The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-12-23
Clardssa Mackie

very DIONn HulI.
Banice obediently drank the steam
ing mixture and snuggled down in the
blankets and went to sleep.
Il wonder who she is, jim" said the
last conner.
"She came to us out of the storm
a little snowbird," murmured Jim But
Ter.
Billy Smith smiled shrewdly.
Little Snowbird will be missed on
Christmas eve" he said. "Some one
is probably looking for her now, SO
don't set your heart on her, jim"
Jim laughed softly.
ION, get out, you old idiot" he
grinned. Cant a chap sentimental
ize a bit on Christmas eve without
your getting silly? l was thinking it
will be sorry Christmas for this little
girl, and this blizzard looks good for
all day tomorrow !"
Sure thing-so I'm going out to cut
a Christmas tree for her" said Billy
struggling into his heavy coat.
You're an angel" laughed Jim, get
ting out an AK.
He had never seen Bernice Avery
before the moment when he had stum-
bled over her snow-covered form. He
had carried her to the cabin three
miles up the mountain and given Billy
Smith the surprise of his adventurous
life.
James Butler was a timber expert in
ha NF thp
Billy was his right-hand man.
Suddenly the door opened and Billy
staggered in, powdered with white
ness, carrying a small, symmetrical
hemlock tree.
"Our Christmas tree for the kid"
he said solemnly.
Good" chuckled Jim, and they set
to work.
II was Christmas morning when
Bernice awoke again. Dimly she re-
membered the events of the night and
when full realization came upon her
she sat up in bed and looked around.
Dear me, how horrid l feel :" she
1 yawned sleepily, and at that instant
she saw the Christmas tree and her
/ eyes popped wide open.
The little tree stood on a table near
the fire, propped with heavy stones.
Strings of popcorn festOoned it and
/ there were puzzling tinseled orna.
/ mentS-nuts covered with tinfoil. There
! were Mexican quirt, pair of gayly
/ beaded Indian moccasins, a roll OF
Navajo blankets and some apples and
oranges.
II wonder whose Christmas tree this
: is" marveled Bernice.
The sun was streaming through the
windows when Jim and Billy knocked
ut the door and entered in response t
her call.
They had arrayed themselves il
their best garments and they glanced
cxpectantly from the girls shyly smil
ing face to the gay little tree.
merry Christmas" all three sale
in unison. and then laughed in ga!
friendlineSs.
1T looks so Christmasy in here,
said Bernice: "Tm afraid I've STUN
bled upon somebody's Christmas tree
Jim laughed. ooh, that's your tree !!
"Mine?" she stammered.
"TeS-it was Billy's idea-your be
ing away from home and everything
These are just trifleS we had arounr
the house. Please don't cry!" he pro
tested as tears filled the lovely eyes o
his guest.
But You don't know how beautiful
d it is" she sobbed. 81 was hatin
Christmas this year, was so lone
some-and everythiug!"
She told them how she had dislike
q the West. not dreaming it could hol
such kindness. and in return both me
became very gruff indeed and Bill
2 sternly insisted upon her coming OF
and eating her breakfast OF cornbreac
bacon and coffee. Jim said nothin,
r but his eyes were eloquent.
70 1t was late afternoon when til
Z storm ceased so that they could put o
!. Snowshoes and set out down the ira
/ toward the Gulch, Bernice hugging he
{ precious gifts close to her heart.
r TITS the happiest Christmas l eve
I Aitlb' Sl4t tOlu Jllls WIFI eyes
i ashine.
e And you don't hate the West an
e its people?" he smiled.
d mo, indeedw
r ''Then-perhaps--yOu will like
il we'll enough to stay here always! - !
r blurted, and then in a panic of has
7. fulness he dashed away from IL
fuckers front gate leaving Billy so
= witness to Bernice's bushes and te
y tale eyes
: "We'H have another Christmas tr
Ii next year-we three-and it won't
II any accident either" predicted Il
guide shrewdly.
:; Billy's prophecy was fulfilled. al
It Bernice'S happy Christmas was folio,
d ed by many more in the country viii,
n she learned to love because Love h;
really sought and found her there.
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