The Ordway new era., 1911-08-11
CHAPTER VI.

0ormly Announces His Candidacy.
The hall into which Miss Haldane
stepped early the next morning had
been transformed into u 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. =
magnificent apartment under any cir
cumstancos. 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 q
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
Haldans 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 q 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 be there with the
change of apparel.
Miss Haldane had not slept very
well: for one reason her thoughts had
dwelt INCREASINGLY upon that strange
oonvsrsation 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."- Christmaslike 10
the room; how good 1t 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 . very Mer.
~ Christmas and a Happy New Year
- we'll"
And will give you back your wish
with interest,"" returned Miss Haldane,
''as did last night. I an sure that
we are all intensely grateful to you for
your forethousht in 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. II must have been hard
riding"
1T took me back to boyhood days,
Miss Haldane."
In the west!" asked tho girl.
well. yes." WA the somewhat 70
luctant answer. although tho 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 oom.
pared to those. I could wish It had
been harder"
Why"
This time I was riding for another
woman, q different woman"
Miss Haldane rather thrilled to the
direct statement; but womanlike she
changed tho subject
Did you have this Christmas ar.
rangement Of pines made In the hallr'
She asked irrelevanuy.
For you-snd your party" inter.
posed Gormly with q psrccptible break
after tho pronoun SO as to allow tho
faot to permeate thoroughly. Il wish."
hs added. that circumstances permit.
ted me to signalize tho season by OF.
fering you an adequate Christmas
present.
81 have. however, something that
may possibly interest you. which
may venture to hope you may regard
OF such q gift"
And what IL thatr" asked Miss