The Globe-republican., 1892-12-30

| to stand Of that sort Of thing. Your
bags will be brought in. and your horse
put in the stable. Mrs. Bardsley will
take charge Of Miss Weldon. I'll at
tend to you, sir, and supper wilD be
ready in half an hour" and without
waiting for an answer he left the room.
We looked at each other and laughed.
THAT Is just what hoped he would
do," said Miss Weldon. Il have had
all the sleighing want for this day"
"Good!" I cried. throwing off my
overcoat; I feared might have to per-
suade you"
That is really absurd" she said, "as
if the storm and Major Pendallas were
not quite enough"
In five minutes Miss Weldon had
been carrie1 of by the beaming Mrs.
Bardsley, while Major Pendallas con-
ducJed me to bedroom on the ground
floor, in which found q cracking wood
fire. The house was a large one, and
seemed to be lighted from top to bot
tom.
We three sat down to a big round
supper table, and as might have been
expected the meal was bountiful, hot
and most grateful and CHEEKY to the two
storm-b beaten travellers, who had eaten
nothing since breakfast except an unat-
tractive luncheon on the train.
Our host did most Of the talking, and
we were we'll content to have him do it.
you cannot imagine, he burst out.
as soon as we were seated, how glad
am to have you two people here. I e1-
pected to spend this Christmas eve alb
that, for 1 never did anything of the
kind before, and from boy I have
thought more of Christmas eve than of
Christmas day. There is less of strain
In it. On Christmas day you feel as If
you ought to be awful jolly, because if
you don't, you won't have another
chance for a year. On Christmas eve
one can be jolly without thinking of it.
If there are any shortcomings they can
be made up next day. Last year my
| niece was with me and We had plenty of
company, but now she's married and
cleared out utterly. Gone to Europe
with her husband, and intends to stay
there.
But the storm has been good to me.
Let me give you a piece Of this chicken,
sir, and some butter. This is Christ
mas butter, especially made from the
cream of two cows, both granddaughters
of the great Cavalier George.
The Majors anticipation OF truly
jolly Christmas eve was interfered with
by Miss Weldon, who declared, shortly
after nine o'clock, that she was 80 IA
tigued by her days experiences that she
would be obliged to bid US goodnight.
When she had gone the Major and I
each lighted a cigar and drew up before
the big fire in the parlor.
L can help being disappointed, said
he, for I intended to get up lot of
games. and have Mrs. Bardsley and her
daughter In. They are very respectable
people, and at Christmas time We al.
ways have them In at the games. But
bed is the best place for Miss Weldon
after what she has pulled through this
day. And am so reioiced to have you
both In the house that I sha mt grum-
BILE. It doesn't matter In the least that
when the sun Set to-day had never
seen either Of you. nor you me. know
who you are, and you know who am;
at least Miss Weldon knows, and that's
enough
But you don't know me, said.
Indeed do. he exclaimed, slapping
one of his sprea !-out knees and leaning
toward me. Il know you in the best
kind Of q way. have one Of your pic
lures. Now, don't 20 and say you are
not the artist, Henry G.. Ashmead.'
Il am hat man, replied.
Il didn't doubt It, said the Major,
leaning back In his chair, you look
like It. I am . bachelor, sir, and it
takes . good deal to keep that eort Of .
| Pictures and books holD . lot IN tbAt