The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1915-02-04
BY MAcKlE.

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 nes-
tied in a valley among the snowy
cattle ranges of Montana Christmas
away from her own people for the
first time in her lifei 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 | wanted to
tell you that supper was all ready IN
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"
"Humphl You've worn yourself
out making presents for your folksl"
retorted Miss Heppy. looking criti
cally at her boarder. well, you go
along home; / guess you'll find a big
box there hat 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 mel
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 aire 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 o open the box
until Christmas morning. She ate the
supper Miss Heppy had left for her
in fhn anzu LffOhnn aud offnr uroGh-
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
now owl.
Suddenly the door opened and the
tall form of a mar was framed
against the snowy fields, bathed in
moonlight. Then the man uttered a
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
oOO0i lis ACdQ III the Willie llllCl
was wet with blood from a wound
under the thick fair hair.
She turned his face t the door so
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 it as best
she could.
Presently he opened surprised gray
eyes and smiled at her in a friendly
manner Something happened" he
announced dazedly.
You have been hurt-you tainted
at the door," explained Amy as she
held a glass to his lips. Perhaps
o feel like telling me what hap
pened."
y 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 / bumped
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 to
spend Christmas with her-do it very
often"
Your aunt?" echoed Amy. why,
d you must be Paul Werdon. She
never mentioned that you were com
ing she added, a little b~reathlessly,
for Miss Heppy talked a lot about
her clever nephew, who was a Chi
cago broker.
She gladly welcomed the arrival of
Miss Heppy and Purdy, who came in
laden with bundles, among which was
a bulky package from Chicago.
so you zane after ALL" Miss Hep
py ream going to PauI