The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1910-12-16

then paused abruptly as Penfeld ad.
vanced
"Mr. Browning Jack stopped
short and stared with unbelieving
eyes.
The girl laughed softly, and there
was joy in her eyes as she raised them
to his
WHERE did you come from? she
table and extending both gloved little
hands
Prom the Bar r." he replied la.
conically, holding her hands firmly in
his great brown palms.
Explain why you are here of all
places. left you riding the ranges in
Montana, and | see you again in the
country home of my cousins, and you
call me MIR. Browning" she said.
Withdrawing her hands and removing
the heavy cloak that enveloped her.
81 was expecting Christopher Brown
ing. | was sitting up for him. / was
surprised when you entered"
Il am Christopher Browning" she
said saucily. Don't dare to tell me
that you did not know THATp'
Il didn't know it," he admitted hum
bly,. Il knew you as Kitty Brown
"Oh, the Clarks always abbreviated
it. And so you did not know you We're
waiting for me?" she said musingly.
drawing nearer the fire and holding
her hands to the comforting warmth
1--WE been waiting for you ever since
you left the ranges, Kitty" he said
gravely.
She turned away suddenly, and her
voice shook slightly as she replied, Il
told you that you must not"
Il cannot help it, Kitty. You must
know he began, drawing nearer to
her.
You may help me distribute my
gifts she said quickly, recovering her
cOmposurc, and while we are filling
the stockings you must tell me how
you came to make the mistake in my
name and why you, instead of my af-
fectionate cousins. are waiting for M
now"
Jack told his story while the girl dis
| tributed the parcels she had brought
among the limp stockings. There was
even a gift for the capaciOus sock thai
| represented Dick Mason's Christmas.
Il have nothing for yours, Mr. Pen
field" she said. regretfully surveying
the remaining empty sock.
"A little note saying that you hat
changed your mind he began.
But | haven't changed my mind. :
she murmured family.
Are you sure?" he insisted. "Youl
eyes, Kitty, betrayed you when yol
| came into this room. You WERE glaC
to see me. Say that you will go bacl
to the Bar T with me in the spring
She hesitated. "Oh. there is some
thing in the sock" she said evasively
and she stepped forward and, thrust
ing a hand into the toe, brought fort
a small card, which she extended to
ward Penfield.
He took 1t and glanced at the oppo
site side. He uttered an exclamation
Of surprise. Then he held it out t.
her.
She took 1t reluctantly. AS she look
ed a warm flush spread over her face
and she cried impulsively, "Why, that
miner
1t was a snapshot of the master o
the Bar Il ranch standing in the col
raj, surrounded by hundreds of horne
cattle.
Ibid you take that picture, Kitty?
asked Jack eagerly.
She nodded shamefacedly.
"How did il get in there?" he asked
with a puzzled look.
A merry voice called from the dool
way: 81 found 1t on the floor of you
room, Christopher Kit, carefully wral
ped in tissue paper, after you Wei
home at Thanksgiving. or course
recognized MIR. Penfield when he a
rived yesterday, and-and l wante
, something wonderful to happen o
Christmas eve, and for the first tim
in my life IT has happened. And that
all. except merry Christmas both"
BLESS the child" murmured Jac
happily, gathering the abashed Chri
topher into his arms.
That's what l say, too" she viii
| softly