Dewey County advocate. [volume] (Timber Lake, S.D.) 1910-1913, 1911-09-15
CHAPTER vi.

GoTmIy ANNOUNCES IT'S CaHQIudCys
The hall into which Miss Haldane
stepped early the next morning had
been transformed into q perfect bower
Of winter beauty. There had been nc
time to buy anything; but the most
available pine trees on the place, OF
ruthlessly sacrificed, and under CORN.
ly's personal supervision the hall, q
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 80, 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.
Bhlsn's 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
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 it smells!" she
said after the first words of greeting
Il am glad indeed that it pleases
you," answered Gormly, smiling. And
If you will permit me, will repeat my
words Of last night. or early this morn
ing, and wish you again a very Mer-
~ Christmas and Happy New Year
rs we'll"
"And will give you back your wish
vita :2.arest," returned Miss Haldane,
"as l did last night. l am sure that
we are all intensely grateful to you for
your forethought in having the maids
nd oil oh
maid, has told me that you rode over
yourself very early this morning to
carry the news Of our plight, and to
tring them. 1t must have been hard
riding"
1T took me back to boyhood days,
Miss Haldane."
I'm the westf' asked the girl.
well. yes" WA the somewhat re-
luctant answer. although the greater
tart of my boyhood was not spent in
ihe west"
And this ride in the storm, was 1t
Hke the other rides and storms you
have experienced?"
This was very mild affair CON-
pared to those. I could wish 1t had
Deen harder.
~Why?"
This time I was riding for another
woman, q different woman"
Miss Haldane rather thrilled to the
Mrect statement; but womanlike she
changed the subject.
did you have this Christmas ar
rangement Of pines made in the hall?'
Ehe asked irrelevantly.
For you-and your party" inter.
posed Gormly with perceptible break
after the pronoun SO as to allow the
TACT to permeate thoroughly. Il wish,
hs added. that circumstances permit
ted me to signalize the season by Of.
eering you an adequate Christmas
lDossent.
Il have, however, something that
nay possibly interest you. which
may venture to hope you may regard
II a personal tribute from me in Lee
v such gift"
And what y thAtS" asked Nisa