Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1892-12-22
MANS CHRISTMAS GUEST.

A great event occurred in the Curtis
household when Nan took summer board
srs. When she first announced this in
Eention the Amusement of the assembled
family was too great for words. The
two smaller children gaZed at her in wide
eyed wonder, and her father, when he at
length found voice, remarked contemptu-
ously:
"Who'll come up here in the back
woods, I'd like to know"
But Nan was not to be discouraged.
"There is the mountain, she said, stout
ly, "and the fine air, and the pine woods;
why wouldn't someone like Just such a
wild, lonely place -someone from the
cityp"
A newspaper had drifted to the Curtis
farm the day before, and Nan, devouring
1t eagerly, Glanced upon the advertise
ments for summer boarders set forth in its
columns. She noticed that the chief in
lucements held out had been invariably
the aforesaid pine woods and mountain
scenery. These she had to perfection,
for the little gray farmhouse chung to the
mountain side like the moss to the rifted
rock, and the grand panorama of sunrise
and sunset, of silvery mists rising from
the valley, and of purple clouds gather
ing at evening about the lofty peak, could
be had for the mere exertion of looking
out of the window. She loved these things
herself, why should not someone
else2 She had been little appalled, at
her own audacity at first, but now she
was resolved to make the attempt at least,
being mistress of the house.
81 shall write out the advertisement,
and you shall take it down to the post
office when you go to town to morrow, "
she said decidedly and with business
like manner that duly impressed the fam
lily; and the indulgent father, accus-
toned to obey this dusky-eyed daugh-
ter, whose learning and shrewdness were
a source of unbounded awe and admira-
ton to him, finally acquiesced to the
new and startling scheme. He did not,
in his own mind, see why any one should
wish to come to their farm in the wilder
ness, although he admitted that the view
was fine, and the little turbulent stream
that tumbled over the rocks, clear as
crystal. The thought of the stream in
spired him with brilliant idea.
"You had better put something in
about the fshing," he said, as he went
out, feeling that he too, was something
of business man after all. And Nan,
who was diligently copying the model in
the paper, added this last clause with a
triumphant flourish.
The sun was just going down behind
the mountain as Mr.. John Raymond,
seated in Farmer Curtis jolting farm
wagon, rode slowly up the narrow road
towards the Curtis farm. The great
peak stood out in distinct and sombre
outline against the crimson sky. The
evening breeze, coming from the cool
heights, was full of a piny odor, strange
ly invigorating, and although he could
not see it, the music of swiftly running
water told him that q mountain stream
was not far away, and made him think
involuntarily of the fishing rods in the
back of the wagon. Save this and the
melancholy note of whippoorwill, al
was perfectly still The young man
fresh from the city haunts, appreciated
the unusual beauty of the scene, and was
Just congratulating himself that his hos
had at last relapsed into silence that h,
might give himself up to the spell which
the lonely place, was somehow casting
upon him, when suddenly in ;
clump of bushes by the road
side, which they were approaching,
he caught glimpse of a face peering ou
at them. He was half startled for a mo
ment, but it was only a moment, forupoI
a second look, he discovered that it wa
young girls laughing gypsy face, will
great dark eyes and mass of jet blacl
hair, which evident contact with tn
bushes had set falling about in mos
becoming confusion. The bright lip
hid parted as the wagon approached
and the girl was evidently about to &C
cost the occupants, when meeting tn
strangers eyes bent upon her, surprised
intent and admiring, she looked shyly a
him for a moment, and then in confusion
turned and disappeared in the wood.
John Raymond turned quickly to hi
companion, an eager question upon hi
lips, but seeing that the farmer had bee
utterly oblivious to the little by-play, h
changed his mind and remained silent
al shall certainly see her again, he sal
TO himself, especially II she is in tn
habit of haunting these woods"
Presently a sharp. turn in the roa
brought them in sight OF the low farm
house, surrounded by sloping, well-tille
fields; and from the increased animatio
of both horse and driver, the visitc
guessed this to be their destination.
, "Have you other boardersl'' he aske
carelessly; il was the first time III
question had occurred to him.
eyes," answered the farmer brisk,
one more, young lady up here Il
her health, likes the mountain air."
As they drew near, Raymond coul
see that there were two young womt
upoa the broad porch. One, fair haire
| and wearing n white dress. was id