The searchlight. [volume] (Culbertson, Mont.) 1902-current, 1911-09-08
CHAPT Err VI.
oormIy Announces His Candidacy.

The hall into which Miss Haldane
stepped early the next morning had
been transformed into a perfect bower
Of winter beauty. There had been no
cline to buy anything: but the most
available pine trees on the place. Of
which there were several. had been
-uthlessly sacrificed, and under CORN
gy's personal supervision the hall, a
magnificent apartment under any cir
cumstances, had been lavishly decor
a;ed with the fragrant evergreen in
honor of Christmas.
Gormly had been busy during the
might He actually had not slept a
Tink. So soon as he had got the
party safely to bed. he had gone to
The stable, and in default of anyone
else who could do so. he had himself
ridden across the country through the
SNOW and storm. which was even then
dying out, TO notify the people at the
.Haldane place of the predicament of
The family and to arrange that maids
and men with proper clothing should
be brought over to his own cottage
~saTly in the morning.
Hence Miss Haldane was under no
aecessity of appearing in evening cos
tune at eight o'clock in the morning,
or OF making a guy of herself in Mrs.
Builen's extraordinary attire. She had
learned. of course. from her maid how
the news had been brought and how
she happened TO be there with the
change of apparel
Miss Haidane had not slept very
veil: for one reason her thoughts had
dwelt increasingly upon that strange
conversation she had had with her
aost. She had awakened earlier than
che rest. had dressed Immediately, and
lad descended to the hall In hope of
seeing him. Her pleasure and salts.
aAction sparkled in her eyes as she
ATTENDED her hand.
How delightfully."- Christmaslike Is
the room; how good II smells!" she
said after the first words OF greeting,
Il am glad indeed that IL pleases
sou." answered Gormly. smiling. And
tf you will permit me. will repeat my
words OF last night, or early this morn
Eng. and wish you again a very Mer
as we'll"
And | will give you back your wish
Sith interest" returned Miss Haldane
~as did last night. | am sure thai
ere are all intensely grateful ~ you fol
your forethought in having the maids
and clothes brought over. Felice. my
maid. has told me that you rode ovel
yourself very early this morning Il
carry the news Of our plight. and Il
bring them. II must have been har'
riding
1t took me back to boyhood days
eiiss Haldane."
In the west." asked the girl.
well, yes" wa the somewhat re
ssctant answer. although the create
srArt OF my boyhood was not spent II
the west"
And this ride IN the storm. was
Nike the other rides and storms 20
have experienced"
This was a very mild affair CON
pared to those. could wish 1t ha
Been harder"
WHY"
This time | was riding for anothe
woman, q different woman"
Miss Haldane rather thrilled TO tn
airect statement: but womanlike sh
changed the subject
did you have this Christmas a
sangement Of pines made In the hall
She asked irrelevantly.
For you-and your party" int
Sosed Cormly with psrceptible brea
sfter the prououh SO as to allow Ii
lnct to permeate thoroughly. Il wish
- added, that circumstances permi
ED me 70 signaliss the season by o
Ssring you N adequate Christms
oressat
4 have. however. something tia
oay possibly interest you. which
nay venture 70 hope you may regaf
- . personal tribute from me In lie
- 49, . G1els
.An1 vhae y tAatT asked Nil