The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1911-09-02
CHAPTER VI.
oormIy Announces His Candidacy.

00fvniy MS SAH0lodSys
The hall into which Miss Haldane
stepped early the next morning had
been transformed into a perfect bower
Of winter beauty. There had been no
time to buy anything; but the most
available pine trees on the place. Of
which there were several. had been
ruthlessly sacrificed. and under CORN
ly's personal supervision the hall. .
magnificent apartment under any cir
cumstances, had been lavishly decor
ated with the fragrant evergreen in
honor OF Christmas.
Gormly had been busy during the
night He actually had not slept .
wink So soon as he had got the
party safely to bed, he had gone to
the stable, and in default OF anyone
else who could do so, he had himself
ridden across the country through the
snow and storm. which was even then
dying out, to notify the people at the
Haldane place of the predicament Of
the family and to arrange that maids
and men with proper clothing should
be brought over to his own cottage
early In the morning.
necessity Of appearing in evening cos
tune at eight o'clock in the morning.
or of making q guy Of herself in Mrs.
Bullens extraordinary attire. She had
learned, of course, from her maid how
the news had been brought and how
she happened to be there with the
change OF apparel.
Miss Haldane had not slept very
well; for one reason her thoughts had
dwelt INCREASINGLY upon that strange
conversation she had had with her
host. She had awakened earlier than
the rest, had dressed Immediately, and
had descended to the hall in hope Of
seeing him. Her pleasure and salts
faction sparkled in her eyes as she
extended her hand.
How delightfully."- Christmaslike 10
the room: how good it smells" she
said after the nrst words of greeting.
Il am glad indeed that 1t pleases
you" answered Gormly. smiling. And
II you will permit me. will repeat my
words of last night. or early this morn
ing, and wish you again q very Mer-
~ Christmas and . Happy New Year
- we'll"
And will give you back your wish
With interest" returned Miss Haldane.
'"as l did last night. an sure that
We are all intensely grateful to you for
your forethought In having the maids
and clothes brought over. Felice, my
maid, has told me that you rode over
yourself very early this morning to
carry the news Of our plight, and to
bring them. II must have been hard
Hiding"
TT took ne back to boyhood days.
Niss Haldans."
In the west" asked the girl.
well, yes." VA the somewhat 70
luctant answer. although the greater
part Of my boyhood was not spent In
the west"
And this ride In the storm, was It
Hko the other rides and storms you
have experiencsd!"
This was . very mild a6air com
pared to those. could wish It had
hssn harder"
"Why!"
This time was riding for another
woman, . different woman"
o k1AA0oAs0 ASe@A0& sAAAA ~ S3S
Direct statement; but womanliks she
changed the subject
"DlA you have this Christmas ar
bangemsnt of pines made n the hallf'
She asked irrslsvantly.
For you-and your party" inter
posed Gormly With . psrosptible break
Altar the pronoun 20 - to allow the
tact to pormeats Thoroughly. =" WISH"
hs added, that circumstances permit
ted me to signaliss the season by Of
feFing you IN adequate Christmas
pressAt
Il have. however. something that
nay possibly interest you. which
may venture to hope you. may regard
~ . personal tribute from me In Lea
of such . gift"
And what y tAatf~ asked Niss