The Daytona daily news. [volume] (Daytona, Fla.) 1903-1926, 1916-12-22

arms.
II win rest for q few minutes" she
murmured drowsily.
Down In the town Mrs. Tucker
waited supper that Christmas eve un-
til nine O'Clock. Then little While
Tucker sleepily announced that Mrs.
Halliday had invited teacher to spend
the night and eat Christmas dinner at
the Halliday ranch. Gliding Willie for
his tardy information. Mrs. Tucker
FASTENED to the telephone and called
the Halliday ranch but the wires were
all down. and SO the anxious little
woman decided that the teacher had
been unable to send word about her
change Of Christmas plans. and went
about the trimming Of the Tucker
Christmas tree with renewed activity.
Bernice opened her eyes in the nv-
ing room Of a warm log cabin. Gay
Navajo blankets hung from the walls
and covered the broad couch on which
she reclined before q blazing fire of
hickory logs.
Two men were bending over the fire
one was stirring something in q bright
tin saucepan, something hot and
steaming which he poured into a tum-
bier and brought to her bedside.
Hello! !" he smiled. Awake are youf
Drink this mess and tell us how It an
happened"
Bernice smiled back into q bronzed
face that inspired instant confidence.
He was young, with very blue eyes and
very brown hair.
Bernice obediently drank the steam
Ing mixture and snuggled down In the
blankets and went to sleep.
II wonder who she Is, JIM" said the
last conner.
"She came to US out Of the storm
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, 20
don't set your heart ON her, JIM"
Jim laughed softly.
''Oh. get out. you old idiot!" he
grinned. Cant a chap sentimental
lie bit on Christmas eve without
your getting silly? I was thinking 1t
will be a sorry Christmas for this little
girl, and this blizzard looks good for
all day tomorrow
"Sure thing-so I'm going out to cut
q 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 timber expert in
the employ Of the government and
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.
It 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 feelv' she
yawned sleepily, and at that instant
she saw the Christmas tree and her
eyes popped wide open.
The little tree stood ON q 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, a 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
at the door and entered in response to
her call.
| They had arrayed themselves In
their best garments and they glanced
expectantly from the girls shyly smil-
Ing face to the gay little tree.