped tightly by the collar and jerked backwards.

“Not so fast!" cried the singer. "Hand over that bag, or I'll give you in charge."

"Don't be a fool!" blustcred the impostel", trying in vain to free him- self, “do you thnk I didn't recog- nize you?" He laughed sneeringly. "George Darrell, the picrrot, in some way removed from an operntlc tenor! A liicc little goliic you and your fronds ‘Have been playing, upon my word! I accmc you of ob- taining money under false pretenc- es. Now give inc in charge!"

"I'll take you at your word," re- joliied Darrell. "It may bc news to you that I have sung at Covent Garden lnore than once. I have nothing to fear." He addressed the girl. “If I twst his arms behind his back, miss, do you think you coufd take tho whistle from his waistcoat pocket and blow it hard?"

"No need to do that,‘ rad the girl. “There's a policeman passing the top of the street now. I'll go and fetch him."

"Here-mold hard!" cried the black mailer, in a scared voice. "Take the money and—and be hanged-both of you! Let me go!"

Darrell seized the bag; and, sud- denly -_ralsng his knee, propelled

‘ the rogue half way across the roiid.

The girl laughed. "I don't think he'll trouble you again, Mr. Darrell. Why-he's out of sight already. And now I suppose I had better intro- duce myself. I'm Hope Deane, the sketch writer."

“By Jovel" ejaculated Darrell, "are you really? I can't find WOTGS fn which in thank you for your timc- ly intervention, Miss Deane. If that scouridrel had got away with the money, three people I know would have spent the- most miserable Christmas of their lives. As it is— hut we won't stand talking here. My wife and her brother are waiting for me at a little restaurant in Soho. and I hope you won't refuse to 50in us at lunch. My brother-lri-law is very anxious to meet the author 0f the comedy sketches that event down so well at Bandycombe this summer. I-le has no idea that Hopi? Deane is a lady."

“Ohl Mr. Meythdm is your brother-in-law then."

"My wife-Poppy Wilford-la hie aster."

“I see," murmured the Bill'- BM Darrell thought he noticed an ex- pression of relief CF05! h" ""- "I shall be hapfll! to loin W" Willi Mr. Darrell. Do lct me carry the camp-stool, won't you?"

A cheerful iiiiriv W“ "lied a table in a 91'3"“ "m" t‘

round t“ 4,, well-known Bohemian res or; ant. Mcvtiiom. who W! d“°‘“'d°

hi‘ {also moustache and iiiillefm- had lust finished counting the con’

They covered there in the manager's straw, Only the humble cattle saw.

Warmth 1n the village, cheer at the inn,

And the straw in the manger scant and ‘thin;

But angels sang in a hill near by.

A'nd a gold star rose in the winter, sky;

His mother plllowed Him on her _ arm, ‘

And the little sleeper was glad and warm.

Hundreds and hundreds of yeai! have gone, And still the angels are singing on;

Still the light of that lowly star Over the world-hills shinesafar;

Still into the hearts where love is bright Tile Christ-child enters on Christ. mas night l —-Mary Nelson Talbot.

tents of the velvet bag.

“Four pounds fifteen and eight," he lmlllllllict-‘d. in satsfled tones. That ls--exclud.ng P0ppy's half- crown and my ten-shilling note. A very decent Christmas bog from the musciovlng public I call lt. If it hadn't been for you, Miss Deane, we should now be ordering bread and cheese instead of chicken for lunch."

Jlflpe smiled. "I have no doubt W" are all dying to know how it was I came to take an unreliearsmi llsit iii your little sketch. I must exlllislri that I have been writing comedy stuff-dialogues, concerted " pieces, and so on-ever since I left school. You see, my father runs an agency for supplying humorous ma- terial to the profession."

"Tile Supreme Comedy Miss" Deane?" Meythorne impressed.

"Yes-and I help him; although I a mvery anxious to go on the stage and act lrl my own sketches. I am very anxious to go on the sketch ‘Tip and Run.’ I also heard Mr. Darrell s'ng, of course; and I thought he was the best tenor 1 had ever heard in a seaside concert party.” -~

Darrcll bowed, and Poppy looked delighted.

Service, looked

“An hour ago," continued Hope, “as I eves passing the Lyric Theatre, I heard somebody singing ‘On with the motley.‘ The voce sounded fa.- inlllar, and I lost no time in locating it and making my way to the front of the listening crowd. I rec- oglilzed Mr. Darrell at once in spite of the mask; and when the man with the monocle interrupted, I had my suspicions that he was Mr. Meythom although the moustache puzzled me. However, I edged a little closer to him, and notced the mole on his left cheek. That gave him away at once: and as soon as Miss Wilford-I mean, Mrs. Dar- roll-spoke her lines. I had no longer any doubt that I was witness- ing a. pro-arranged affa r."

Mythorn looked very thoughtful. “Mdy I ask how it was you knew I had a mole 0n my left cheek. Miss Deane? It is so inconspicuous that I doubt very much whether it would occur even to George to mention it if he was asked to describe my phy- sical peculiarities-and he aces int‘ practically every day!"

"You're right, Syd," confirmed Dar rel. "I only remember it when I sec it."

Hope looked confused. "I—I saw you several tlmx at Sandycombe, you know, Mr. Meythorn, and—"

"Women are much more observ- ant than men, Syd" broke in Poppy. "Please go on, Miss Deane."

"well—I saw the performance through, and was thinking what a bright idea. it was, when I noticed that rogue. Warren Bramley, go up to Mr. Darrell and tap him on the shoulder."

"Wan-en Bramley?" cried Darrell, "so that's who he was? He used to be on the Halls, I fancy. Mixed up in a cocaine scandal, wasn't he?"

“That's the mail. m". Darrell He has been leading a shady life ever since. About a year ago he tried to blackmail my father-that's why he remembered me. Dad kicked him out of his ofllce.

"There isn't much more to tell. I saw you hand over the velvet bag. and guessed that Bramley was masquerading as a detective. it isn't the first time he has tried it on. from what I have heard. I followed as quckly as I could, for fr knew that he would decamp with the

' The 511m Kid passed the stock- lng’ stall, pulling ulfthe collar of his smart American-cut overcoat round his ears, paused for a. moment by the vendor of artificial jewellery, walked on, then stopped at the" cor- ner of Berwick Market, W.I., to light a cigarette. Out of the corner of his eye he saw llic large, chem-lill man draw level with him and swing- ing sharply round he smiled all ovcl-

_ his thin, impudent Cockney face.

"Well, Inspector, ain't this just dandy!" he exclaimed “Doing a. little Christmas shopping?" imd he held out his hand in welcome. Th

to her: “We could furnish on the instalment plan, couldn't. we?"

Aubrey's mouth tightened obstin- ately. _ "That's one thing I will not do, darling. For one thing its an awful drain On onc's income-and another thing, I'can't forget Jim ond Dora. They were as much in love as we Ri'@—l»ll@y didn't think anything could g0 wrong-but it did! Jim lost his job and their home that they were so proud of had all to go beck again."

Joan shlvered, all the jiretty little castle in the air that she had built

But you ain't got nuthiri‘ on mo. No sir! You c'n search me.

Kid never let linyone forget he had graduated iii Chicago.

"Good evening, Slim," the big man said amlably. “ I want a little talk with you. A little friendly talk."

"0. K. I'll be delighted," smiled the little man, "But you ain't gut nuthin’ on me. No, sir! You c'li search me."

"Well, well-émaybe we'll d; that dowil at the Yard," said the detect- lve quietly.

Ari expression of mingled frustra- tlon and anxiety came into the Slim Kid's eyes, but long custom made him obey the gentle tug zit his sleeve.

Aubrey held 0n to Joan's arm and leaned a little in front of her so that she would not gct jolted by the busy shopping crowd. The snow was falling faster now, and as lic looked from lils tall yoliiig height clown lit the lovely cross little face lie smiled tolerantly.- Joan was cross-but when one is young and anxious to get married the lack of finlmcilil means ls apt i0 get oil 0110's nerves. Aubrey said, his mouth a little bit drawn: “Darling, I know wc could afford to gct marrled—that is to say we could live on my wages quite decently. But we haven't got any capital. I did expect to get a bonus this afternoon as usual at Christ- mas, but the boss said business did not justify giving one this year. I am trying to save, deal‘. and if things buck up father says he'll help mc. But you wouldn't wnlit to go into any old place would you?’

money at the first opportuli iy. Th: rest you know."

“By James! You've got your wits about you, Miss Deane!" Mcythorn looked his admiration, "If you arc really anxciis i0 act in your own sketches, I wonder whctlior you would care to rehearse one or two with me directly after Christmas? We might find that wc-cr-u'cre l nsympathy, and so on, you know.“

Darrell nudged lils wife surrepti- tously, and Hope lowered her eyes. "We might," she agreed, softly. “By the way-who wrote the book for this afternoon's masquerade?"

Poppy spoke up promptly. "Syd, Miss Deane. Not too bad, wlis it?"

"It was quite good," declared Hope. "I was wondering whether we couldn't wort it up into ii sketch for o, concert party. All we want is a snappy and. convincing curtain."

Darrell coughed. "A romantic touch would, I think. make lt true to life."

"I think you're right, George," sa'd Meythorii, thoughtfully. "A—:\ declaration of love on the part of—"

"Never mind about the ending iiow," broke in Hope, with a height- ened colour, "I—I'll think it over. Meanwhile-"

“Meanwhile, we're all starving," cried Poppy. "Ring the bell for the waiter, somebody!’

iibout hcr home with Aubrey crum- bllllg to nothing. Her hand insinu- utcd itself into his pleadingly.

"I'm sorry, Aubrey. You're right again. But sometimes I do get tired of waiting. Just fancy-we could do it easily on, say, a hundred pounds ~and the world must be full of people to whom a hundred pounds mean no more than twopence does i0 us."

Aubrey laughed and slipped his arm round her. "Don't worry, dar- ling. We must be like the Micaw- bcrs and wait for something to turn ilD- NOW fibOi-lt this Christmas prcs- ontifwoiild you like some beads?"

All iiiiclelit liliti dirty Hebrew with a tray of giltLl-lng baubles heard his words. He thrust a hand- ful of sparkling beads twisted roilnd liis grimy fingers right iilidel‘ illclr noses.

"Present, did yer say, boy? Veil, vat about these? Vat about a. neck- lace? Vat about pearls? Suit you, Miss, a nl-lce stliring of pearls!"

Alilircy grinned, captivated by the old vagabond.

"How about it, Joan? Would you like some pearls-or do you really want some gloves?"

Joan wrinkled her pretty nose in the effort of deciding between util- lly and vanity.

“Pearls," whcedlcd the merchant, “Look, vllie pearls. ‘Eavy as lead. I sell you pearls that iii Pond Sthrcct you pay fife guilicas fol'-— fife gulncas," lic extended five dirty fingers. "And I gifc them away for ten bob!"

Joan took the graduated string of smoothly shilling globes. They liulig heavily on her fingers, licav- lel- than ally artificial pearls sllc had bought before. Shc held them against her llcck and smiled up at

Aubrey.

"They suit you, durllilg, really they do."

"I'd love them . . but I need gloves!"

“Ah!" cried the exasperated mer- chant, "Gloves you can hnf any time-this oficr is yewlicck!"

"All right, here you are," Aubrey made up Joan's mind for hcr and

“On Christmas Eve”

Little stockings liiiiigiiig

Against the fireside wall. Candles brightly gleaming

In parlor and in hiill. Christmas trcc all shhililg,

Hoilsc so warm ‘llld still, Children dcnr arc dreaming

0f Christmas morning‘; thrill.

~. »

Answer each other in the mist.

Four voices of four hamlets round, From far and near, on mead and 111001‘, Swell out and fail, as if n door Wore shut between inc and the

sound. Each voice four changes on tlic ivinrl, That now dilute, and llow dc- crease, Peace and goodwill, goodwill and peace, Peace and goodwill, to all mankind.

—TENNYSON. proffered a ten shilling note, and they moved away, admiring their purchase. .

"A happy Christmas for to-mor- row, Darling," said Aubrey, and kissed the llttlc hand that held the pearls. '

"About tcrl minutes later a. slim young mail ullth eager eyes and quick, predatory hands, came up hurriedly to the old Hebrew vcn- dor.

"Got any pearls, for sale, Moses?"

"Pearls, yc-cs. Ten shillings. I-‘ery good. In Pond Sthrcet you would haf to pay . . ."