The Ordway new era., 1912-12-27

dusk of the Canadian woods was thicl
with great, white, swirling flakes
that blinded the eyes and confused
the senses of the weary traveller. a.
be struggled through the dim aisle
ct the forest. Having lost the trail
tic man had wandered far. and now
vas weary and dcspairing. His
breath was short and thick. while hi
limbs stiffened and numbed with the
cold, refused to carry him farther
With a deep sigh, as OF one who had
lcst all hope. he sank heavily III the
bow at the foot of a great pine tree
p he lay there a strange warmncss
I'D comfort seemed to steal over
hm. The thought came to him. i'll a
6lf conscious way. that it was
Christmas Eve. Then he wondered
lily how it would seem to be back
\ the old home city tomorrow. He
ck,ld see the glitter of the lights, the
|. stlc and hurry of the Christmas
thongs. some with great wealth OF
hbpincss and well being in their
lies. while in other, the bitterness
OF despair. Then he fancied he was
al hid again, listening to his mother.
I'shc told him the story of the little
oc in the manager. Then again he
Us dancing in brilliantly lighted
vi room with fair. young girl.
tom he had fanccd was true TO him
lie perfume OF many flowers seemed
ttsteal into his nostrils. As upon that
'Eht a year ago. while the music and
lighter seemed to ring in his ears.
3idcnly. upon the stiffness of the
int. a clear, sweet laugh rang out.
man reused himself from his
lam.
NO." he muttcrcd. "it can't be
lone. It's only an evil spirit mock
me in my despair. Yet. it sound
ike girls happy laugh" Again
laugh sounded clearer and strong
Il bn account OF the mans straining
1t is someone he cried. As
bugh the falling snow. dull. yell
n glow appeared. as the light from
Il hbin window. Hope sprang up
IRE him. and life held out alluring
Il is. But when he tried to shout.
stiffcncd lips refused, and his
IS seemed paralyzcd.
ct in some way. that he never un-
TODD. he found himself lying on
in. before a roaring fire. with a
4 and man STOPPING over him. That
glance into the girls face burnt
ITO his brain. The heavy waves
u usky hair falling from the broad,
u c brow. down upon the Shout
ii and breast: the great brown
81 the delicate lines of the throat
al warmly tinted cheek; the curve
okhe crimson lips. and the mould
ofhe firm, gentle hands were all
4 t,sy impressed upon MIN. Surely
e was a wanderer here like him
". Quickly he. was revived and fed.
Ne was the only girl or woman
ere, all the Others were the men
.pical OF the northern lumber camps.
he long. low cabin room was hung
it'll fir and cedar boughs. while the
rilliant red OF the wild berries to be
,und in the woods cleaned on every
de. Great heaps of nuts lay. upon
,c hearth. and the odor OF baking
nd roasting came from the adJoin,
10 room. vi. as the men all called
or. in a pctting way. hurried here and
,erc. directing the decorations ana
king charge of the cooking while
,c stranger ate his supper. Al! the
zen seemed overjoyed at the slightest
chest from her.
Ralph Norris watched the dainty.
l,nost fragile girl. among the rough
ncouth men. with great interest.
Zone seemed to bear her any KIN
hip, yet all plainly loved and revcr
need her. All was bright with good
hcer and happiness. AS the evening
dvanccd the girl grew little rest
ess and finally said with a sigh;
q wish father would come. he SAID nc
would be back for Christmas. put !
I'M afraid he won't So her father
vas one OF them. that explained heI
presence there. The stranger anu
h, Iumbcrmcn were by TINS tune
,u;tc well acquainted. He mad tN-
,lained his presence at their camp ny
saving that he had started early III 'nt
norn:~: {, ON the small town o,
Singing Water to the camp OF scared
Pine. but had lost his way and oeins
exhausted and cold had fallen IN INC
snow to die when the sound OF VS.
laugh had attracted his attention &c
the cabin. c,,s
we're complete. ana 'n'
men sat smoking and talkin". Vi sa
in the midst OF them. gazing INTO 'h'
FIRE. as she listened to their tales ah'
gossip. Presently Jim. the oldest o
The men. said to her in the pccu''a
accent OF the North woods:
Run get your guitar. Honey. AM
sine rs n song" She rose and open
inc a door, revealed tiny, room sh !,
rds;med as all her own. She brough
out an instrument WHICH was of a
oiI stylc but which Norris at one
recognized as being of excellent ! work o. 4
m;nship. The tone was r' en- 'n str; nn'r.
The song she sang stirred old meme
rio; in the strangers heart. for it wa a
ar ar had sung to him years ago. Whc
the song was finished the men CT
no. speak. for some time. put T rho
sat busy with his own tho"en.S ID
Tho stranger turned to her and aske"
"\vherc did Won get that 'nstr,l
,ont and who taught you that song
"Eathcr gave me the guitar on III