The Julesburg grit-advocate., 1911-10-05
CHAPTER VI.

The hail into which Miss Haldane
slapped early the nsxt morning had
been transformed into . perfect bower
q 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
ruthlsssly sacrificed. and under Corn
vs. personal supervision the hall.
magnificent apartment under any cir
cumstancss. had been lavishly decor
atsd with the fragrant evergreen In
honor of Christmas.
Gormly had been busy during the
aight He actually had not slept .
WAX. So soon ~ 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
HaldAns place Of the predicAmsnt Of
the family and to arrange that maids
Ia men with proper clothing should
~ 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 = guy Of herself in Mrs.
Bullen's extraordinary attire. She had
learned, of course. from her maid how
the news had been brought and how
she happened to b there with the
change Of apparel.
Miss Haldane had not slept very
we'll: for one reason her thoughts had
dwelt unceasingly upon that strange
convsrsation she had had with her
host She had awakened earlier than
the rest. had dressed Immediately. and
had descended to the hall In hope Of
seeing him. Her pleasure and salts
faction sparkled in her eyes a. she
extended her hand.
How delightfully."- Christmasliks 10
the room; how good It smells!" she
said after the first words Of greeting.
Il am glad indeed that it pleases
you" answered Gormly. smiling. And
II you will permit me. will repeat my
words Of last night or early this morn
ing. and wish you again 4 very Mer.
n Christmas and 4 Happy New Year
~ we'll"
And will give you back your wish
with interest" returned Miss Haldane,
"as did last night. am sure that
We are all intensely grateful to you for
your forsthought in having tho maids
and clothes brought over. Felice. my
Aaid, has told me that you rode over
y rsslf very early this morning to
e!3y the news Of our plight, and to
bring them. It must have been hard
riding"
1T took ms bank to boyhood GAy.,
Miss Haldans.-
In the wsst!" asked the girl
well. yes." wa the somewhat ~
iuctant answer, although the greater
part Of my boyhood was not spent In
the west"
And this ride In the storm, was It
nks the other rides and storms you
have experisnced?
This was very mild affair COM
pared to those. I could wish It had
bssn harder"
Why"
woman, Q different woman"
Miss Aaldane rather thrilled b the
direct statement: but wonanlfks she
changed the subject.
did you have this Christmas ar
fangemsnt ot pines made IN the hAur'
She asked irrelevanuy.
Tor you-and your party" inter
posed Gormly with = psrosptibls break
after the pronoun 70 - to allow the
fact to permeats thoroughly. Il wish."
he added, that circumstances permit
ted me to signalize the season by Of
fsring you an adequate Christmas
present.
81 have. however. something that
may possfbly interest you, which
may venture to hope yos nay regard
a. . personal tribute tom ne IN lisu
Of such q gift"
"And what u eAaer aAksd MIas