The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1914-12-28
WORK OF THE STORM
by DON LA GRANGE.
sssssssssssssesssssssssss


bitches had scarcely frozen over. In
deed, the highways were dry and
dusty. and THE Oldest lnhabitant" said
that the bluebirds we're as numerous
an the country as in June.
AT three o'clock the cows were out
in the green pastures. At six a gale
from the north was raging and the
snow driving in binding sheets that
man or animal could not face.
OF course, NJ. Rayburn and his wife
has selected that very afternoon to
drive over to the town Of Hepburn,
IL miles distant to see about some
business that should have been attend.
ed to month before. and that could
be attended to any time within the
next month without loss to anyone.
They were two miles on their way
home when the storm-wolf struck them
and ran them into a farmhouse for the
night They we're only two OF hun
dreds that had to seek strange shelter
that night.
And back st the manor house az
darkness shut down and the blizzard
grew stronger. was cook who flung
her arms about and wept, and a Miss
Bird Rayburn who scoided:
Yes, It's blizzard, and father and
mother can't possibly get home to.
night. and maybe not tomorrow, but
what of it?'
Il was reading that where there was
a blizzard there was always half
dozen murders with Ill" persisted the
cook.
Fanny, you'd tire COW with your
fears and your whining" was the
sharp admonition. You go back to the
kitchen and make big pot Of coffee
and keep it hot. Have things ready
so that you can get quick lunch. It's
likely that come one will ask US for
shelter within the next hour"
Miss Bird was no heroine She was
blutfing herself and bluflng the cook
II was fact that she was frightened.
There was not another house within
half q mile. The telephone had gone
dead"
The first move was to see that every
door and window was secure, and then
the sentinel sat down TO wait. After
half an hour or SO she began to wonder
whether she had really locked the out.
side doors OF the vestibule. or course
che had. Perhaps not II would take
only minute to make sure. but she
did not move. There came what shs
thought was shout or a cry for help
from the highway. Was Il cry or the
wall of the gale?
What Miss Bird did was to 90 to one
OF the front windows and raise the
shade and let the light shine forth into
the storm for beacon. Five minutes
after she had taken her seat again the
front door opened and man of snow
staggered into the room. She had not
locked the doors after all.
The unbldden guest staggered about
until he could clutch the back az
chair for support. The snow had piled
on him Inches thick, and his battla
q
was full minute before he spoke, and
then nervous laugh preceded his
words;
I'm two or three minutes shall be
able to ask you to excuse this intru.
zion"
The girl was holding revolver in
her hand. She kept her eyes on him,
but made no reply,
Sorry to bring this snowbank into
the house, but was that done up that
had to crawl from the gate to the
house"
Still no answer.
III your father is here / beg the
privilege Of introducing myself Mr..
Deering, my father, is in public li'e''
THE railroad magnate?' Qderied
Miss Bird.
'The newspapers refer to him as
such. I myself am generally spoken
Of as Ted Deering, the son Of his
father"
Neither of my parents is at home
and il is doubtful if they get here
through this storm. shall accep.
sou as Mr.. Ted Deering, however, and
there is hot coffee awaiting you. had
the cook prepare for just such an
emergency
And you'll lay aside the revolver?"
Il am not afraid"
Miss Bird and Mr.. Deering we're
good Samaritans that long, fierce
night. Two wayfarers we're admitted.
thawed out and put to bed. and they
would have done the same by others
had the storm drifted them that way
When Mr.. and Mrs. Rayburn finally
reached home there was a good deal of
talk about billiards., but it was mid
summer before Miss Birds father
closed conversation by observing:
Why, II you and Bird love each
other, Gee no reason TO object. but If
you live with US shall expect you to
keep the walks clear OF snow in the
winteri"