Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-12-04
over little pink ears.

oNSA Atoc piuh cars.
He saw the softly lighted back
ground of the room. and from the
utter stiffness of the place he felt
that he was alone with the girl In
the house. Something must have hap
pened to the bearded man-or-Still-
mans hand moved to grope for his
vest. which had been removed, but an
ominous click stayed his hand.
May I speak?" he asked impa-
tiently.
She nodded slightly.
what have 1 done that you should
threaten mel Where is my vestT
my father took your vest over to
Belcher's-you probably understand the
rest"
81 understand it less than ever. I
was on my way to Belcher's when 1
saw your light-it shone like a Christ
mas star, and so came for shelter.
and this Is what getr'
The girl stirred uneasily. MY faith
er is deputy sheriff Of this county"
she said, after q little pause. I'VE
recognized you from the description
that was sent to him. You are Andy
Belcher," she said conclusively.
ANDY nothingr' was Stillman's
quick retort. MY name is Stillman,
and am on my way to Belcher's
farm to break the news to the old
man that his boy wants to see him
before he begins a long sentence in
the penitentiary, and
ANDY Belcher escaped" said the
girl quickly, still watching him doubt
fully.
"Escaped2 Then it is since left
Chicago. three or four days ago." cried
Stillman, with disappointment. well.
your father can take his time satisfy
ing himself about my identity. My
Job is over"
There was long silence after that,
and the girl sat there watching him
with an uneasy light in her eyes. o.
casionally she cast swift glance to-
ward the stove, where something was
cooking. Stillman detected a delicious
odor, elusively remindful of his boy
hood
what are you making-mincemeat?"
he asked hungrily.
Yes. Tomorrow's Christmas, you
know"
81 hope it is. Hope I'm not interior
ing with your preparations"
Not very much" she admitted, with
friendly little smile that made her
face the most adorable Stillman had
ever seen. Father shot q wild tur-
key yesterday, and that is ready to
roast. but l was late with the mince
pies because the raisins didn't come
until the evening stage"
~ shall have some sort of a Christ
mas after ALL" muttered Stillman
hopefully - hope your father will
remain in doubt of my identity until
after that turkey and mince pie have
been sampled"
Thudding across the snow came the
sound Of horses feet. one or two ami
mails. and they pounded to a stand
still before the door.
The door opened presently, and two
men entered. one the tall, bearded IA
Their of the pretty girl and the other a
short, lean little man with a weakened
face peering from the folds of 4 red
wooden muffier.
81 believe you will find your son
here, Mr.. Belcher." said the deputy
sheriff kindly. The girl moved away.
lifting one hand to her pretty white
throat as If some unexpected emotion
had suddenly assailed her.
Frank Belcher came forward, peered
into Stillman's frank. open counte-
nance and shook his head. THAT
amt Andy" he quavered in a disap-
pointed tone. ~ never see this Teller
before, but he looks some like my boy
I'm ashamed to say it, but he looks
honester"
) Then Stiliman found an opportunity
to tell his story, and when it was con-
cluded he was permitted to rise and
join the party unmolested. Frank
Belcher refused to believe that his son
had committed any great crime and
finally rode obstinately away toward
| his ranch. Later it was learned that
the escaped son overlook his father
that night, and together they went to
: their home, provisioned themselves and
fed over the border into Canada.
where they remained for many years.
This unexpected denouement to his
philanthropic errand was the means
of bringing Bert Stillman the greatest
{ happiness he had ever known. He
spent Christmas with the Grays, ia
Their and daughter, and the three part
ed with a warmer feeling than mere
friendship when Stillman returned to
Chicago.
Star Gray-that was her name
proved to be Stillman's Christmas star
after all, for they fell in love with
each other that strange Christmas
eve, and before another season rolled
around they were married. But each
Christmas they go out to the Montana
ranch to spend a few days. And on
Christmas eve Star places a lamp In
the window so that her husband may
see it as he approaches the house.
my Christmas Star" he always
cries as be takes her in his arms at
the door.