Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1912-12-20

with warm cofored Indlan D1anKe,s ana
the walls covered with sketches by bis
own brush and Il few copies OF the
masters. On his easel was an untiu
ished picture just as he had left 1t
when he went away in the latter part
Of October He drew aside the cloth.
brushed off the dust and looked long
into the laughing brown eyes Of a
lovely girl. Underneath was penciled
the name "Aldyce.'
With 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 Caude's absence, had
obeyed his Instructions by leaving a
sack of -four, some beans, sugar, part
Of a ham and dried venison.
Now I'll have supper after my
own appetite" he declared. making a
Ere in the little stove.
Presently pot of beans. with piece
Of ham to give favor, WAS bubblin@
away, filing the room with its savory
stAam. Then Claude swept the floors.
wIpaG the accumulated dust off the
simple furniture and proceeded to make
a lonely house look comfortable.
Il must decorate to be in spirit with
the season." he said. after scanning
walls and unadorned mantel shelf
By the time the young man returned
fnfl nf Iacnr1tiOnS a
cold wind was racing down the pass.
driving steadily increasing fall of
snow and sleet before it.
Gee! Old Boreas is sending me some
Christmas weather with all the friltS.
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 ia a dash of snow, III the
midst Of which stood slender youth
in furry overcoat and cap, with huge
goggles over his eyes,
well, 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, dou't | % laughed the boy. Then.
with a start of recognition, Claude
Extrum, as | live and whistler" 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
Aldyce!
Hal Banniersr' he cried Where
did you drop from?'
From the snow Clouds" answered
the youth. huegins the surprised artist
This is some luck, all right. finding
shelter, and just think of its being youl
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
I 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
80 Aldyce was bound to so 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. Aidyce 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 sturdiy
breasted the keen. snow burdened wind
toward the crippled car he~Uas think