Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1892-12-24

thorns, and with open weather, aud
four lood horses IN tue stable. |
grndgci m ssing even oneday's hunt .
ing. Still bachelors hunting
box, seven miles from anywhere,
was not exactly my idea of the place To
Christmas in; so 1 turned over in my
mind the merits aad dement's of my
various friends establishments, but
could not come to any conclusion as To
which l intended to honor with my
presence.
The evening post settle l the matter
for me.
The very place. cried, when Just
as l had finished dinner the maid
brought in letter from my old chum,
LangGam Carter, who was home on a
six months furlough flom India. He
and had been close friends at school,
but we had not met again until one WIN
ter when | went out to India for some
tiger and big game sho ,tiny. We were
both staying with Sanderson, at Mysore,
and good sport we had. He showed US
how to catch elephants, as only he knows
how, aud put me in the way of baggipS
my first tiger.
"What fun it was aud what a COOS
sort old George Ssuderson is-very few
like him, worse luck / muse /, as
Langham's letter recalled that jolly time
winch we had spent together.
Dear Frank. his note ran. II an
!
aud hope you'll come, too. You can
have good mount on any OF the DADS
horses-they are all your sort, well bred
and good performers. If yoa bring . rod
you can catch pixies galore and OF siz,s
large in the moat. Father and mother
and the girls you remember Nellie and
Nora when they were ittiel will be de.
lighted to see you once more. Come by
the early train on Christmas Eve and
Ill me you at the sttion. Don't bother
to write, just send wire to say you're
coming t--
SO next morning sent my message,
Thanks, delighted to come, aud speat
the rest of the day i'll pleasant anticipa,
tiou OF the fun l was going to have. |.
there is che thing like, or love. mex
TO hunting, it is bit of good fishing,
and big pike is my especial in.'the Gsl
line SO l packed up my rod and lonked
out suitable tackle tor the mighty moa-
aicag OF whom Lang spoke.
1t was only midday when l reached
the Carriers station, tor had got up be.
times. Two very pretty girls were wait.
lug for nc on the platform; aud | iu-
Stantly recogn zed one as an improved
edition of the little Nellie used to chase
and kiss undcr the mstletoe slofiy 20.
Sac had been my first love, aud We
made all sorts of VOWS and promisesdar.
ing the winter holidays that l spent at
The Moat as boy. Her compG1ion was
not Nora-I felt sure of tfiat-5ut /
thought she was the most hesWifp
woman l had ever beIeld. Medium
height, and fair, with curly golden hair
under an Astrakan cap, she looked quite
the regular Christmas-story.boo&. picture
girl, with the advantage of merry pali
of sparkling gray eyes, and a laughing
face. In her arms she carriedsa mite OF
a toy bull terrier, in a smart red coat
As pulled my traps ont of TIE train
Miss Carter came up aud shook hands.
"Langham was so sorry he couldn't
meet you. He won't be back tilt this
evening, so we--let me introduce Mis-
Mildred Palgrase, who is STAYING with
ns-thcught we'd drive to fetch you in.
stead. ] am afraid VIC are poor sub
sttute for brother Lam, but you must
make the best OF. it anu take US on our
merits.
Locking At them | though myself
lucky, and thanked heaven that Lang
could not come, migrate ! was.
Miss Palgrave held out we'll gloved
hand saying, 9. am so glad to meet you,
for Langham has told me so many stories
about you as boy that-I quite feel |
know you already. But they tell me
ihat Unjust treas you with respect, Tor
you're mighty Nimrod now, and a
slayer of wild beasts
''Not many, I'm afraid. Mere trave-
lers' tales. Some of dear old Lapgham's
yarns" answered !, moiestiy, but
was secretly gratife at her taking such
friendly interest in ule.