The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1912-12-26

| % V, oStkc
HELP. HELPr' SHE CRIED IN MOCK
| TERROR
lin? I'm getting cold" she reminded
him. "Pcrhaps you want me to freeze
stiff and stark out here so you can have
real model for a famous painting en-
titled Frozen In Motorcar.' she
laughed lightly.
| Without word in reply she felt her
self lifted in the mans strong arms
The next second be was hurrying her
away to the cabin.
| Help. help" she called in mock ter
ror Hal. bring the suit cases. The
| mountain brigand is carrying cef your
sister"
Claude Extrum deposited his guest in
| q great easy chair in front of the blaZ-
| ing pine log on the fireplace. Then he
helped her remove her wraps. Present.
| ly she sat back quite at her ease. her
handsomely shod feet on an improvised
| footstool, while her face glowed in the
| dancing freight.
! What are you cooking, Claude. that
smells so tarnation good?" demanded
| Hal. shifting robustly as he found a
place for the suit cases in an unoccu-
! pied corner of the studio.
| Not a Christmas turkey, you young
astronomer" answered Claude. his
somberness leaving him under the
merry mood of his two unexpected
guests. IFS heans-pure, unadulter-
ated BEANS" he added. with tragic air
This is a regular bean soup even
ing" observed Aldyce. "Iin sure !
shall enjoy it,
| Il want the largest bowl in your
! china collection" ordered Hal. assist
| ing the artist to sift -four for the bis
.uits Mature has endowed me with
A big sized attachment for bean soup.
The pot is full said Claude. lifting
the lid to give the boy peep. but II
YOU advise an extension we might
bring the wash boiler into service.
1t WAS merry meal to which they
sat down as the early dusk Of Christ
mas eve began to creep into the rustic
studio. Hal declared the bean soup
was nectar, and Aldyce herself pinned
| up her sleeves and made delicious cot
| fee. But the reaction came to Claude
at the close of the feast. He suddenly
| pushed back his chair from the table
and sat moodly staring into the crunl
, bling embcrs on the hearth.
Aldyce regarded the young mans
clouded countenance for short time
in silence, a mysterious twinkle in her
dark eyes Then she arose and walked
over to the window.
"Hal," she called to her brother.
who showed symptoms of doing in his
| chair 1.-The SHOW has almost stopped
| | want you to 20 out and see II the
':lr is still properly covered.
With yawn the young fellow obey
| I'd whiStling merrily as he trudged
| down the canyon.
Quickly Aldyce opened her suit case.
! took out a long envelope and laid it
before the artist
"A Christmas gift for you" she said
simply, the mysterious smile now ur k
| ing at the corners Of her mouth open
It, Claude"
He obeyed and crisp check for
$4,000 dropped into his hand. Then he
| read the accompanying note:
Dear Old Pal-The Enclosed check Is Tor
| your painting. IRA Inflow Canyon In Sum-
mer sold to the famous art collector,
Mr. Stevens Of New York He wants the
wi
| He says to be prepared for some orders
| from his friends Merry Christmas!
LAWRENCE.
"Aldyce, how did you learn | was
| here!" he asked. moving toward her
Lawrence told me. was in the
studio when Mr.. Stevens bought your
picture on exhibition there. He was
so happy for you be let out your Sc
| cret that you were coming here to bury
yourself for the holidays" she replied
Then planned NJ
She hesitated. blnshed, looking at
him with laughing eyes. So.
| Dell Fraziers party" be finished
boldly IT..
How dare you insinuate that fab
| the good news of your fortune?" she
| tainted him. assuming a tone of in
jury. s
He sprang toward her. With a little
cry Of feigned fright she eluded him.
but stopped under the hanging lamp.
where dangling spray Of mistletoe
touched her hair Then he kissed her
Eternal Fitness.
What is the name Of your new
novel; N. sss
The Dungeon Good, gloomy title,
eh?" 5as3s
eyes. That name alone ought 70 get
the book among the six best cellers I
|s-Nilwaukes Journal. u .sss