The Snowflake herald., 1920-12-10
Good Morning!
VICTOR REDcLIFFE

tpg for uI li-,cer upon the porch and
onjen, over the various events vents, .ii.' ! nad rad
tealo ,or Sor' nineteenth birthday a red
pade lSl ,,aot in her life. There had
letter e' au the afternoon and mu-
been lgI'', q dancing until eleven O'Clock
SIC anu nooring the mystic hour of
md pu4' tbe last guest had departed.
niansp an Abel Strong the gardener ana ana
OId A~ ma ior domo, had retired after
geneTa' w survey Of the grounds. Mrs.
Inal = tbo housekeeper, was going
Dat5 .l+oirs to her room when Rose, 's sol,s .ne
rps'a.,@ sister. came out AID sat down
lolassi lap and put her arms low
b NV r'II about her neck +,o
ins,, ssT,ired. dear?" she cooed in gentle'
@o,l.D7 inst lost in happy dreams"
nv, tno low murmured reply. Il think
eIns psn never forget this great lovely
day no u vou m think Rodney Blair will
law ~ mischieyously inquired Rose.
so,S, as 7 don't know" replied Muriel
VI, ooctasy of emotion, but he was so
D. a. and thoughtful and almost senti-
mental" fron, tno others
.nr l stroll about the grounds. Why,
ID ,a 'T@ naIpitating, eystatic little humbug,
Il
loa oa ere in love with him and afraid
70 think it,
Nov. Rose"
~, now Muriel!" disputed Rose,
oro +o come to bed at once. You
,,r wp promised papa early hours
DS si,o bp was away and here it is go
,,r towards one o'clock. Come dear,
n7 n5 Rose led her sister into the house
snd they went up stairs.
poea was vaWning and sleepy, but she
,1rIced her sister in not hurrying
h, from final survey of the numer-
ons Gifts she had received. There was
diamond ring from her father and a
1ordsome wrist watch from her Aunt
norotbv There were minor articles
!, iowprv from her girl friends and
5orp was a bouquet from Rodney
Pair which she had placed upon the
rHe stand at the head of the bed.
urrip stole a glance at Rose who had
already retired. noticed that she was
o,ppp. selected a bud from the bOu-
ono+ and turned out the light and tip
mpd softly to the opens window. She
messed the cherished flower to her
Tns and looked out upon the garden.
Life seemed still and sweet, the
pDhyrs blew gently down vale of
noom. There seemed to be 4 rare
n9sc where the moon. shining
through the trees, Illuminated deils Of
fairy light. She was lost in maiden
pyerie until a wavy glow of light
showed, disappeared, moving about
from spot to spot beyond a long row
Of stately lilies
Instantly Muriel thought Of some
lurking marauder. She recalled that
her absent father always kept money
and securities in the library safe.
Then too, a sudden ineStimable value
to her cherished present was present,
ed to her active mind. She swept the
eVelry from the stand into q drawer
and quietly left the room. Abel Strong.
he gardener slept in an attic over
the Kitchen. She reached it's door and
tapped
What is it?" at length sounded a
sleepy voice.
Please get up at once" answered
Slwel. Some one is pFowling about
the garden-some one with flash
light"
Abel came out in a few moments
pistol in either coat pocket. Muriel
related what she had seen.
You stay on the porch Lere, Miss, >
spoke Abel finally. u will leave one OF
The pistols and if the light comes near
The house fire it off as a signal to me-
1t was an exciting and suspensefu
We minutes for Muriel. The flashes
a light had ceased. there was an in
RAm Of silence and then approaching
voices sounded and the gardener anC
aaoher came into shadowy view
"aTleI stepped to the door reached il
ana turned on the porch light.
Nne stood spellbound as the illum
malon revealed the gardener ant
Nodaey Blair. The latter held "a flash
.gnt in one hand, in the other a long
fiat wallet.
Il you please, Miss" spoke th'
gardener, the gentleman says he viii
0IIaIn to you about his being here,
'uu with a slight smile on his fac
went away around the house.
Nily' won't you be seatedY bewil
eredIy uttered Muriel
must be an unwelcome intruder
@uNng You such an unwarrante,
nn ~r,in' said Blair, equally confused
'HeH "e-that is, in the stroll abou
Sarden last evening | must hav
@Opped a letter from my pocket. !
.n5 ~ @ one ! had written to my mothe
a"u, MISS Delavaa, let me make ful
boon oalesSlon It was all about you. Pei
rop opS 'ne clearest thing to do is to as
You to read it,"
"l'h growing emotion Muriel pt
w. %'eu the misSive in which Blair tol
-.e AOther of his love Tor hnr nnd ~ 81