The Hope pioneer., 1920-12-16
CHAPTER I.

sTory"-For Short.


Another winter had lifted Its Icy
fingers from the Storm Country and
Lake Cayuga, and an early spring had
brought from the South the red-breast-
ed robins and thousands of other birds
to build their homes in the Forest
city, as Ithaca, N. T., IS we'll called,
for to the south, the east, the west,
and even to the north where the lake
cut sharply around corner, broad
forests stretched their lengths and
heights os leaf and bough on minia-
ture mountains.
One evening on the western side Of
the railroad tracks, a girl stood before
small building over which, like ropes
of green, draped the branches Of a
weeping willow tree. This building
was different from any Of the other
habitatitns near it in that it was we'll
painted, and the door stood open all
day.
Twas a strange iittle girl that
gaZed up with searching eagerness at
the two lighted signs that had arrest
ed her attention. In her arms she
held a diminutivc guinea pig, and the
way size hugged 1t close demonstrated
her lose for it.
"THE SALVATION ARMY" She
spelled out and thoughtfully consid-
cred it.
"Eserybody Is welcome here" she
read slowly. That meant that anyone
could enter If he wanted to, she de-
cided, and as Tonnihel Devon did
want to go in, she softly tiptoed up
the steps and peeped into the room.
AS there was nobody in sight, she
sidled in and looked about.
"Welcome" was curved in letters of
red above table, and the silent young
stranger sighed. She couldn't under
stand how girl could be really well
come anywhere. OF course her moth
er liked her and missed her when she
was away, but Tony knew of no other
place where she was really wanted
hut the canal boat, called Mary and
Dirty Mary for short, which had been
her home ever since she could re-
member
"Glory be to God in the highest"
swung in letters of gold across the
right wall. and to the left, "Stand Still
and See the Salvation of the Lord"
kept her attention little longer. She
didn't know what they meant, but the
varied colors shining brilliant in the
bright light Gained her turbulent
spirit and made her happy. She
hugged the pig closer, bent her head
and kissed the top Of its ear.
II guess we're in a church, Gussie,"
she said aloud, 'and you mustn't grunt
or squeal like you do on the Dirty
Mary. It's awful nice and quiet, amt
It, honey?"
"Were you speaking to me?" said a
voice from near the door.
TOnnibel Devon struggled to her
feet, turned around and saw young
man looking at her. A fame of red
rushed over the tanned skin, but be-
cause he was smiling and kindly, she
smiled back, dimple coming to life
at each corner Of her mouth.
"Nope" she flung out in confusion.
| WAS IiIkII 10 NuSSlc-1 ls.ltt llclC.
Mebbe her and me hadn't ought to be
here. You can kick us out if you
wan, to-"
Philip MacCauley, the captain of
the Salvation army in Ithaca, bowed
and then he laughed.
Every one is welcome here" he
quoted. coming forward. "Where'd
YOU come from? I've never seen you
BEFORE"
"rm staying up Hoghole way" re-
oiled Tony. II amt been around
ithaca long. This is an awful nice
'oom. amt 1t. huh?"
"Yes, very. We like It," replied the
.oung man. "Sit down: don't be in a
,urry. want to talk to you"
Tonnibel did sit down but not very