The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1927-03-18

to come and pick you out of bed and let
you hold on to him tightly for a long time.
Michael was never bothered that way.
Lucky Michael, who had never seen muir
dered people and burning houses!
However, one thing was certain. Since
the owner was at home, one might ap-
prOach the front boldly. Servants would
meet you. There would be little cakes and
red tea in pretty cups with dragons on
them. But one must bow and say-nO, it
must be English at this house. But the
bow-that was sure to be all right, though
1t was such a long time since the Occa-
sion for it had arisen.
Yet, the nearer he approached the green
door with its brass knOcker. the more he
doubted. If the wind would only let him
alone! 1t mixed up ones thoughts till
they were no clearer than dream stuff, and
kept saying things.
For the express cart was not a carriage
with three horses and he and Michael
were not wearing urs-nOt at all!
There were six steps up to the veranda
level. Alexis, having counted them, swal-
lowed dryly several times, assembled the
another fat faced griffin with a brass ring
IN his jaws. You were to lift the ring and
let it bang upon the brass plate beneath.
but while he eyed the griffin doubtfully,
seeing in its foolish lineaments a resem-
blance to Mr.. Blinken who had a way Of
gr1nning at them while he said "Ya-agh -
ana made motions with a stick, the door
opened suddenly.
0OOuuGSSs Inc voice was as IrlenQlV
as any merchant could wish to hear.
greens -
The bow came quite easily. He hardly
stopped to think at all; low, and stiff
from the waist-heels together! Perceiv-
ing it, the customers eyes widened and her
mouth drew to a startled 90"
we've are selling them" said Alexis.
dows. The ropes are ground pine and
cedar. You wind them arOund-arOund
things. We made them"
Made them - The pleasant voice de-
scflOed loops OF establishment. "Al by
yourselves ?"
: But as she started to come down the
r steps to inspect the merchandise the north
wind slapped her savagely on both cheeks
at once. She shivered, saying, "Brrr!" and
stepped back into the hall, but she came
right out again, wrapped in a fur coat
r bering.
4 She dropped to her knees by the side Of
= the cart as If to have a nearer look at the
I merchandise, and this attitude brought hel
= race to a level with Michael's and just &
q trihe below Alexis'-much better for ex.
t tended conversation than when there is too
much up and down between the speakers.
Her eyes were clear and searching. Sh'
listened with grave interest while A1eXil
told her all about the greens. Once sh,
put the tip of her finger on that plume o.
i hair that stuck through the hole ii
Michael's cap. Michael did not mind.
He showed her all his first teeth, theI
closed his lips upon his thumb. But b.
e sided nearer-much nearer-until he cOul,
run his fingers luxuriOusly through tina
i silky fur.
"How many can you let me have?" sh
n asked.
"Why-why, how many do you wantP
Ie stammered Alexis.
We'll" estimated Miss Barley sOberIy
l. what ! really want is a wreath In ever,
a window. I've always wanted a wreath Il
II every window, but I've never been able {
have them that way yet"
l. The splendOr Of this ambition too
re Alexis breath away. It was a shame t
~disappOint her.
'1im afraid we haven't enough for that,
he said kindly, "but you may have all ther
are"
.ki He began hastily to unpack the wreath
n and string. them along his arm. Miehat
was helpful.
"a sI'm going to count the windows" b
shouted. watch, Alesha, I'm going
ne count the windOwsw
He trotted heavily around the three side
IA Of the Veranda, dabbing his finger againl
the glass Of every window he passed, shout
"a ing the tale Of them, but having numbere
N siz he skipped earelessly to ten and then'
be to a hundred.
"a hundred windows" he SAID; "a hui
dred Wreaths-tWO hundred thousand
Id Lucy Barley, sitting on the step with
es prickly holly wreath swinging from hl
~ finger, watched him with a grave smtl
q She did rot seem to mind having lit
boys run up and dOWn her veranda.