The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1911-12-15

were darkly sketched against the
bright blue sky. A thin spiral of
smoke drifted up from the big chin
ney and shimmered away into moth
ingness.
Loring tramped YEARLY up the path /
and turned the corner by the clWmp .
of lockwood where Il little side porch I
jutted out 10 the south. There was a .
window here filed with red geraniums
and the brilliant color seemed to i'm .
part warmth to his benumbed body
The steps had been swept clear of
snow and he was careful to scrape his |
boots before he knocked at the door.
The whirring of a sewing machine
stopped suddenly and quick steps
came across the floor The door flew
open and revealed two faces; that of
Miss Anne, timidly expectant, and the
fair face of the young girl, hopeful
and eager.
"Oh!" they cried in unison and their
voices betrayed bitter disappointment.
1--WE thought it might be the express
man" added Anne in explanation.
I'm sorry to disappolnt you, said
Loring courteously as he barred his
head. "As a matter Of fact, came to
beg nights lodging. have rather
bad knee and it's gone back on me
In the midst of long tramp. won
der"
Come in" interrupted Anne hos
pitably. Its bitter cold out to-day
and the drifts are awful. We haven't
as many flrel as we used to keep. but
you're welcome to sit and get
thaved out"
Robert Loring entered the low
ceiled sitting-room whore a small cyl
inder stove gave forth welcome heat
in the center of the room. The cor
ners seemed chill and dusky, but in
the circle Of warmth from the stove 1t
was very comfortable. A sewing ma
chine was drawn within the magic
circle and there was low rocking
chair and beside 1t huge work basket
Overlooking with bright bits OF SILK.
Anne pushed a big rocking chair
close to the stove and notioned Lor-
ing into It. "Sit close to the hre ana
get thswed out Grace will fetch you
a glass OF currant wine-er maybe
you'd rather have a cup OF conee
She besmed Hospitality at him over
steel-bowed spectacles that were the
color Of her silvery hHir.
az would say coffee II It were not
so much trouble" hesitated Lorlhs
ut does seem an imposition for me
to drop in on you in this manner but
as | was explaining
'It will be no trouble at all. Grace
will be glad to make you cup OF col
fee"
The fair-haired girl fastened to a
tiny cupboard and brought out SINAI
canister and a coffee pot. MISS Anne
excusing herself for moment loS'
ond left the room. Loring watching
the Young girls graceful movements
was suddenly impressed by paihIl
foot His hostesses were unmlstah
eblv poor. The girl had shaken INC
lot Grains of coffee into the pot an'
filling it with cold water paced II q
the top of the cylinder stove. He'
Che steDped 10 and fro from cupboar'
70 table LAYING a meal on snow
cloth There were fresh bread am
butter. baked apples and some Site
of cold ham. q,
when she had invited him to 81
down. Ioring arose with many 'Io''
ries upon his lips. Just then tne 40.
opened to admit Miss Anne mniheu J.
shawl and hood and troubling I'll
agitation. She seemed to forget 10
ing's presence and her Woru9 "ei' ''
dressed to her niece
"Grace-what do you think mas IA
nened? That--that-he's gone li'
thin hands few to her race anu IL
tears trickled between her fingers
ooh. Aunt Anne!" The girl thre
her arm around the older woman
shoulder. Are you sure? why
was there not half hour ago becau'
looked at him. How Go you suppl
he got away" him.
81 guess somebody has taken him
no vas 90 fat. too, Grace" Miss ANA
sank down in chair ana SLOW" =,
r,oved her wraps. oh dear, :
afraid your coffee will get cold. .
,awn and eat your supper, SIR
Thank YOU" said Loring, as
cheyed. 81 hope you are not
ouble, Miss Anne? Is there anytnll
,Iat can do to make things rlen'
Miss Anne surveyed him with a
owing eyes. All at once her ey'
,lnkled pleasantly and she began
ugh. DO you think you can q,
over who stole the white rooster
we're going to have for our Cnrist, ~
,iinner? | had him penned up sale
and l just went out now to have a io'
at him and he is gone-the hen nou
is empty" .A .
"That is too bad, Can't eaten