Perth Amboy evening news., 1910-12-20

then paused abruptly as Penield adj
vanced.
"Mr. Browning Jack stopped
short and stared with unbelieying
eyes.
The girl laughed softly, and there
was joy in her eyes as she raised them
to his.
WHERE did you come fromr' she
asked, dropping her parcels to the
table and extending both gloved little
hands.
prom the Bar T." he replied la
c~onically, 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 l see you again In the
country home of my cousins, and you
call me MIR. B~rowning!' she said,
Withdrawing her hands and removing
the heavy cloak that euveIoped her.
Il was expecting Christopher Brown
ing. l was sitting up for him. I 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,. 6" knew you as Kitty Brown
'0h, the Clarks always abbreviated
1t. And so yoe did not know you were
waiting for me?" she said musingly,
drawing nearer the fire and holding
bor hands fo tho oouaFar+i,,u x,,orp,+b
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. 81
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 her
composure, "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-
f~ectionate cousins, are waiting for me
now"
Jack told his story whf4 the girl dis
tribHted the parcels she had brought
among the limp stockings. There was
eve a gift for the capacious sock that
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 had
changed your mind he began.
'But 1 haven't changed my mind"
she naurnured family.
Are you sure?" he insisted. 'FYour
eyes, Kitty, betrayed you when you
came into this room. You WE'RE glad
to see nae. Say that you will go back
to the Bar II with me In the spring."
She besitated. ooh, there is some.
thing In the SOCK she said e~yasiveiy,
and she stepped forward and, thrust
ing a hand into the toe, brought forth
a small card, which she extended to-
ward Penfieid.
he took 1t and glanced at the opp
site side. He uttered an exclamation
of surprise. Then he held 1t out to
her.
She took it reluctantly. As she look
ed a warm flush spread over her face.
and she cried impulsively, "Why, that's
miner
1t was a snapshot of the master of
the Bar 4 ranch standing in the cor
raj, surrounded by hundreds of horned
cattle.
did you take that picture. Kitty?s
asked Jack eagerly.
She nodded shamefacedly.
"How did 1t get in there7" he asked,
with u puzzled look.
A merry voice called from the door
way: II found 1t On the floor of your
room, Christopher Kit, carefully wrap
ped In tissue paper, after you went
home at Thanksgiving. OF course ]
recognized Mi. Penfield when he ar
rived yesterday, and-and l wanted
something wonderful to happen on
Christmas eve, and for the first time
In my life 1t has happened. And that's
all, except merry Christmas bothV'
"Bless the chfldr' murmured Jack
happily, gathering the abashed Chris
TOPPER into his arms.
That's what / say, too" she whis-