The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1912-12-12

SHpIlcT. anu just ILL ~ $3.50
mountain retreat. Aldyce Is out there
in the car The machine broke down
lust below your cabin"
"Aldyce in the car out in this Storm
cried Claude. %buttoning up his coat ana
Rushing to the door.
"Yes. We were on our way TO Fra
ziers. up Bear canyon" Hal shouted
his explanation as he chung 10 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 ana
Dell Frazier were great pals at school.
so Aldyce was bound TO 90 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 crippled car he was think
lllS WHAT a SllblISC pldLh AdNC ihu
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 o
tempest looked like a red rock half
buried in raging whitecaps neal a
stormy shore. In the back seat sat a
girl yelled and clad in rich furs.
"Aldycer" exclaimed Claude, opening
the door wide enough to admit his
head.
I'VE are unlimited guests" laughed
the girl, giving him n Of her small
gloved hands. The girl was the more
rational of the two, the young artist
being too confused to offer the Gus
tomary courtesies of host.
Come. Claude, why don't you ask us
in? Pm getting cold" she reminded
him. perhaps you want me to freeze
stiff and stark out here so you can have
a real model for a famous painting en-
titled Frozen In a Motorcar,'" she
laughed lightly.
Without a word In reply she felt her
self lifted in the mans strong arms.
The next second he was nurryIlg her
sway to the cabin.
Help, help she called in mock ter
Tor. Hal, bring the suit cases. The
mountain brigand is carrying off 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. IT'S b~eans-pure, unadulter-
ated BEANS" be added. with a tragic air.
Ills ID a lcSuIdl Dtdb Sup CNch-
ing" observed Aldyce. I'm sure |
shall enjoy it,"
IL want the largest bowl in your
china collection" ordered Hal. assist
ing the artist to sift flour for the bis
cults. 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 a peep, but if
you advise an extension we might
bring the wash boiler into service"
1t was a merry meal to which they
sat down as the early dusk of Christ
mas V began to creep into the rustic
studio. Hal declared the bean soup
was nectar, and Aldyce herself pinned
up her sleeves and made delicious cof-
fee. But the reaction came to Claude
at the close of the feast. He suddenly
pushed back his chair from the table
and sat moodily staring into the crum-
bling embers on the hearth.
Aldyce regarded the young mans
clouded c~ountenance for a short time
In silence, a mysterious twinkle in her
dark eyes. Then she arose and walked
over t. the window.
Hal" she called to her brother,
who showed symptoms of doing in his
chair, 1.-The snow has almost stopped.
/ want you to go out and see If the
car is still properly covered"
With q yawn the young fellow obey
ed. 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 Turk
ing at the corners of her mouth. "Open
1t, Claude"
He obeyed and a crisp check for
$1,000 dropped into his hand. Then he
read the accompanying note:
Dear Old Pal-The inclosed check is for
your painting. Rainbow Canyon In Sum-
mer." sold TO the famous art collector.
Mr. Stevens Of New York. He wants the
same scene in winter at your own price.
He says to be prepared for some orders
- a f---.V VI