Several hours later his rooms were in a sorry condition. Stools,
chairs and tables were moved from their places and. drawers and
closets were emptied in the search for things to pacify the excited
and restless children. Stoger sacrificed everything to keep them
quiet. He• played lion and bear with them, and so horribly did
he roar that the children began crying.
However, the evening gradually advanced and the children be
came tired. The little heads grew heavy, nodding first forward
and then falling stiffly backward, and in a short while they were
fast asleep.
" They have gone to sleep," said Johnnie, somewhat scornfully,
but even he was soon fast asleep as Stiiger found when he at
tempted to pick up the smaller ones. So he remained sitting in
his place and glanced earnestly at the three children. He was
experiencing a peculiar sensation. A rap at the door and Rosa
entered.
"0, Mr. StOger, she is sleeping," she said, joyfully. " The
doctor says it was a total collapse of the nervous system, but that
she will soon recover. All that she needs is rest and attention.
0, mercy ! the children," as she spied the group. '' How they
must have plagued you. But I'll soon have them away to bed."
" They'll disturb the invalid," returned Stiiger.
" 0, no; they're asleep now," said Rosa.
" Well, bring them to me early to-morrow," said Stoger,
heartily. • " They didn't bother me, the change will do me good.
And now be kind enough to take this heavy youngster. My arm
is quite stiff."
As Rosa bent over to take tip Walt she touched Stager's hand,
and before lie could remonstrate she had touched it to her lips.
" A question, Miss Rosa; what is your sister's name?"
" Anna Konig," she replied, wonderingly. " Didn't you know
it ?"
" Anna ? Her name Anna ! And what was her maiden
name ?"
" Naturally the same as mine—Reichelt."
" Are you real sisters ?"
" As good and true sisters as could be."
StOger questioned no further, but sighed and stroked his fore
head as though lie were alone.
" A dream," he said softly to himself.
The Free Lance
" What could it be but
[JANUARY,