Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1911-12-29
CHAPTER VI.


The hall into which Miss Haldane
been transformed into a perfect bower
OF winter beauty. There had been no
time to buy anything; but the most
available pine trees On the place. of
which there were several, had been
ruthlessly sacrificed, and under CORN
ly's personal supervision the hall, a
magnificent apartment under any cir
cumstances, had been lavishly decor
ated with the fragrant evergreen in
honor of Christmas.
Gormly had been busy during the
night He actually had not slept a
wink. 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
early in the morning.
Hence Miss Haldane was under no
necessity of appearing in evening cos
tune at eight o'clock in the morning,
or of making a guy of herself in Mrs.
Bullens 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 Haldane had not slept very
we'll for one reason her thoughts had
dwelt INCREASINGLY upon that strange
conversation she had had with her
host. She had awakened earlier than
She rest, had dressed Immediately, and
had descended to the hall in hope of
seeing him. Her pleasure and salts
faction sparkled in her eyes as she
extended her hand.
How delightfully."- Christmas Ike is
the room; how good it smelIs!" she
said after the first words of greeting.
Il am glad indeed that it pleases
you" answered Gormly, smiling. And
if you will permit me, | will repeat my
words Of last night, or early this morn
ing, and wish you again very Mer-
ry Christmas and a Happy New Year
as we'll"
And | will give you back your wish
with interest" returned Miss Haldane,
las | did last night. | am sure that
we are all intensely grateful to you for
your fOrethOught i'll having the maids
and clothes brought over. Felice, my
maid, has told me that you rode over
yourself very early this morning to
carry the news of our plight, and to
bring them. 1t must have been hard
riding
ut took me back to boyhood days,
Miss Haldane."
I'm the west?" asked the girl.
well, yes" was the somewhat re-
luctant answer although the greater
part of my boyhood was not spent in
the west
And this ride in the storm, was it
like the other rides and storms you
have experienced"
This was a very mild affair com
pared to those. / could wish it had
OGGA AdluSI
"Why?"
This time | was riding for another
woman, a different woman"
Miss Haldane rather thrilled to the
direct statement; but womanlke she
changed the subject
Did you have this Christmas ar
rangement of pines made in the hall?"
She asked irreleVantly.
For you-and your party" inter-
posed GOrmly with a perceptible break
after the pronoun SO as to allow the
fact to permeate thoroughly. Il wish, "
he added, that circumstances permit
ted me to signalize the season by Of
fering you an adequate Christmas
present.
Il have, however, something that
may possibly interest you, which l
may venture to hope you may regard
as a personal tribute from me in lieu
of such a gift
And what is that?" asked Miss