Omaha daily bee., 1905-12-24

erstands ISL that in a fix"
IN upn - A great gust wind carried a shower
ofsure spray into their faces and the breakers thun
dera almost at their feet
Ant haven't been to Hurstlees since was mere
boy. that used to ride along the sea road
for ter or twelve miles. There should be windmill
somewhere near.
The AT tomobie bumped the first of series of
snowdrfts that ribbed the way, and finally came to
Gerald Arrnitage got down and houndered a low
stone wall which parallel with the road
Bring the lantern, Alec"
inspected the hlihked at his man through the
whirling and growled: ...
The wall ends here that we've left the mill
good mile behind haven't forgotten the old land
marks what's to be done?
Il haven't notion sir We shall be showed up in
an hour. amt drowned II the tides still coming
i'm the waves will be before long,
Arm,taee laughed heartily Poor old Alec This is
going to be rema rEabe Christmas eve and I like
something out of at the festive season. At
my other time l should feel like kicking myself
He reflected for minute then said: We've left the
village of Brghtdale full mile and a half and,
there's nothing between and Hurstlees but an old
mansion called the Grange The grounds used to begin
where this wall ends that should be within
couple of hundred yards of the house Follow me Alec
Alec despairing glance at the halfbured motor
car and trudsed after his young master He had been
anticipating registering Christmas eve at Hurstees'
and this the result!
However, Gerald Armitage not at fault this time
Flashing before him he turned into an ave
nue. stuned standing at the front
door of a big rambling house.
There a glimmer of light anywhere" gasped
Alec wiping from his smarting eyes.
Armtage grasped the door knocker and struck half
dozen fierce blows with it, remarkng: IF the house
is unoccuped, Alec, must break into it!
But the cautiously opened about an inch
and a mans grun voice demanded their business.
If it's Madame Bell wish to see, she's gone away
for the holidays. won't be back for weeks. And
what you doing with that lantern? o. get away "
Armitage pushed past him and Alec was close
second, followed nv cloud of whirling snowfakes
Don't alarmed sir Arnitage said. This is the
worst night ever experienced My motor Is stuck in
the and we merely want shelter until the morn
ing"
The man spiuttered something the ntruders
from head toe, motioned them 10 follow him. He
led the way into large fashioned kitchen wherein
leapng flames Of huge fire were making music in
the cavernous chimney
Take on your overeoats" he said surlily You're
running pools Of water everywhere"
I'm sorry" Armitage's blue eyes twinkled mis-
You'n he sorry when the matron finds you here'"
Then let us hope that the she-dragon will not de-
scend upon us until fortified with a good
draft Of your warm tea It smells uncommonly nice.
Well shake the off our things In yonder porch.
Alec and gentleman will provide us with mop
you clean the mess Nothing like an old sailor in
You're welcome to tea. but please remember that
INV wife is no she-dFaeon?"
lust then there we're sounds Of eiriish laughter and
inconseduent little sdueds in the hsn and rush OF
patering feet then the Kitchen door was unceremoni
ousIy thrown open Armitage retreated to the
porch with Alec. good looking and reProaehtul
young had invaded the Kitchen, with hve
younger girls at her heels
six o'clock Curtis. and lishts We want to put
up the holly now"
trimmed Miss Fame, 1 declare forgot all about
the holly Itn 10 wait tin morning there's
two foot the ground, and regular blizzard
raging Harki You can hear II! "
Yes. l can hear it," answered the young lady, IN
dignanty; I angry with you But these chill
dren be disappointed If have TO cut the
holly myself!
Impossible Fanei" Then he endeavored tC
make mysterious and approaching the girl whis
pered: I've got visitors, and
Yes I quite understand" the scornful rejoinder
Beer drinking sailors the village, like your
self! think sailors the disreputa
bile! The idea OF Christmas without holly is IN