Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1911-07-27
CHAPTER VI.


stepped early the next morning had
been transformed into 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, a
magnificent apartment under any cir
cumstances. had been lavishly decor
ated with the fragrant evergreen In
honor OF Christmas.
The storm of the night had blown
itself out with the advent of the day.
1t was brilliant. sunshiny morning.
The air was clear as bell and very
crisp and cold. Miss Haldane knew
this; for. finding the hall deserted on
her entrance. without more ado she
went out through the vestibule and
stepped on the porch, surveying the
blue waters of the sound tossing gaily
beyond the ice crust that lined the
shore in front Of her. The cold and
brisk breeze brought glorious touch
of red to her cheeks. She incarnated
the very spirit of youth and beauty
and happiness as she re-entered the
hall. and coming face to face with
Gormly wished him again a Merry
Christmas.
Gormly had been busy during the
night He actually had not slept a
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.
Hence Miss Haldane was under no
necessity of appearing In evening cos
tune at eight o'clock In the morning.
or OF making guy Of herself In Mrs.
Bullen's extraordinary attire. She had
learned. of course. from her maid how
the news had been brought and how
sue udppcucu " NC tuCfS Win Tue
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 Is
the room; how good 1t smells!" she
said after the first 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-
ny Christmas and Happy New Year
as WELL"
And will give you back your wish
with interest" returned Miss Haldane,
"as did last night. l am 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. 1t must have been hard
riding
1T took me back to boyhood days.
Miss Haldane."
I'm the west?" asked the girl.
well. yes" waL the somewhat re-
luctant answer. although the greater
part Of my boyhood was not spent In
the west"
And this ride In the storm, was 1t
like the other rides and storms you
have experiencedT 3
This was very mild affair COM
pared to those. ! could wish 1t had
been harder"
''Whyg"
This time was riding for another
woman. different woman"
Miss Haldane rather thrilled to the
direct statement: but womanlike she
changed the subject She was inter-
ested in Gormly. nothing else.
DID you nave this Christmas ar
rangeTent Of pines made In the hall?"
She asked irrelevantly.
For you-and your party" inter-
posed Gornnly with perceptible break
after the pronoun so as to allow the
fact to permeate thoroughly. Il WISH"
he added. that circumstances permit
ted me to signalize the season by Of
fering you an adequate Christmas
present.
y have. however. something that