The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1911-10-13
CHAPTER W.

Gormly Announces His Candidacy.
The hall into which Miss Haldane
stepped early the next morning had
been transformed into q 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
r%uthlessly sacrificed, and under CORN
ly's personal supervision the hall. .
magnificent apartment under any cir
cumstances. had been lavishly decor
honor Of Christmas.
Gormly had been busy during the
night. He actually had not slept =
wink. So loon as he had got the
party safely to bed. he had gone to
the stable, and in default Of anyone
else who could do 70. 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 a 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
she happened to be there with the
change of apparel.
Miss Haldane had not slept very
we'll; 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 IL
the room; how good it smells!" she
laid after the first words of greeting.
Il am glad indeed that it pleases
fou." answered Gormly, smiling. And
Il you will permit me, l will repeat my
words OF last night, or early this morn
ing, and wish you again q very Mer-
~ Christmas and q Happy New Year
a. we'll"
And will give you back your wish
WITH :3.orest," returned Miss Haldane,
"as l did last night. / 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
wiring them. It must have been hard
Nding."
1T took me hack to boyhood days,
Miss Haldane."
In the west!' sAked the girl.
Well, yes." WA the somewhat re-
nctant answer, although the greater
tart Of my boyhood was not spent In
de west"
And this ride In the storm. was It
IKE the other rides and storms you
lave experienced"
This wa . very mild AFFAIR COM
oarsd to those. ! could wish 1t had
loen harder"
WHY
This time l va riding for another
goman, Q different woman"
Miss Haldans rather thrilled to the
Direct statement; but womanlike she
changed the subject.
did you have this Christmas ar
sangement Of pines made In the hau?'
She asked irralevantly.
For yGu-and ysur party" inter
Dosed 0ormly with = perceptble break
liter tho pronoun % - to allow the
tact to permeats thoroughly. II wish"
y added, that circumstances permit
ted me to signaliss the season By a.
sering you q adequate Christmas
UoeeaG
4 have, however. somsthing that
ny possibly i1tsrest you. which !
cay venture 70 hope you may regard
. personal trib1As from me- n lis&
such Z g1ft"
49, - AA~Aap ~A>A 49,