The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-12-24
The Euenine Story


When Amy Finch locked the
schoolhouse door after the last
whooping boy had scurried down the
slope and disappeared around Lone
Pine Bend a great depression seixed
her heart.
Christmas at Lone Pine-among
strangers In the tiny settlement mes
tied in a valley among the snowy
cattle ranges Of Montana. Christmas
first time in her life! No wonder the
lump came into her throat and her
pretty gray eyes filed with tears.
Thanksgiving had been bad enough.
although her new friends had tried
to make her feel like one OF them
selves. but Christmas had always been
such joyous festival back there in
her Illinois home.
Amy choked back the tears when
she remembered that the money she
had sent home had paid for an opera
ton That saved her mothers life. Was
not that Christmas joy enough for any
girl?
She scolded herself heartily, and
remembering that it was Christmas
eve. she decided that her little
brother Rod must have been to the
postoffice and proudly carried home
the generous box she had packed for
the home circle. True, most of the
things had been made by her own fin
gers. but her father would prize the
tobacco pouch made from rattlesnake
skin and Rod would rejoice in the
handsome lariat which Purdy, Miss
Heppy's hired man. had given to her.
Thinking about these things, Amy
smiled. and she was smiling through
her tears when . Miss Heppy came
tramptng around a bend in the trail,
looking like big brown bear in her
brown garments and brown fur hood.
Thought I'd come and meet Won"
said Miss Heppy. turning about to
fau into step with the girl who was
just ha1f her own age. I've got to
go to Lone Pine and finish my Christ
mas shopping. and / wanted to tell
you that supper was all ready on the
stove. Purdy's going to drive me.
Want to got"
mo. thank you." said Amy. ct am
very tired. You know we had Christ
mas exercises today"
Aumph! You've worn yourself out
making presents for your folks!" re-
torted Miss Heppy, looking critically
at her boarder. well, you 20 along
home; I guess you'll find q big box
there that came by parcel post today.
l reckon it's from your folks There,
don't hug me to death, child! Well.
here's Purdy waiting for me! Good
bye, and be sure you keep the doors
| locked. Wen be home by dark, sure!"
Amy waved goodbye to them, and
when the sleigh had disappeared be-
yond the snowy ridge that was red
dened by the setting sun, she walked
rapidly toward the little ranch house.
which was the abode Of Heppy Brown,
| spinster.
c-noke curled from the chimney
and the windows were afire with the
sunset. Amy unlocked the door and
hurried into her own room to look
over the precious box. directed in her
fathers handwriting, and so heart
rendingly reminiscent Of home and
dear ones.
But she would not open the box
u til Christmas morning. She ate the
supper Miss Heppy had left for her
In the coy kitchen and. after wash
ing up the dishes she took the black
cat Vixen for company and went into
the living room to put the finishing
touch s to the sweater she was knit
ting Tor Miss Heppy and to sew the
buttons on the shirt she had made
for Purdy. the faithful servitor.
Several hours passed: the fire sang
on the wide hearth. Vixen purred
comfortably in Amy's lap, and from
outside came the eerie hooting of
snow owl.
1T Is going to be a lonely Christ
mas, vixen. whispered Amy to Vixen.
as she made the last stitch and cast
the garments aside. A tear dropped
on Vixen's shining coat and the cat
yawned and stretched herself luxuri-
ously.
Suddenly the door opened and the
tail form of man was framed against
the snowy fields. bathed in moonlight.
Then the man uttered a long sigh and
Tell prone upon the floor.
Amy screamed and dropped the cat.
When she reached the mans side she
} saw that handkerchief was tied about
/ his head and the white linen was wet
with blood from a wound under the
thick fair hair
She turned his face to the door 90
That the fresh. crisp air could revive
MIN, and with deft fingers that trem-
oieo rom an unaccustomed task she
FOUND the wound and bound it az best
J she could She loosened the collar Of
: his. shirt and noted with surprise that
} while he was dressed in expensive
clothing he was without hat or over
coat.
! He was q stranger in Lone Pine.
! too. Amy did not recognise the pale.
rather thin face with its good-hu-
mored lines about eyes and Iips and
its thatch Of straigh. fair hair.
Presently he opened surprised gray
) eyes and smiled at her in 4 friendly
manner. Something happened" he
announced daxedly.
} You have been hurt-you tainted
} at the door," explained Amy a. she
} held q glass to his lips. Perhaps you
feel like telling me what happened"
II was riding home from the rail-
road stations couple Of drunken
punchers held me up for Joke.
suppose Ny horse bolted and threw
me-and rather think bumped my
head" He touched It gingeriy.