Los Angeles herald., 1907-12-15
Il Lonely Cbrletmae Eve
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Haven't you been afraid, Maisie, here by
yourself nearly all night"
No, indeed. l was at first, before found
the cabin-afraid I'd freeze to death; and I
almost did, too. But when I crept in here
and discovered the fire not yet gone out, 1
didn't mind it bit, felt SO safe and sure
that you would come for me in the morning
And you have, for it must be near morning
by this time. Is mamma worried, Percy?
And"
"Oh somebody should have gone home to
tell her." interrupted Percy, in distress that
he should have forgotten to do so until re-
minded by Maisie's words
"Oh, that's all right" said one of the
men, who had now come up reassuringly
BILLY Buckle ran to tell her just as soon
as he had made sure that the girl was found.
But | think we had better start home our
selves, as the sky seems to be clearing and
the wind gone down"
This suggestion was Immediately acted
upon; and the tired but happy party set out
on their return, Malsie carefully assisted by
Percy, who. was all attention and contriton,
his cousin having suddenly become a person
of Importance in his eyes.
1t is needless to say that Mrs. Carson re-
ceived her daughter with open arms, Billy
having promptly informed her of Maisie's
rescue.
After breakfast the next morning, Maisie
recounted the story of her terrible experience
Percy was deeply impressed and his soul
filled with self-reproach.
"And l called her baby and a coward,
he said to himself, remorsefully, Il ought
to beg her pardon and / will"
He fingered about feeling very uncomfort-
able in mind, until he had a chance to speak
to Maisie alone.
BY nine o'clock the sun was shining bright
" on the new fallen snow, and Christmas
cheer and good fellowship beamed in every
face and was expressed in every voice.
Maisies heart was overflowing with glad
ness as she entered the sitting-room where
she found Percy, absently looking out OF the
window at the snowy landscape
"Are you all right Nagain, Maise?' he ask
ed, anxiousy, as his cousin came and stood
beside him.
"0h, yes; not, bit the worse for my
Christmas Eve adventure. although, 1 would
not care to undergo the like again" she re-
piled.
There was an embarrassing pause for a
moment on Percy's part, and then he said,
manfully:
81 take it all back, Maisie, about, your
being coward, you know. / own I'd have
been afraid in that old cabin alone at dead Of
night, to say. nothin of the woods and the
STORM. Here's IA little Christmas gift for
you" And he handed her book, beautifully
bound in full morocco of rich maroon
color. Il was going to get sled Tor my
self, but II changed my mind at the last
moment and got this instead" continued
Percy 81 saw Mr.. Jardon early this morn
ing and he kindly made the exchange"
''For me?' cried Maisie, rapturously, as
she opened the handsome volume her cousin
had given her-"for me? How good OF you,
Percy! "The Poetical Works of Alfred
Tennyson.' How lovely, and, how sgpcrbly
illustrated! How did you, know, Percy?
just what wanted And Maisie actually
kissed her treasure in her girlish delight.
And | have only these for you," she added,
a little reluctantly now that Percy's gift was
50 fine and so much more costly. i almost
forgot. / made these mittens for you, Percy;
but they are nothing at all. There's some
thing great deal nicer out on the porch,
though, that l know you will like, smiling
brightly. sYou must come right out and see
it. Papa brought it this morning, from, New
York You know the storm delayed the
train, and he did not get here until an hour
She skipped away and Percy followed,
feeling rather bewildered with the sudden
ness of it all. When he reached the porch
he found Maisie on her knees, tearing away
the stiff brown paper from long object,
that in another instant he realized was
sled-a sled much larger and handsomer
than the one at the village store.
He critically examined it with little "Ohs!"
and "Ahs" of approval Finally he man
aged to say: 49,
"How did you know l wanted one"
and hugged Maisie in real boy fashion.
Maisie smiled her pleasure, and then said,
with a note of wistful uncertainty in her
voice:
"Percy, you Dc Do like me, even if was
afraid of a cow"
trump, Maise-you're the bravest girl I
know"
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