The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1916-12-28

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hills looked better to him than all the
old world put together. Even in the
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 shonc famously up
in the winter sky.
Gregory half turned in his seat and
talked. They had many friends in Vom-
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, hrcaSting the drifts and literally
! wading through, until they came TO a
dead halt and the driver jumped out.
They couldn't go on, he said. The snow
was up to the top of the fences as
far as one could see. He could turn
around and get them UP to the old
AnnabcIlc Smith place, where there
was telephone, and they could call
up Windyhcath.
ITS only nine-thirty," Gregory said
r"aSsurngly. "And we don't get an
adventure every day. Let's 60"
The Smith place was dark when they
reached 1t, but the driver knocked
Justify and finally there was faint,
frightened voice from the inner side
of the front door asking who it was at
that time Of night. Gregory explained,
with the drivers help, and they were
admitted.
but you can't get word through to-
night. The wires don't work. They
never do after big storm on these
here party lines" said Miss Smith,
holding up big oil lamp. "Just step
right out into the kitchen and you stir
up the fire, Ira. Make yourselves to
home, folkses. 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
bedriddcn 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.
Winifrcd looked up and smiled her
head leaning back on the cushioned
top Of the old black rocker.
Happy New Year," she said. "Isn't
1T the queerest thing, our being way
up here miles from everyone we know,
and not knowing each other even, and
starting Off the new year together?"
It's great Gregory clasped his
hands around one knee, seated on the
w,oodbox 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
Ia almost began 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.
"1ra's back with bigger team and
he's going to take you through all
right, he says. He drove over that
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 Anne herself, wrapped in q
wonderful velvet and fur housegown.
ran down the steps to meet them.
"Oh, my dear, my dcar!" she cried
when she had Wlnifred safely upstairs
In her room. "You poor child!"
I'm not poor" Winifred said ra-
diantly. "I've had the most beautiful
adventure Of my whole life, and I'm in
love. I agree with you and fate this
time"
But it isn't Gregory want you to
meet" faltered Anne. "You haven't
gone and fallen in love with dear old
Gregg"
II have" Winifred laughed happily.
Both of us have. never believed In
love ut first sight before, or anything
like it, but I've made some wonderful
resolutions for the new year this
time"
Nov listen to me and the whole
comedy. Anne curled up on the bed
confldentially. "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 didn't think you'd try
to make the trip such q night so I've
been 'phoning madly everywhere to
find out If YOU had arrived and where
Then / would have tried to get to YOU
We sent out car and 1t couldn't get
through, and the horses couldn't eli
ther."
DIDN'T unrr,, NMinIfnnd crnua, A