The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1912-12-26
CHRISTMAS In
+; RAINBOW CANYON
BY ADDISON HOWARD GIBSON.

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
fnl 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 if Aldyce had not
forgotten. his great dream would be-
rome sweet reality. But what II
she should forget him? There was Il
righteousness in the sex that was
quite beyond his understanding.
It was noon when he reached the
large cabin among the pines. The first
room he visited was the studio. gay
with warm coiored Indian blankets and
the walls covered with sketches by his
masters. On his easel was an unfin
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 locked long
Into the laughing brown eyes Of a
lovely girl Underneath was penciled
the name "Aldyce."
Il 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
sack Of -four. some beans. sugar, part
of a ham and dried venison.
Nov I'll have 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 hoors
wiped the accumulated dust off the
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
with his arms full Of decorations
cold wind was racing down the pass.
driving a steadily increasing fall or
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 or
the mountain holly on the walls ana
built a 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.
:. well. can't you come in and shut
the door?" demanded the artist impa
tiently as he stared at the appari:ion
before him. ....
F~.I must look like I'm posing as old
Santa, don't p laughed the boy. Then.
with start of recognition. Claude
Extrum. as live and whistle!" Suit
ing the action to the word. tie gave
vent 10 prolonged whistle.
Tie artist grew red and white by
surns as he recognized the boy. 1t
vas the sixteen;year Old brother Ut
Aldyce!
Hal BannierS!' he cried. ''Where
lid you drop fram?"
From the snow clouds" answered
the youth, huggiug the surprised artist.
eThis is some luck. all right. finding
shelter, and just think of its, bein. your
mountain retreat. AIdyce is out there
III the car The machine broke down
lust below your cabin
''Aldyce in the car out in this storm.
rried Claude. buttonns up his coat and
rushing to the door
Yes We were on our way to Fra
tiers. up Bear canyon" Hal shouted
>ais explanation as he chung to his com
paniun'S arm through the snowy gale
lnnpd christmas eve party at their
ranch house You know Aldvre and
1'eI Frazier were great pals at school.
so Aidyce was bound 10 go tn the par
~ | was sure | knew the road there.
b,, this snow came on so Suddenly
WAS n little confused where tt1e roads
fork A!dyce insisted this was the right
way. SO we came up the wrong can.
fnn,'' s-+- .... 49,.
The artist paid scant heed to young
Eannier's explanation. AS they sturdiIy
breasted the keen snow burdened wind
toward the crippled car he was think
Ing what strange prank fate had
played on him. He had wanted to bury
Himself in his mountain cabin. sixty.
i've miles away from Aldyce. and here
she was. snowbound at his door.
The wrecked automobile in the snow
-aempest looked like "a red rock half
buried in raging whitecaps near
stormy shore. In the back seat sat a
..;x.l rxaifod and clad in rich fUrs Fg ~