The Snyder signal. (Snyder, Tex.) 1887-????, 1915-12-17

open door Dinner is ready Gomez
Harvey strobe into the midst of the festive
group with a pale face and haggard, startled
eyes.
Have you heard what his happenedy sad
he. There has been a snow slide on Barren
Mountain. The old canal boat is buried in snow
and ice, and the rocks and uprooted trees are
hurled all the way down to the river bank. AS
for Efiie and Clara, God knows what their fate
may be- but am going there at once, with Will
son and lot of the neighbors, to see what can
be done"
His voice shook he clutched at chair back to
steady himself as he spoke, and then he rushed
away.
Mrs. barrow FASTENED after him.
Harvey" she cried Harvey, my son, listen
to meP
Mother, for heavens sake don't keep mel"
said he in deep, hoarse tones OF despair.
But, Harvey dinner is ready"
Mother, do YOU suppose care for dinner If
Eifie Ravens blue eyes are closed forever3 Don't
hold me-let me go to the rescue OF these girlsV
Harvey
1t was another voice this timc-a SOFT tremu-
lous voice-and Effe Haven herself, running
out Of the kitchen with a scarlet shawl thrown
over her head, stood smiling before him.
CLARA is there, too" she said, coloring under
the intense rapture and relief Of his gaze. I'VE
are quite safe only"
81 meant it for surprise for you, Harvey
said Mrs. barrow, recovering her breath and lay
ing her hand caressngy on Effie's shoulder, 81
went over there myself early this morning while
you were at church, and brought them both back
with me. They were to visit me until after the
New Years party, but now there's no telling bow
long | shall keep them. did so want 10 see your
face when you saw them first, and I've seen it,
with smile and sob.
Wasn't it kind of herl" whispered Effe. with
the roses coming and going on her checks, and
downcast eyes.
Don't 20 to the snowslide," said Mrs. Oar
row. There's no harm done but can be undone
when Christmas day is past and gone Come back
to the Christmas dinner now; Effie make him
Gomez
Effe glanced at him shyly.
"He will come" said she.
And he came.
OF all the Christmas guests that day at Mrs.
Darrow's hospitabe board Effe and Clara Ha-
ven were the fairest and the sweetest.
Mother" said Harvey, following her out to
the kitchen afterward, "how can thank you for
thsa Was there ever such mother as you are !"
ooh, child faltered she, don't you know that
my chief wish in life is that you may be happy3
Bring her home here TO live whenever she will
consent, and her sister, too They'll be better
satisfied together and they are sweet, lovely
girls as ever lived"
And the kiss that her son gave her was rich
reward for the battle she had fought within her
self, the sacrifices she had made in secret
"Their lives were saved by my asking them
here" she unused. "When went there with that
idea in my mind was following the leading OF
the LordP
The next dav Clara and Efiie went back across
the frozen river to look at the stupendous ruin
wrought by the snowslide The old home was a
crushed and shapeless wreck, and Clara shud-
dered as she gazed.
"Effe," said she, think what dreadful death
we should have died il we had not gone with Har-
vey Darrow's motherp
But Effie, leaning lightly on Harvey's arm,
was watching the men as, with spades and pick
axes, they strove to clear away the blocks OF ice
and drifts OF snow.
Here's some green stuff" shouted Darwin