The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1910-12-25

then paused abruptly as Pendcld ad.
vanced
MIR. Browning Jack stopped
short and stared with unbelicvins
eyes.
The girl laughed softly, ana there
was joy IN her eyes as SHE raised them
To his.
WHERE did you come frum?' she
asked, dropping her parcels to the
table and extending bsth gloved little
hands.
"From The Ear T." be replied la
eonically, 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. Browilingw she said
Withdrawing her hands and removing
the heavy cloak that enveloped her
Il was expecting Christopher Brown
Ing. was sitting up for him. | was
surprised when you entered"
Il am Christopher Browning" she
said sauciy. nout dare to tell me
that you did not know THAT
II didn't know ii, lie admitted hum
bly,. "A knew You us Kitty Brown"
"Oh, the Clarks always abbreviated
IT, And so you did not know YOU were
waiting for meg she said musingiy,
drawing nearer the fire and holding
her hands to the comforting warmth.
I've been waiting for you ever siace
you left, the ranges Kitty" be said
gravely.
She turned away suddenly, and her
voice shook slightly rs she replied Il
told you that you must not"
II cannot help 1t. Kitty. You mist
know be began, drawing nearer to
her.
"You may help me distribute my
gifts, She said quickly, recoy eriug her
composure, and while we are dlling
the stockings you must tell me how
you cane to make the mistake in my
name and why you. instead OF my af-
fectionate cousins, are waiting for me
now
Jack tolq his story while the girl dis
tributed the parcels she had brought
among the limp stockings There was
even u gift for the capacious sock that
represented Dick AIason's Christmas.
Il have nothing for yours. Mr.. Pen,
field" she said, regretlully surveying
the remaining empty sock
"a little note saying that you had
changed your mind - ha'begdn.
"But haven't clangea my mind"
she murmured faintiy
Are YOU auren he Insisted "Your
eyes. Kitty. betrayed YOU waan you
came into this room. You WEED GLAD
to see me say that you win 80 lack
to the Bar Z With ue In she spring"
She liesiiated "0b. there is some
thing in the sogk,' she said eyasively.
and she stepped forward and. thrust
ing hand into The toe. brought forth
a small card witch sine extended To-
ward Penlald
He tool, II and glanced az The o7po-
site side he uttered an c1 ia'aation
Of surprise Then he held it or ID
her.
She tool; 4 reluctln&. As SIZE laas-
ed warm flush spread over her free,
and she cried iuBuIsively why thats
mine
1t WIS a snapshot Of the master q
the Bar 7 ranch standing in The yer.
raj, surrounded by hundreds Of horned
cattle
did you take that picture, Kit;y?"
asked Jack eagerly. M
She nodded shamefacedly.
"How did il get in there?" he asked
with a puzzled look
a merry voice called from the door
way: Il found it on the floor of your
room, Christopher Kit, carefully wrap.
ped in tissue paper. after you went
home at Thanksgiving OF course
recognized Mr.. pentieid when he ar
rived yesterday and and | wanted
something wonderful TO happen on
| Christmas eve. and for the first time
in my life II has happened. And that's
all, except merry Christmas BOTH"
BLESS the childm murmured Jack
happily, gathering the abasbed Chris
! TOPPER into his arms.
THAT'S what l say, too" she whis-
pered softly.