The Springfield herald., 1911-12-22
Copyright.j


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 little side porch
jutted out to the south. There was a
window here filed 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.
1--WE thought 1t might be the express
man." added Anne in explanation.
I'm sorry to disappoint you." said
Loring courteously as he barred his
head. LAS a matter Of fact. l came to
beg a nights lodging. have rather
a 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 a small cyl
Under 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 low rocking
chair and beside 1t huge work basket
overfiowing with bright bits of silk.
Anne pushed 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
a glass of currant wine-or maybe
you'd rather have cup OF coffee?'
She beamed Hospitality at him over
steelbowed spectacles that were the
color of her silvery hair.
81 would say coffee II 1t were not
SO much trouble" hesitated Loring.
at does seem an imposition for me
to drop in on you in this manner. but
as was explaining"
ut will be no trouble at all. Grace
will be glad to make you cup OF cor
fee."
The fair-haired girl hastened to a
tiny cupboard and brought out small
canister and coffee pot. Miss Anne.
excusing herself for moment. rose
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 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
gies upon his lips. Just then the door
opened to admit Miss Anne mufiled In
shawl and hood and trembling with
agitation. She seemed to forget Lor'
ings 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
looked at him. How do you suppose
he got away7"
81 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, In
afraid your coffee will get cold. Si
down and eat your supper, sir"
Thank you." said Loring, as he
obeyed. II hope you are not II
tiOuUlS, Mlbb nuuot ID lACA q any shiLe
that l can do to make things right?'
Miss Anne surveyed him with ap
proving eyes. All at once her eye'
wrinkled pleasantly and she began tt
laugh. DO you think you can dis
cover who stole the white rooster We
were going to have for our Christina
dinner? l had him penned up safel.
and Just went out now to have lool
at him and he is gone-the hen hous'
is empty"
THAT is too bad Can't I catch an
other one for you or was the whit
rooster especially fattened for the oe
casion?" asked Loring.
Miss Anne hesitated and looked a
her niece. But the girl busted wit
her bright silks did not lift her eyes
faint color glowed In her checks.
There isn't another chicken abou
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