Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1916-12-28

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
ing, breasting the drifts and literally
wading through, until they came to
dead halt ard the driver jumped out.
They couldn't 80 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
Annabelle Smith place, where there
was telephone, and they could call
up Windyheath.
ITS only nine-thirty," Gregory said
reassuringly. "And we don't get an
adventure every day. Let's 60"
The Smith place was dark when they
reached it, but the driver knocked
Justify and finally there was a faint,
frightened voice from the inner side
of the front door asking who 1t 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 1t
laughingly. Gregory carried in wood
snl split kindlings for morning, and
,oR up for the night. While Miss
went up to look after her old
dden father, they sat together by
ne, and somehow talk died away.
bid clock up on the chimney man.
bftly struck twelve in the silence.
fred looked up and smiled, her
leaning back on the cushioned
( the old black rocker.
appy New Year." she said. isn't
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
woodbox under the big Dutch oven.
"Tm 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 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 Windyheath. All of the windows
of the big country house were lighted
up, and Anne 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 Winifred safely upstairs
in he~ room. "YoC pcor child!"
''Im not POOR" Winifred said ra.
dainty. "Tve had the most beautiful
adventure of my whole life, and I'm In
love. 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" Winifred laughed happily.
Both of us have. I never believed in
love at first sight before, or anything
like it, 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
confidentially. "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 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 it couldn't get
and the horses couldn't Ell
ther."
"Don't worry" Winifred smiled at
her reflection in the triple mirror at
the dressing table. II don't give rap
about the money or position or any
thing, Anna. We've been right out in
to the primitive world together, lost
In the snow and I'd 60 with him to
the ends of the world If this blessed
old world had any ends. He said, just
as we were driving in here, 1t was the
most promising New Years he had
ever known"