The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-05-08
MISS HEPPrs NEPHEW
BY clARlsSA MAcKIE.


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 seized
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
away from her own people for the
first time in her life! No wonder
the lump came into her throat and
her pretty gray eyes filled with tears.
Amy was smiling through her tears
when Miss Heppy came tramping
around q bend in the trail, looking
like big brown bear in her brown
garments and brown fur hood.
Thought I'd come and meet YOU"
said Miss Heppy, turning about to
fall into step with the girl who
was Just half her own age. I've got
to 60 to Lone Pine and / wanted to
tell you that supper was all ready on
the stove. Purdy's going to drive me.
Want to go?"
mo, thank you," said Amy. 81 am
very tired. You know we had Christ
mas exercises today"
"Humph! You've worn yourself
out making presents for your folks!"
retorted Miss Heppy, looking criti.
cally at her boarder. well, YOU 20
along home; l guess you'll find a big
box there that came by parcel post
today. / reckon it's from your folks.
There, don't hug me to death. child!
Well, here's Purdy waiting for me!
Good-by, and be sure you keep the
doors locked. Well be home by dark,
sure!"
Amy waved good-by 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.
Smoke curled from the chimney
and the windows were aflre with the
sunset. Amy unlocked the door and
hurried into her own room to CRY
over the precious box, directed in her
fathers handwriting, and 80 heart.
rendingly reminiscent Of home and
dear ones.
But she would not open the box
until 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.
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 a
snow owl. |
Suddenly the door opened and the
tall form Of man was framed
against the snowy fields. bathed in
moonlight. Then the man uttered
long sigh and fell 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 &C
that the fresh, crisp air could revive
him. and with deft fingers that trem.
bled from an unaccustomed task. she
found the wound and bound 1t as best
she could.
Presently he opened surprised gray
eyes and smiled at her In a friendly
Something happened" he
announced dazedly.
You have been hurt-you tainted
1t the door," explained Amy as she
held glass to his lips. Perhaps
you feel like telling me what han.
pened."
i was riding home from the rail.
road stAtfon-a couple Of drunken
punchers held me up for q Joke. L
suppose. My horse bolted and threw
me-and I rather think bumped
ny head. Where is Henpy?" he asked.
Miss Heppy-oh. do you know
,er?"
He smiled. She's my only aunt
I've travelled five hundred miles to
pend Christmas with her-do It very
)ften."
your aunt?" echoed Amy. "Why.
men you must be Paul Werdon. She
lever mentioned that you were com.
ng," she added. little breathlessly.
or Miss Heppy talked a lot about
er clever nephew. who was a Chi
ago broker.
She gladly welcomed the arrival Of
liss Heppy and Purdy, who came In
lden with bundles. among which was
bulky package from Chicago.
SO you came after ALT" Miss Hep.
screamed, going to Paul.
Amy crept upstairs to her room
ute contented
Downstairs In the living room Paul
'erdon was smiling into his aunt's
lilty eyes.
"So-you have picked a wife for
10 have you. Miss Matchmaker
'ell. Aunt Heppy. I've capitulated! 3,
won't be happy till
In her-and you'll have to help"
From what saw" declared
eppy mysteriously, you won't need
~ help. young mani"
Copyright. 1914. by the Mcclure Newspa-
per Syndicate.)