The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1911-12-22
Copyright

NNA/L2IIeTB2N widespread dEulS ClOIh-
H@SagSA ed in ermine and where
the crisp wind had
blown away the covering the limbs
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 clump
of lockwood where a little side porch
jutted out to the south. There was a
window here filled 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 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.
eve thought it might be the express
man." added Anne in explanation,
I'm sorry to disappoint you," said
Loring courteously as he barred his
head. GAS 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 man, Ire as we used to keep, but
you're welcome to sit and get
thawed out"
Robert Loring entered the low
ceiled sitting-room where 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 a low rocking
chair and beside it a huge work basket
overlooking with bright bits of silk.
Anne pushed a big rocking chair
close to the stove and motioned Lor-
ing into it. "Sit close to the fire and
get thawed out. Grace will fetch you
glass of currant wine-or maybe
you'd rather have a cup of coffee?"
She beamed Hospitality at him over
steel-bowed spectacles that were the
color of her silvery hair.
81 would say coffee if it were not
SO much trouble" hesitated Loring.
at does seem an imposition for me
to drop in on you in this manner, but
as l was explaining"
1T will be no trouble at all Grace
will be glad to make you a cup of cot
Fee"
The fair-haired girl fastened to a
tiny cupboard and brought out small
canister and a coffee pot. Miss Anne,
excusing herself for a moment, rose
and left the room. Loring W tching
the young girls graceful movements
was suddenly impressed by a painful
fact. His hostesses were unmtstak-
ably poor. The girl had shaken the
last grains Of coffee into the pot and
filling it with cold water placed 1t on
the top of the cylinder stove. Then
she stepped to and fro from cupboard
to table. laying a meal on a snowy
cloth. There were fresh bread and
butter, baked apples and some slices
of cold ham.
When she had invited him to sit
down. Loring arose with many apollo
door
opened to admit Miss Anne muttied In
shawl and hood and trembling with
agitation. She seemed to forget Lor
ing's presence and her words were ad
dressed to her niece,
"Grace-what do you think has hap
pened? That-thRt-he's gone! HeI
thin hands flew to her face and The
tears trickled between her fingers.
"Oh, Aunt Anne!" The girl threw
her arm around the older woman''
shoulder. Are you sure? Why hi
was there not half hour ago because
| looked at him. How do you suppose
he got away?"
81 guess somebody has taken him
he was so fat, too, Grace Miss Annie
sank down in chair and slowly re
moved her wraps. "Oh, dear, In
afraid your coffee will get cold. 81
down and eat your supper, sir"
} THANK YOU" said Loring, as h
obeyed. 81 hope you are not Il
: trouble, Miss Anne? Is there anything
, that can do to make things right?
Miss Anne surveyed him with ar
proving eyes All at once her eye
! wrinkled pleasantly and she began I
! laugh. DO you think you can dill
cover who stole the white rooster "
/ were going to have for our Christina
/ dinner? l had him penned up satei
I and just went out now to have 100
at him and he is gone--the hen nous
, Is empty"
I THAT is too bad, Can't | eaten al