Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1916-12-27
hills looked better to him than al tho


old world put together. Even in tho
darkness the pine trees stood out, their
branches heavy with snow, and before
them here and there in the fields were
clumps Of white birch and red oak,
with dry leaves still clinging to their
boughs. The stars shOne famously up
In the winter sky.
Gregory half turned in his seat and
talked. They had many friends in com.
mon. He had known Rolf since they
were boys back In Denver. Neither Of
them noticed after five miles had been
covered that the horses were walk
ing. brcasting the drifts and literally
wndlng through, until they came to a
dead halt and the driver jumped out.
They couldn't 60 on, he said. The snow
was up to the top of the fences as
far rs one could see. He could turn
around and get them up to the old
Annabelle Smith place, where there
was II telephone, and they could call
up Windyheath.
ITS only nine-thirty," Gregory said
rcnssnringly. "And we don't get an
adventure every day. Let's 60"
The Smith place wns dark when they
reached it, but the driver knocked
Justify and finally there was faint,
frightened voice from the inner side
OF the front door asking who it was ut
that time Of night. Gregory explained,
with the drivers help, and they were
admitted.
"But you can't get word through to-
nj hn ,rly
never do after Il big storm on these
here party lines" said Miss Smith.
holding up Il big oil lamp. "Just step
right out into the kitchen and you stir
up the fire, Ira. Make yourselves to
home. folkscs. Ira can drive back and
maybe telephone from the village up
there"
Winifred never forgot that New
Years eve. After Ira had gone, they
sat out in the CHEEKY old kitchen,
drinking tea, eating nuts and apples
and mince pie, and getting fearfully
well acquainted. as Miss Smith put It
laughIngly. Gregory carried In wood
and split kindlings for morning, and
locked up for the night. While Miss
Smith went up to look after her old
bedridden father, they sat together by
the fire. and somehow talk died away.
The old clock up on the chimney man
tel softly struck twelve In the silence.
Winifred looked up and smiled, her
top Of the old black rocker.
Happy New Year," she said. isn't
1t the gueerest thing, our being way
up here miles from everyone we know,
and not knowing each other even, and
starting off the new year togetherT
ITS great Gregory clasped his
hands around one knee, seated on the
woodbo1 under the big Dutch oven.
I'm not superstitious, but after ramb-
ling for year over there this seems
awfully much worth while. You know
I'd almost begun to think, If you won't
mind my saying so, that there wasn't
anyone like you in the world"
Miss Smith hurried through the en-.
try way.
"Ira's back with n bigger team and
he's going to take you through all
bad spot in the roads and broke 1t for
You. And he's telephoned to Mrs. Del
mar that you're coming"
1t was nearly two when they reach
ed Windyhcath. All of the windows
OF the big country house were lighted
up. and AnIie herself, wrapped In a
wonderful velvet and fur hOuSegown,
ran down the steps to meet them.
"Oh. my dear, my dear" she cried
when she had Winifrcd safely upstairs
In her room. you poor child!"
I'm not poor" Wlnifred said ra.
dinntly. "I've had the most beautiful
adventure of ny whole life, and I'm in
love. l agree with you and fate this
time"
"But it isn't Gregory I want you to
meet faltered Anne. "You haven't
gone and fallen In love with dear old
Gregg?
II have" Winlfred laughed happily.
Both Of us have. I never believed In
love Mt first sight before, or anything
like 1T, but I've made some wonderful
resolutions for the new year this
time"
Now listen to me and the whole
comedy. Anne curled up on the bed
contldentially. "The man you were to
marry Is right down smoking with
Rolf this minute. He's Madison Forbes,
with money. position, everything, my
dear. But he Gidnt think you'd try
to make the trip such night, so I've
been 'phoning madly everywhere to
find out If you had arrived and where.
Then I would have tried to get to you.
We sent out car and 1t couldn't get
through, and the horses couldn't ei.
ther"