Lakeland Evening Telegram Newspaper, December 18, 1911, Page 4

PAGE FOUR Dofi Cart Do'ly Carts in all styles. cait on the Christmas trce. LA (Copyright.) § HE red farmhouse was set in the midst of a white expanse of snow. The drooping elms protected the roof with widespread arms cloth- ed in ermine and where the crisp wind had blown away the covering the limbs wero darkly sketched agalnst the bright blue sky. A thin spiral of smoke drifted up from the big chim- ney and shimmered away into noth- fngness. Loring tramped wearily up the path and turned the corner by the clump of boxwood where a little side porch jutted out to the south. There was a window here filled with red geraniums and the brilliant color seemed to im- part warmth to his benumbed body. The steps had been swept clear of snow and he was careful to ecrape his boots before he knocked at the door. The whirring of a sewing machine stopped suddenly and quick steps came across the floor. The door flew open and revealed two faces; that of Miss Anne, timidly expectant, and the fair face of the young girl, hopeful and eager. “Oh!" they cried in unison and their voices betray2d bitter disappointment. “We thought .Y might be the express- man.” added Anne in explanation. “I'm sorry to disappoint you,” said Loring courteously as he bared his head beg a night's lodging. 1 have rather a bad knee and it’s gone back on me In the midst of a long tramp. 1 won- der—" “Come in.” interrupted Anne hos- pitably. “It's bitter cold out to-day and the drifts are awful. We haven't as many fires as we used to keep, but you're welcome to sit and get thawed out.” Robert lLoring entered the low- celled sitting-room where a small cyl- inder stove gave forth welcome heat in the center of the room. The cor pers seemed chill and dusky, but in the circle of warmth from the stove it was very comfortable. A sewing ma- Make the litile ones happy by having a THANKING OUR FRIENDS AND PATRONS FOR THE BUSI- NESS THEY HAVE EXTENDED US THE PAST SEASON, WE WISH ALL A MERRY CHRIST- . Vit We have a complete line of in Axministers, Tapestrics, o e Art Squares Wools and “As a matter of fact, I came to | chine was drawn withia the maglc chair and beside 1t a huge work basket overflowing with bright bits of silk. Anne pushed a big rocking chale close to the stove und motioned Lor ing into it. .“Sit close to the fire and get thawed out. Girace will fetch you a glass of curraut wine—or maybe you'd rather have a cup of coffee?”’ She beamed hospitably at him over steel-bowed spectacles that were the color of her silvery hair. “I would say ‘coffee’ if it were not so much trouble,” hesitated Loring. “It does seem an imposition for me to drop in on you in this manner, but as 1 was explaining—" “It will be no trouble at all. Grace will be glad to make you a cup of cof- fee.” The fair-haired girl hastened to a tiny cupboard and brought out a small canister and a coffee pot. Miss Anne, excusing herself for a moment, rose and left the room. Loring watching the young girl's graceful movements was suddenly impressed by a painful fact. His hostesses were unmistak- ably poor. The girl had shaken the last gratns of cofice into the pot and filling it with cold water placed it on the top of the cylinder stove. Then she stepped to and fro from cupboard to table. laying a meal on a sSnowy cloth. There were fresh bread and butter, baked apples and some slices of cold ham. \When she had invited him to gies upon his lips. Just then the door opened to admit Miss Anne muffled in shawl and hood and trembling witl agitation. She scemed to forget l.or ling's presence and her words were ad dressed 1o her niece. “Grace pencd? That—that—he's gone!” Her thin hands flew to her face and the tears trickled between her fingers. “Oh, Aunt Anne'” The girl threw her arm around the older woman’s shoulder. “Are you sure? Why was there not a half hour ago because I looked at him. How do you suppose he got away?” “] guess somebody has taken him he was so fat, too, Grace.™ \iss Annie sank down in a chair and slowly re moved her wraps. “Oh. dear. 'm afraid yvour coffee will t cold. Sit down and ear your supper, si “Thank vou.” said Loring. as he oboyed “1 hope, you are mnot in trouble. Miss Anne? Is there that 1 cun do to make thing | proving eves. All at once laugh dinner? | is empty.” casion?” asked Loriag. circle and there was a 10w rocking | right 2" Miss Anne surveyved him with ap-, her eyes | wrinkled pleasautly and she began to “Do vou think vyou can dis- cover wio stole the white rooster we | were going to have for our Christmas I had him penned up safely and 1 just went out now to have a look at him and he is gone—the hen house MAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR. sit | down, lLoring arose with many apolo- | what do you think has hap- | he “That is too bad. Can't I catch an- __Miss_Anne besitated and looked at shall just take my packages and have | started 1 couldn't stop, so I went other one for you or was the white ' on through the village and bought all rooster especially fattened for the oo the rest of the fixings—I bhope you Fabrics at prices to suit cvery purse. v e+ E—— But the girl busied with Christmas by mysclf in the woods.? her bright silks did not lift her eyes; Miss Anne's sencitive pride had a faint color glowed in her cheeks. prompted her to wave aside the “There isn't another chicken about profiered edibles. but as Loring re- the place,” said Miss Anne bluntly. “I placed the packages In the basket she may as well say, sir, that it was the | watched him all unconscious of the last of my flock; that's why it is & dis- | fuct that her eyes were wistful. First appointment to me.” went the plnmp goose and following Loring arose from his chair and it were (urnips and potatoes, cranber- reached for his overcoat. “Then it's | rics and onions and celery; a bag of my place to scour the country-sida | White grape inother of nuts and a for one to tuke its place” he suldllurge and tempting box of candy. firmly. “Please don't tell me not to— | With his basket on his arm, Loring it's Christmas eve, you know, and |turned to the door. “l must thank you there isn't a soul that expects me to | for your kindness,” he sald gravely do anything and I'd like to feel | was | wThere I1sn't Another Chicken About of some use at such a time. 1 won't | the Place.” return without a bird of some sort if | 1 have to rob a roost myself." | "You hava taken me in and permitted Without walting to hear their pro- | me to rest when I was cold and tired; tests, Loring let himself out into the and you have offered me the sweetest star-it night and plunged into the | hospitality. 1 wish you and Miss crisp snow. | Grace the most joyful Christmas you Two hours afterward when he re- | have ever known.” turned heavily laden. the windows of | His hand was on the kunob when the farmhouse glowed pleasantly and | Miss Anne stopped him. “I don't like seemed to offer a welcome. As he |to have you go like that. sir stamped the snow from his feet at the | welcome to remain until you can re- side door he heard Mies Anne's volce | sume your journey and to our fare raised in warm approval. plain as it {s- the Leightons have al- her niece i pitality. but of late years “leighton'” interrupted placing his basket on the floor and opening his overcoat. “Are you Miss Anne eighton?” | Mizs Anne’s round eves opened wide, l.eighton, of Boston? Yes? Very well, my search is ended then Tam Mr. Leighton's private gecretary, Robert Loring, and he sent me to seck you out and present this letter. 1 be- well as an offer to make your future home with him. By Jove. but it's the merest chance that led me here. 1 reached the station all right and hired a man to drive me to your place. He lost his way and we traveled half & day; then he managed to upset me into a snow bank and he made off. leaving me to find my way back to civilization as best 1 conld. Yon see fate led me here” He was looking at Grace's downcast face rather than at Miss Anne's excitedly bobbing figure. “Grace Leighton here we were watching for the expres=mat ng Cousin Josiah was going to send his waists usual presents of silk and here is his letter and a check for $50 You wished us a joyful Christmas, Mr. Loring: I guess it's going to be one!™ “1 have a feeling,” said Loring. de- liberately, “that it is the beginning of many happy Christmases for me.” “Well. now, Grace. I believe the poor fellow will be tickled to death to get that pin book; he said the didn’t have any folks—he seems honest enough Loring stumbled {into the warm room and let his packages down on to | the round table. He held his cold fin-| [je was still thoughtfully regarding gers to the heat. “1 didn't find the tpe sweet profile of the young girl white rooster. but 1 did corral the | pending over her bright silks. plumpest little white goose you e\'er! saw; it's such a long time since I've ; prepared for Christmas that cp~c Christmas Thanks. When turkey's on the table laid, And good things I may scan, I'm thankful that I wasn't made won't object—oh, well, Miss Anne—I A vegetarian. You are | ways prided themselves on their hos- | our io and substantial; all finishes. { i lLoring, “Yes——why do you ask?” Loring took a letter case from &n inner pocket and searched carefully in it N “You are a cousin to & lieve it contains a Christmas gift as | Rockers Ruck and be merry, nothing will vou happier than rocking in ckers, - ; { a buflet or china closet, [+t show you our line. 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