Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1911-07-29
CHAPTER vi.


The hall into which Miss Haldane
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,
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.
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
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
i o%alxv
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
It 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 a Happy New Year
as WE'LL
And 1 will give you back your wish
with interest" returned Miss Haldane
las l did last night. l am sure thai
we are all intensely grateful to you fol
your forethought in having the maids
and clothes brought over. Felice, my
maid, mas lOlQ me lQaI you RODE OVGl
yourself very early this morning tt
carry the news of our plight, and Il
bring them. II must have been hare
riding
1T took me back to boyhood days
Miss Haldane."
In the west?" asked the girl.
well, yes wa the somewhat re
luctant answer, although the create
part of my boyhood was not spent il
the west.
And this ride in the storm, was
like the other rides and storms yo
have experienced -
This was a very mild affair con
pared to those / could wish 1t ha
been harder"
--Whye''
This time 1 was riding for anothe
woman, a different woman"
Miss Haldane rather thrilled to tn
direct statement; but womanlike sh
changed the subject
Did you have this Christmas a
rangement of pines made in the hail1
She asked irrelevantly.
For you-and your party" int
posed Gormly with g perceptible brea
after the pronoun SO as to allow Ii
fact to permeate thoroughly Il wish
ne added. that circumstances permi
ted me to signalize the season by @
fering you an adequate Christms
present
u have. however. something thi
may possibly interest you. which
may venture to hope you may regar
as a personal tribute from me in lie
of such a gift
And what In that?" asked Mi