“Now, run along, girls, and get ready for dinner,” she said finally. “We are going to have one big table, instead of all the little ones in the dining room. With a tree in the center, and place cards, just like a jolly family party.”
“That’s swell!” exclaimed Mary Louise. “It’ll be real Christmas after all.”
“And thank you so much for the lovely handkerchiefs, dear,” added the manager. “It was sweet of you to think of me.... That reminds me, you haven’t had your presents yet.”
“Put them at my place at the table,” suggested Mary Louise. “And I’ll have presents for some of the guests,” she added, with a significant glance at the briefcase and basket.
When the girls returned to the first floor, after washing their faces and powdering their noses, they found Mr. Gay waiting for them. For a moment he did not see them, so intent was he in the newspaper he was reading.
“Want to see the gang’s picture?” he asked when Mary Louise came to his side.
“Oh yes! Please!”
In spite of the fact that it was Christmas Day, a large photograph of Mrs. Ferguson and her six accomplices occupied much of the front page of this Philadelphia paper. In an inset above the picture of the crooks was Mary Louise’s smiling face!
“Daddy!” cried the girl in amazement. “Are you responsible for this?”
“I am,” replied her father proudly. “I want everybody to know that the credit belongs to you, Daughter.”