Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1912-12-11
CHRISTMAS In
RAINBOW CANYON
BY ADDISON HOWARD GIBSON.
copyright. 1872. by American Press Asso
ciatiOnl

copyright, 1872. by American Press Asso-
ciation.l
a FTER Sketching for two months
"a in various parts of the Rockies
"a 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 a big Christmas reception
He did not want to run the possibility
of meeting Aldyce. 1t would be pain
ful to both. since her father had de
npurced him as a good for nothing,
fortune hunting dabbIer.
Art must first be mastered. the cold
critics won, then if 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 IN orstanding
1t was noon wht he reached the
large cabin among pines The first
room he visited was the studio, gay
with warm co!ored Indian blankets and
the walls covered with sketches by his
own brush and d few copies of the
mnSters. On his easel was an unEn-
ished picture. just as be had left it
when he went away in the latter part
Of IN = In oIn
brushed off the dust and looked long
into the laughing brown eyes of a
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 Claudp's absence, had
Obeyed his instructions by leaving a
sack of -four. some beans. sugar. part
Of a tam und dried venison
Now I'll have a supper after my
own appetite" he declared. making
fire in the little stove
Presently pot of beans with piece
of ham to give flavor. was bubbling
away filing the room with its savory
steam. Then Claude swept the floors
wiped the accumulated dust off the
simple furniture and proceeded to make
lonely house look comfortable.
Il 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 his arms full Of decorations a
cold wind was racing down the pass.
driving a steadily increasing fall Of
snow and s!eet before it
Gee! Old R0reaS is sending me some
Christmas weather with all the frills,"
he soliloQuiZed. rlaking a run for the
shelter of the cabin,
Claude had scarcely put the last Of
the mountain holly on the walls and
built a cheerful big fire in the fire,
place i'm the studio when the door burst
open. letting in dash of snow, i'll 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.
Il must look like I'm posing as old
Santa, don't 2" laughed the boy. Then.
with start of recognition. Claude
Extrum, as live and whistler" Suit
ing the action to the word. he gave
vent TO a prolonged whistle
The artist grew red and white BY
turns as he recognized the boy. 1t
was the sixteen-year-old brother of
Aldyce!
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. fnG.--