The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1910-12-23

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arranged his affairs. and, leaving his
foreman in charge of the Bar t out
fit, he had come to New York to find
Kitty Brown. He had been too proud
and reserved to ask for information
from her friends, the Clarks, and his
quest for the girl he loved had been
quite hopeless. Then he had dropped
in upon his cousin Dick Mason, who
had picked him up and carried him off
for the holidays to the country home
Of the Latimers, and here he was,
with the first clew to Kitty Brown
staring him in the face. He felt no
elation now, for with the nearness of
her discovery came the thought that
she would send him away again. New
ertheless he determined that he would
unbosom himself to sweet, motherly
Mrs. Latimer in the morning.
There was tinkle of sleighbels
drawing nearer the faint sound Of an
arrival at the door, and he FASTENED
TO his feet to greet the coming stran-
Der. whom he had almost forgotten
The hall door closed softly, and then
the door of the library was pushed
gently open and a slim, dark clad fig
lre. with arms brimming over with
packages. slipped into the room and
:hen paused abruptly as Pentield ad-
vanced.
Mr. Browning Jack stopped
! short and stared with unbeieving
eyes.
The girl laughed softly. and there
was joy in her eyes as she raised them
to his.
''WHERE did you come from?" she
asked. dropping her parcels to the
table and extending both gloved little
hands.
From the Bar IT, he replied la
conically. holding her hands firmly in
his great brown palms.
Explain why you are here Of all
places. l left you riding the ranges in
Montana, and / see you again in the
country home of my cousins, and you
call Inc MIR. Browning" she said,
withdrawing her hands and removing
the heavy cloak that enveloped her.
Il was expecting Christopher Brown
ing. l 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 THAT
81 didn't know it," he admitted hum
bly,. 81 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, II
told you that you must not"
81 cannot help it, Kitty. You must
know he began. drawing nearer to
her.
you may help me distribute my
gifts" she said quickly. recovering heI
composure. land 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 me
now"
Jack told his story while the girl dis
tributed the parcels she had brought
among the limp stockings. There was
even gift for the capaciouS sock thai
represented Dick Masons Christmas.
Il have nothing for yours, Mr.. Pen
field" she said. regretfully surveying
the remaining empty sock.
"a little note saying that you haC
, changed your mind he began.
"But l haven't changed my mind,
she murmured family.
Are you sureT' he insisted. "Youl
eyes. Kitty, betrayed you when yo,
came into this room. You WE'RE glat
to see me. Say that you will 60 bacl
y 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
small card. which she extended to
y ward Penfield.
He took it and glanced at the oppo
site side. He uttered an exclamation
>, OF surprise. Then he held it out t
q her.
She took it reluctantly. As she look
l. ed a warm flush spread over her face
U and she cried impulsively, "Why. that
$ miner
1t was snapshot Of the master O
the Bar L ranch standing in the col
U raj, surrounded by hundreds of horne,
u cattle.
c Did you take that picture, Kitty !?
8 asked Jack eagerly.
i She nodded shamefacedly.
d How did it get in there?" he asked
IT with a puzzled look.
" A merry voice called from the door
C way: Il found it on the floor Of you