The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1915-02-03
MISS HEPPrs NEPHEW
BY CLARISSA MAcKIE.

whooping boy had scurried down the
slope and disappeared around Lone
Pine Bend great depression seized |
her heart
Christmas at Lone Pine-among
strangers in the tiny settlement nes-
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 bend in the trail, looking
ike 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 a step with the girl who
was just half her own age. I've got
TO go to Lone Pine and l wanted to
| tell you that supper was all ready on
the stove. Purdy's going to drive me.
| Want to go?"
| No, thank you," said Amy Il 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. We'll, you go
along home; l guess you'll find big
box there that came by parcel post
today. / reckon it's from your folks.
There, don't hug me to death, childi
Well. here's Purdy waiting for me!
~
doors locked. Wen 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 afire 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 so 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 a man was framed
against the snowy fields, bathed in
moonlight. Then the man uttered Z
long sigh and fell prone upon the
floor.
Amy screamed and dropped the cat
When she reached the mans side
she saw that a handkerchief was tieC
about his head and the white liner
was wet with blood from a wount
n under the thick fair hair
q She turned his face to the door Sc
n that the fresh, crisp air could revive
d him, and with def fingers that trem
rt bled from an unaccustomed task, sh,
d found the wound and bound it as bes
she could
e Presently he opened surprised gra,
= eyes and smiled at her in friendl,
N manner. Something happened" h
a announced dazedly.
lie You have been hurt-you fainte,
Y. at the door," explained Amy as sh
held a glass to his lips. "PerhaD
you feel like telling me what haI
peaed."
I was riding home from the raj
ol road station-a couple of drunke,
punchers held me up for joke.
S. suppose. My horse bolted and thEev
ne me-and l rather think | bumpe
r. my head. Where is Heppy?" he asked
he Miss Heppy-oh, do you knov
is her?"
st He smiled She's my only aun
H. I've travelled five hundred miles t
- spend Christmas with her-do it yer
=, often
Your aunt?" echoed Amy. "Why
i'll then you must be Paul Werdon. Sh
% never mentioned that you were con
wv ing she added, a little breathlessly
ne for Miss Heppy talked a lot abou
her clever nephew, who was a Oh
. cago broker.
I She gladly welcomed the arrival c
Miss Heppy and Purdy, who came i
laden with bundles, among which wa
bulky package from Chicago.
n So you came after ALL" Miss Hell
81 Ply screamed. going to Paul.
81 Amy crept upstairs to her ROOF
Isl quite contented.
81 Downstairs in the living room Pa,
81 Werdon was smiling into his aunt
81 guilty eyes.
81 "So-you have picked wife fC
Isl me have you, Miss Matchmaker
81 Well, Aunt Heppy, I've capitulated
Isl Remember, won't be happy till
]M win her-and you'll have to help"
>1 From what | saw declare
N Aeppy mysteriously. you won't nee