Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1912-12-20
CHRISTMAS IN
RAINBOW CANYON
BY ADDISON HOWARD GIBSON.
copyright. 1912. by American Press Asso-
ciatlonl


"a In various parts Of the Rockies.
~ where he had been trying to
forget that he was the most
miserable fellow in the west Claude
Extrum, artist unarrived," as he styl-
ed himself, turned his face toward his
lonely mountain cabin among the pines
In Rainbow canyon.
Purposely he had Stunned Denver.
declining the invitation Of two artist
friends to big Christmas reception
He did not want to run the possibility
OF meeting Aldyce. 1t would be pain
full to both, since her father had de-
nounced him as good for nothing.
fortune hunting dabbler"
Art must FIRST be mastered, the cold
critics won, then II Aldyce had not
forgotten. his great dream would be-
come sweet reality. But what II
she should forget him? There was a
capriciousness in the sex that was
quite beyond his understanding.
1t was noon when he reached the
large cabin among the pines. The first
room he visited was the studio. gay
with warm colOred Indian blankets and
the walls covered with sketches by his
own brush and a few copies OF the
masters, On his easel was an unfin-
tshed picture, just as he had left II
when he went away in the latter part
of October. He drew aside the cloth.
brushed off the dust and looked long
into fhn lunUhtun -
lovely girl. Underneath was penciled
the name "Aldyce"
With a deep drawn breath he re-
placed the cover and went into the
kitchen. In the large zinc lined pro-
vision box he found that Joe Clark, the
prOspector who had looked after the
cabin during Claude's absence, had
obeyed his instructions by leaving a
sack Of -four, some beans. sugar, part
Of ham and dried venison.
Now I'll have a supper after my
own appetite" he declared. making a
! fire in the little stove.
Presently pot of beans. with piece
| Of ham to give flavor, WAS bubbling
away, filling the room with its savory
steam. Then Claude swept the floors.
wiped the accumulated dust off the
simple furniture and proceeded to make
a lonely house look comfortable.
II must decorate to be In spirit with
the season. he said. after scanning
walls and una dorned mantel shelf.
BY the time the young man returned
| with hio full ~ Haonrottnn n
cold wind was racing down the pass,
driving a steadily increasing fall Of
snow and sleet before It,
Gee. Old Boreas is sending me some
Christmas weather with all the frills. "
he soliloquized. making run for the
shelter OF the cabin.
Claude had scarcely put the last OF
the mountain holly on the walls and
built cheerful big fire in the fire
place In the studio when the door burst
open. letting in a dash OF snow. In the
midst of which stood a slender youth
in furry overcoat and cap, with huge
goggles over his eyes.
We'll. can't you come in and shut
the door," demanded the artist impa
tiently as he stared at the apparition
before him.
II must look like I'm posing as old
Santa, don't II" laughed the boy. Then
with start of recognition, "Claudt
Extrum. as | live and whistle!" Suit
ing the action to the word, he gave
vent TO prolonged whistle.
The artist grew red and white by
turns as he recognized the boy. II
was the sixteen-year-old brother OF
AIdyce!
Hal Banniersr' he cried. Where
did you drop from?"
From the snow Clouds" answered
the youth, hugging the surprised artist
This is some luck. all right, finding
shelter, and just think of its being your
mountain retreat. Aldyce is out there
In the car The machine broke down
just below your cabin"
"Aldyce In the car out in this storm
cried Claude, buttoning up his coat and
rushing to the door.
Yes. We were ON our way to Fra
zier's, up Bear canyon" Hal shouted
his explanation as he chung to his com
panion's arm through the snowy gale
| THE Fraziers are giving an old fash
Toned Christmas eve party at their
| ranch house You know Aldyce and
Dell Frazier were great pals at school
so Aldyce was bound to go to the par.
ty. | was sure | knew the road there
but this snow came on so suddenly |
was a little confused where the roads
fork Aldyce insisted this was the right
way, so We came up the wrong can
yon."
The artist paid scant heed to young
Banners explanation. AS they sturdily
breasted the keen, snow burdened wind
toward the crinDlRd car he was think
ing what a strange prank fate had
played on him. He had wanted to bury
himself In his mountain cabin, sixty
five miles away from Aldyce, and here
she was, snOwbound at his door.
The wrecked automobile in the snow
tempest looked like red rock half
buried in raging whitecaps near
stormy shore In the back seat sat