The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1911-12-19

following certain landmarks contained
In written directions he carried. But
all landmarks were obliterated now by
the darkness.
An errand OF kindness was bringing
him to this strange country Of broken
hills and level plains. He had never
been in Montana before, and the shrill
her canyons made no music for him.
He was now beginning to realize that
his journey might end in death He
shrugged his broad shoulders at his
own danger, but he was sorry for
young Andy Belcher.
Bert Stillman was young Chicago
lawyer. and his defense Of Andy
Belcher in shooting case had saved
that reprobate's life. but there stretched
before the youth term of years in
prison There was only brief ten
days before Andy would begin to serve
his sentence. and he had begged to see
his father before he left. A telegram
to old Frank Belcher had been unan-
swered. and because of his client .
agony Of mind Stillman had shut up
his ONCE and taken train for Missoula
In the vicinity of which the Belcher
ranch was located
He had travelled for whole day In
the storm only to lose his way at last.
Now he was without horse-a city
man in wild winter swept country
There is hghtY he almost shouted
Straight ahead through the thick
darkness there appeared a reddish
glow. AS he neared it 1t took the form
Of star and seemed to guide him on
his way across the trackless snow
Perhaps it Is Belcher's place. or 1t
may be nearby. At any rate, | can
| probably get horse and drive over or
send word to the old man" Bert Still
man set his face against the cold wind
and wrapped the blanket over his
head.
All at once a thought struck him
with sudden force 1t was Christmas
eve.
Now he smiled as he thought of the
dreary Christmas eve he was spend
ing, so different from any other he had
ever experienced.
II guess that's my Christmas star
he said to himself Its surely point
ing the way to safety for me. and it's
furthering matters so that | can get
Frank Belcher TO his son. ! imagine
| that's all that matters now"
When he finally staggered up to a
low, comfortable ranch house almost
hidden by the drifts of snow he was
nearly exhausted from cold and the
effort Of propelling his weary body
through the deep drifts.
The light shone through an incur
tanned window and sent q draft OF
brilliance across the snow.
my Christmas starr he muttered
| as he sank unconscious against the
door Of the house.
'My Christmas starr he murmured
later when he looked up into the dark
starry eyes of a lovely girl who bent
above him.
"Whyr'- she stammered, starting
back and looking over her shoulder at
a tall bearded man who was mixing
something hot in tumbler
what isit dear? Is he conscious2"
asked the man. coming forward
"Yes. father" The girl shrank away
and leaned against the wall. out Of
sight Of Stiliman's wondering eyes.
Feeling betterY asked the man, set
ting steaming glass against Still
mans lips.
Yes. thanks-just tired out-lost my
horse back here-very sleepy Still
mans eyes closed and he went to
sleep.
| When he awoke again the girl was
sitting beside his couch. One elbow
rested on her knee to steady the aim
Of the pistol that was pointed directly
| at his head
"Please don't move" she said quiet
ly. II have orders to shoot you II
you STIR"
Stillman stared back into her lovely
dark eyes shining steadily beneath
her pure white brow. above which
the sDft DARK SIbt haE vas parted to drooD
he saw the softly lighted back
ground of the room. and from the
utter stiffness Of the place he felt
! that be was alone With the girl In