Catoctin clarion., 1911-12-21

we're 06rkly SketCneu h6aihse 'Ao
bright blue sky. A thin spiral OF
smoke drifted up from the big chin
ney and shimmered away into moth
ingness.
I.oring tramped wearily up the path
snd turned the corner by the clump
of lockwood where little side porch
iutted out to the south. There was
window here filed with red gerapiums
and the brilliant color seemed to i,A-
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 tie door,
The whirring of sewing machine
stopped suddenly and quick STEPS
came across the floor. The door hew
open and revealed two faces; that OF
Miss Anne. timidly expectant, and tire
fair face OF the young girl hopeful
knd eager.
"Oh!" they cried in unison and their
voices betrayed bitter disappointment.
I'VE thought it might be the express
man" added Anne In explanation.
I'm sorry to disappoint you" said
Lor.ng courteously as he barred LIS
head. AS a matter Of fact, ! came to
bex a nights lodging. have rather
q bad knee and It's gene back on me
In the midst Of q long tramp. ! won:
der"
Come in." interrupted Anne hos
uitably. Its bitter cold out to-day
and the drifts are awful. We haven't
ss many fire. as We used to keep, but
you're welcome to sit and g.t
thawed out"
Robert Loring entered the low
ceiled sittingroom where small cyl
inder stove gave. forth welcome heat
In the center Of the room. Tie cor
ners seemed chill and dusky. but In
the circle OF warmth from the stove It
was very comfortable. A sewing ma.
chine was drawn within the magic
circle and there was low rocking
chair and beside it a huge work basket
overnowing with bright bits OF silk.
Anne pushed a big rocking chair
close to the stove and motioned Lor-
Ing into 1t. Sit close to the fire and
get thawed out. Grace, will fetch you
q glass Of currant wine-or maybe
you'd rather have cup OF coffee!"
She beamed Hospitality at Lin over
steel-bowed spectacles that were the
color of her silvery hair.
II would say coffee II it were not
80 much trouble," hesitated Loring.
1T does seem an imposition for ne
to drop In on you in this manner, but
As was explaining
1T will be no trouble at all. Grace
will be glad to make you cup OF cof-
fee"
The fair-hairsd girl hastened to
tiny cupboard and brought out small
canister and a coffee pot. Miss Anne,
excusing herself for moment. roe
and left the room. Loring watching
the young girls graceful movements
was suddenly impressed by painful
fact. His hostesses were unmistak-
ably poor. The girl had shaken the
last grains Of coffee into the pot and
filling II with cold water placed 1t on
the top @: the cylinder stove. Then
she stepped 10 and fro from oupboard
to table. laying meal on snowy
cloth. There were fresh bread ard
butter baked apples and some slices
of cold ham.
When she had invited him to sit
down, Loring arose with many apollo
l. IL, Rp, Incy a
opened to admit Miss Anne mutiied in
shaw 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
pened9 That-that--he's gone!' Her
thin hands. aew to- her face and tire
tears trickled between her fingers.
"Oh, Aunt Anne" The girl threw
her arm; around, the older woman's
sAoulder. Are. you sure? Why he
WAS there not q half hour ago because.
! looked at him. How do you suppose
he got away?"
Il guess somebody has taken him
he was SO fat. too. Grace Miss Annie
sank down in q. chair and slowly re-
moved her wraps. "Oh. dear, I'm
afraid your coffee will get cold. Sit
down. and eat your supper. SIR"
THANK you" said Loring, as he
obeyed. II hope you are not in
trouble, Miss Anne? Is there anything
that | can do to make things right?"
Miss Anne surveyed him with ap-
proving eyes. All at once her eyes
wrinkled pleasantly and she began to
laugh. DO you think you can dis
cover who stole the white rooster We
were going to have for our Christmas
dinner? / had him penned up safely
and just went out now to have lock
at him and he Is goLe-the hen house
Is empty"
THAT is too bad. Can't catch an
other one for yeu or Was the willie
rooster especially fatened for the &c.
easion?" asked Loring.
Miss Anne hesi. ed and looked ut
her niece Dut tie girl busted with
her bright silks did not lift her eyes;
faint color glowed IN her cheeks
There isn't another; chicken about
the place." said Miss Anne biuntly. Il
may as well say, str, that 1t was tho
last Of my f1ock; lat's why IT isga~ dis,
appointment to me
Loring arose from his chair and
reached for ifis oysrcoat. Then It's