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58 Santa Claus went on, "and, as a reward for it I have brought you this. May it help you to win many games."

With that he handed Lem a red, white and blue striped rubber ball, the kind given to babies so they can not hurt themselves.

The other pupils burst into laughter, and Lem blushed. He acted as though he was going to throw it at the head of St. Nicholas, but thought better of it and went to his seat.

"Fenn Masterson," Santa Claus called next, and Stumpy went forward. "Fenn, I have heard how devoted you are to the ladies," the speaker went on. "So I bring you this that you may never forget them," and Fenn was given a doll dressed in the height of fashion. On the neck was a card which read: "I love Fenn and Fenn loves me."

"Kiss her, Fenn!" called out Ned in a loud whisper, and poor Fenn, blushing to his ears, carried the doll back to his seat.

"I have here something for Ned Wilding," the figure went on, and, as Ned, in response to the remorseless urging of his fellow pupils, went forward he was given a tin rattle box.

"Now James Eaton," called Santa Claus, and James, who was very fond of dogs was given a