shouldn't get scared again and run
off; and now he wouldn't leave Bill for anybody. Of course, he ain't
much of a dog, Pete ain't," he added, "he's just a pup, but he's mighty
friendly!"

"Boy," said Mr. Carter, "I guess I'll just go round and"--he was about
to add, "have a look at that dog," but fearful of raising suspicion, he
ended--"and see Bill."

The tenements to which the boy led him were of brick, and reasonably
clean. Nearly every window showed some sign of Christmas.

The tree-bearer led the way into a dark hall, up one flight--Mr. Carter
assisting with the tree--and down another dark hall, to a door, on
which he knocked. A woman opened it.

"Here's the tree!" said the boy, in a loud whisper. "Is Bill's door
shut?"

Mr. Carter stepped forward out of the darkness.

"I beg your pardon, madam," he said. "I met this young man in the
street, and he asked me to come here and see a playmate of his who is, I
understand, an invalid. But if I am intruding----"

"Come in," said the woman, heartily, throwing the door open. "Bill will
be glad to see you, sir."

The philanthropist stepped inside.

The room was decently furnished and clean. There was a sewing machine in
the corner, and in both the windows hung wreaths of holly. Between the
windows was a cleared space, where evidently the tree, when decorated,
was to stand.

"Are all the things here?" eagerly demanded the tree-bearer.

"They're all here, Jimmy," answered Mrs. Bailey. "The candy just came."

"Say," cried the boy, pulling off his red flannel mittens to blow on his
fingers, "won't it be great? But now Bill's got to see Santa Claus. I'll
just go in and tell him, an' then, when I holler, mister, you come on,
and pretend you're Santa Claus." And with incredible celerity the boy
opened the door at the opposite end of the room and disappeared.

"Madam," said Mr. Carter, in considerable embarrassment, "I must say
one word. I am Mr. Carter, Mr. Allan Carter. You may have heard my
name?"

She shook her head. "No, sir."

"I live not far from here on the avenue. Three weeks ago I lost a little
dog that I valued very much. I have had all the city searched since
then, in vain. To-day I met the boy who has just left us. He informed me
that three weeks ago he found a dog, which is at present in the
possession of your son. I wonder--is it not just possible that this dog
may be mine?"

Mrs. Bailey smiled. "I guess not, Mr. Carter. The dog Jimmy found hadn't