The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1911-12-01

iutted out to the south. There was
window here filled with red geraniums
and the brilliant color seemed to inn
part warmth to his benumbed body,
| The steps had been swept clear OF
snow and he was careful to scrapo his
/ boots before he knocked at the door.
The whirring of a 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.
"We thought 1t might be the express
man" added Anne in explanation.
'fm sorry to disappoint you said
Loring courteously as he barred his
head. CAS- a matter Of fact, came to
beg a nights lodging. I have rather
a bad knee and it's gone back on me
in the midst of a 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 many fires as we used to keep, but
you're welcome to sit and get
thawed out"
Robert Loring entered the low
ceiled sitting-room where a small CYL
inder stove gave forth welcome heat
in the center of the room. The cor
ners seemed chill and duslSy, 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 1t huge work basket
overnowing 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
a 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.
ut does seem an imposition for me
to drop ip on you in this manner, but
as ! was explaining"
ut will be no trouble at all. Grace
will be glad to make you a cup of cof-
fee"
The fair-haired girl hastened 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 watching
the young girls graceful movements
was suddenly impressed by a painful
fact His hostesses were unmistak-
ably poor The girl had shaken the
last grains of coffee into the pot and
filling it with cold water placed it 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 |
gies upon his lips. Just then the door |
opened to admit Miss Anne mufled in |
shawl and hood and trembling with I
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-that-he's gone!" Her
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's
shoulder Are you sure? Why he
was there not half hour ago because
l looked at him. How do you suppose
be got away?"
81 guess somebody has taken him
he was so fat, too, Grace" Miss Annie
sank down in a chair and slowly re-
moved her wraps. ooh, dear, I'm
afraid your coffee will get cold. Sit
down and eat your supper, sir"
THANK you" said Loring, as he