The herald., 1915-01-28
MISS HEPPrS NEPHEW
BY cLARISSA MAcKIE.

"HOOplnS DOy 0dQ 6CuTTleu uOWu Iu6
slope and disappeared around Lone
Pine Bend a 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 Montanal 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 a bend in the trail, looking
like a 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?"
mo, 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; guess you'll find 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-by, and be sure you keep the
doors locked. Well be home by dark.
surei"
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 q
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 q
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 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 sc
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
manner. Something happened" hi
announced dazedly.
you have been hurt-you tainted
at the door," explained Amy as sht
held a glass to his lips. "Perhap!
you feel like telling me what hap
pened."
II was riding home from the rail
road station-a couple Of drunken
punchers held me up for a joke,
suppose. My horse bolted and threw
me-and / rather think I bumpe,
my head. Where is Heppy?" he asked
Miss Heppy-oh, do you know
herr"
He smiled. She's my only aunt
I've travelled five hundred miles t,
spend Christmas with her-do 1t yer.
often"
Your auntr echoed Amy. why
then you must be Paul Werdon. Sh,
never mentioned that you we're com
ing" she added, a little breathlessly
for Miss Heppy talked a lot abou
her clever nephew, who was a Chi
cago broker.
She gladly welcomed the arrival o
Miss Heppy and Purdy, who came II
laden with bundles, among which wa
a bulky package from Chicago.
so you came after ALI" Miss Hep
py screamed, going to Paul.
Amy crept upstairs to her room
quite contented.
Downstairs in the living room Pau
Werdon was smiling into his aunt
guilty eyes.
= "So-you have picked a wife TO
me have you. Miss Matchmaker
Well, Aunt Heppy, I've capitulated
Remember, / won't be happy till
win her-and you'll have to help"
From what saw" declares
Heppy mysteriously, you won't nee,
any help, young mani"
| fConvripbt 1oIA bv the McC,jura Na1vspa