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fi "Christnv !| Cf ? i i t ' A i- < V '^s v \V'-^H N \ } ^ ^L V> ISMM ^HHHH^Hn^BE^ ^nnEBn^KwSinflMiiBi ?l ' B L 7^ _ Jl^ ; CHRISTMAS i " t RAINBOW CANTON I 9. K; "" " | I- By ADDISON HOWARD GIBSON. . p ? | [Copyright, 1912, by American Press Asso, . ciation.J t A sketching for two months [ In Tarions parts of the Rockies. where he had been trying to forget that he was the most miserable fellow in the-west. Claude , Extra m, "artist unarrired^as he styled himself, turned his jg?$a4o ward his lonely mountain cabin among the pines in Rainbow canyon. - Purposely he had Shunned Denver, declining the Invitation of two artist friends to a big Christmas reception. He did not want to rtm the possibility . . ' of meeting j^dyee. It would be pain* .j,ful to boto, Jinto her tother bad de4 Ezmtmceft him ti a /'good for, nothing. , fortune hunting dabbler." ' ..' 'ft Art must flwt be.mastered, the cold ?erittes, won, then if Altfyce had not f "forgotten. bis. great dream would be11 home sweet reality. But what if she should forget hiraV Tl^ere was a v." ' cajmeiQUsuess in the sex' that was quite beyond his understanding. ! It was noon when be reached the large cabin among the pines. The first j room he visited was the studio, gay j ? with warm colored Indian blankets and the walls covered with sketches by his own brush and a few copies of the masters. On his easel was an unfinished picture, just as he had left it when he went away in the latter part of October. He drew aside the cloth, brushed off the dust and looked long into the laughing brown eyes of a lAcoir <riri I'urlerneath was nenciled , the name "Aldyce." With a deep drawn breath lie replaced the cover and went into the kitchen. In the large zinc lined provision box he found that Joe Clark, the prospector who had looked after the cabin during Claude's absence, had obeyed his instructions by leaving a sack of flour, some beans, sugar, part of a ham and dried venison. "Now I'll have a supper after my own appetite." he declared, making a fire in the little stove. Presently a pot of beans, with a piece of ham to give flavor* was bubbling away, filling the room with its savory steam. Then Claude swept the floors, wiped the accumulated .dust off the simple furniture and proceeded to make a lonely house look comfortable. "I must decorate to be.in spirit with the season." he sail, after scanning walls and unadorned mantel shelf. By the time the young man returned with his arms full of decorations a C0I(1 W1UU was rncing uu\?u me driving: d steadily increasing: fall of snow aud t,leet before it. "Gee! Old Boreas is sending me some Christmas weather with" all the frills." he soliloquized. making a run for the shelter.of the en binClaude had scarcely put the last of the mountain holly on the walls and built a cheerful big fire in the fireplace in the studio when the door burst open, letting in a dash of snow, in the midst of which stood a slender youth in a furry overcoat and cap. with huge goggles over his eyes. "We!!, can't you come in and shut the door:" demanded the artist impatiently as he stared at the apparition before him. "I must look like I'm posing as old Santa, don't IV* laughed the boy. Then, with a start of recognition. "Claude Extrum. as I live and whistle!" Suiting the action to the word, he gave Tent to a prolonged whistle. % i mtmmmmKmmmmmmmsammmrnmmmm?mmmmmaummmMM /"? s\i5 ?* 1 asbiftl^aw. JL ;; v: :- . v . .y. .\\v . ' :vvj;,:.v'/ ilie? <:ii-->1 ;??t*w rod and white b,v j The J turn-; as :.<? roeojrnizod the boy. it j awa; was the sixteen-year-old brother of j "II A'dyee! J ror. "Ilal I*ann"e:\s!" lie cried. "Where ! ^ou did von dron frnmV" | siste "From tin- snow clouds." answered j Ck the youth, hugging the surprised artist. a gri "This is souie luck, all right, finding j ing ] shelter, and just think of its being your [ help* mountain retreat. Aldyce is out there J ly st in the car. The machine broke down { hanc just below your cabin." j foots "Aldyce In the car out in this storm!" j folic cried Claude, buttoning up his coat and i rushing to the door. j smel "Yes. We were on our way to Fra- j Hal. zier's. up Bear canyon," Hal shouted j placi his explanation as he clung to his com- j Pied pauion's arm through tlfa snowy gale. "N "The Fraziers? are giving an old fash- gast loned Christmas ?r<? party at their i soml ranch house. Teu know Aldyce and j men DeltV^rezier were great" pals at school. | gues so Aldyce was beuad to.go to the par- j ated ty. I was sure I knew the road there, j "T but this snow cnrae en se suddenly 1 j ing.r was a little confused where the roads j shall fork. Aldyce insisted this w^s the right ' U1 .war. so we came di? theiiirrong can- ; chin,' VOB " X I teg i The artist paid iwsEnt heec0e . ung euit? "B&nnier's explanation. X? they, sturdily j a t>I; brev^4i|^^,-Q- burdened wind j "T rajrard the eri^ec^oar be was think- the ] i \ f '/ |1 ? ' j ^j (^nvl ^ .' ' hofo I " "A ?; Eimj ^ |?iK <3> *?* u s c u ^ ^ r,( read "help! help!" she ci:ji:d in mock ! ,, TEiJUoIt. I your iii^" what a stranjre prank fate had j mm-.' played on him. lie had wanted to bury i *Ir- 1 himself in his mountain cabin, sixty- j*Ie the miles awav from Aldyce. and here from she was, snowbound at his door. The wrecked automobile in the snow j "A tempest l<>okcd like a red rock half here buried in rairina: whiteeaps near a "I stormy shore. In the buck sent sat a j steal airl voile:! and Had in rich furs. j ph'ti "AJd.we!" exelaimed Claude. opening < so li the door wide enough to admit his ! crot head | yout "We are uninvited quests." laughed "Th the girl. giving him one of her small j Sli gloved hands. The j:irl was the more j him rational of the two. the young artist I "I lanna too <-on fused to offer the ?us- i hold totnary eourtesies of host. ' "1 "Come. Claude, why don't yon ask us ri'-a in? I'm Letting <old." she reminded ! the him. "Perhaps you want me to freeze I tarn stiff and stark out hero >o you can have ; .PJry a roal model for a famous painting en i th titled 'Frozen In a Motorcar.*" she ' r'\v laughed lightly. j hut Without a wi-rd in reply she felt her wire self lifted in the man's strong arms ' tou< I ?????? ?%?vlit nu next second be was hurrying her y to the cabin. elp. help!" she called in inock ter"Ilal. bring: the suit cases. The ntaiii brigand is carrying off your r." mde Extrain deposited his guest in ant o:kv elmir in front of the hlaz [>ine log od the tireplace. Then he 3d her remove her wraps. Presenile sat back quite at her ease, her Isomelv shod feet on an improvised ;tool, while her face glowed in the I iiig tlrelight. That are you cooking. Claude, that j Is so tarnation good?." demanded j sniffing robustly asvlie found a j 3 for the suit cases in an unoccucorner of the sfcudio. ot a Christmas turkey, you young ronomer," answered Claude, his >ereess leaving him trader the 7 mood of Ms two unexpected ts. "Tt> beans?pure, unadulterbenna*" he added, with a tragic air. his is a regular bean soup eren' Observed: Aldyee: "I'm sure .! I enjoy ft." want ttre 'hrrgest bowl in your n collection,.'" ordered Hal. assistthe artist to sift flour for the bis;. "Nature baa endowed rae with j sized attachment for bean geup." be full." said Claude, lifting ikl to/jri'.se the-boy n.peepv "bufif I a* extension;we< might j ; the Trash boiler into service." was a merry meal to which they ! lown as the early dusk of Christeve lie.wto creep into the rustic io. Hal declared the Ifean soup nectar, and Aldyce herself piunee er sleeves m l made delicious cof- | But the reaction came to Claude j ie close of the feast. He suddenly j e:l hack his chair from the table | sat moodily storing into the erueu- j ; enit>ers on the hearth. I lye regard *<1 the young man's ; led countenance for a sliort time | lence. a mysterious twinkle in her > eyes. Then she arose and walk ad to the window. ! ,'al," she called to her brother, showed symptoms of dozing in his r. "the snow has almost stopped, int you to go out and see if the s still properly covered." th a yawn the young fellow obeywhistling merrily as he trudgod 1 the canyon. ickly Aldyce opened her suit case, out a long envelope and laid it re the artist. Christinas gift for you." she said >!y. the mysterious smile now lurkit the corners of her mouth. "Open laude." ? oheyeil and a crisp check for )0 dropped into his hand. Then he the accompanying note: ar Ohl Pal?The inclosed check is for painting, "Rainbow Canyon In Sum" sold to the famous art collector. Stevens of New York. He wants the ; scene in winter at your own price. :ays to be prepared for some orders his friends Merry Christmas! LAWRENCE. Jdyce, how did you learn I was V" he asked, moving toward hei. .awrence told me. I was in the * - ? -1. * \ t L1flw\n rr I?t \ n:ir II) \\ Ill'il .11 r, nici vun ui'u^iii .'"vii urc on exhibition there. He wa> i.'tppy for yon lie let out your sothat you were coiuinu here to bury self for the holidays." she replied en 1 planned"? ie hesitated, blushed, looking at with iaujrhin;r eyes. )ell Frazier's party." he finished ly low dare you insinuate that 1 fab ted that as an e::< use to lirinjr ym: yoi?d news of your fortune?" slu ited him. assnmine: a tone of in " sprang toward her. Willi a 1:1th of feigned fright she eluded hip stopped under the han.rin^ lain; re a dauuliu^: spray of inistlefp he 1 her hair. Then he kissed he jp, ^IR?*tt^ ' ^ VBlflH jpp ... y .'S'':- v . - . < . v : / / f ] '. t-V. /*" f.-v.: VI \m-j " . " : ~ ; By Cirfe Hooker Eaton 2; 4 1 i , i TfT prettywere - standing "" I 'Neath a sprig of mistletoe, r With . her roguish * eyes * * / ? a-twinkle i And her rounded cheeks >\i aglow? thF right e; CHRiSTMAS WAY . Ilet By MRS. H. L. MONTY. ns,. T r~ [Copyright, 1912. by American Press Asso- ! eiat ion.] "^^11. Mrs. Overly, I .just thought ! a I I'd drop in and tulle. Christ- j ' 1 f inns to you. It's all I hoar at ! home, and I"~ . > a AriJtwvi* m-mw > vorr rtp>:ii* voilhir i be A\ ll \ UllJiV i ?? ll.-? (4 V 4 4< V... ?* " friend of Edna and Vera JSverly. and 1 Christmas and all the wonderful se- * ercts belonging to it had always been ! discussed as one family. She was amazed when Mrs. Everly turned |\l abruptly and said; "Alice, don't. 1'iease \ H don't talk Christmas this year." j ^ Alice hurried upstairs, where Edna j t and Vera were brooding over the same i ^ command, given them the eveniug be- ; m fore. | a Edna was the first to speak. "I don't [ aA understand mamma at all. Before she j K has always been the first t.o begin tlie I fcZ Christinas gifts, and?and she never i RS tired of planning." &f Vera was angry. "Last evening papa r [a* said: "I think, mother, that Santa will j 1 have to unload that tine dining table j / at Bradclaugh's for you Christmas ! / The one with'? And that was as far \ as lie got. Mamma said; 'Father, thai j i will do. Christinas will not he mentioned to nie this year.' And?and this morning mamma went to the furniture store, bought that table and has it ail set for dinner. I know papa will be hurt." t:..., ?l .... ,.i> SO I ? \ I I V~l"" JC4l.J|'<<4 l||' \ ".MV ' ??. -r. . . Lot's uo or :ind nnisuM Aunt I?o:?y.** The iriri-, told her l hnit* ( 'lirst ni:!> tr??iil?U'v :md .-tlmni the dining lnh'e. She V;ls \ ?T\ ijnii'l for ;i few <?v onds. "Wh.it did yen yi\e ye:;v tn.-tni nin !;ist Christ nui*.? " <he ::<';ed. !V: "The Axir.i:;<rrr mc f ir the ;i;;;:nr. i;' stmas Qt ' 'ir ' t ?nHKK|^ Bg^ ? ii jriris nuicUty answered. "Papa I ?s us ;i dollar every mouth for our \ k. to i e kept just for ;t ('hristmas ; for iu::ium:i. and then he adds to- ; r?i* what is wonted." i k'os'm." (juicily answered Aunt I ty. "And t!ie Christmas before?" 5 \ brass bed for iho spare bedroom.** i fos'in! And the Christmas before?" j e' Ai:nt Hetty auain. ho j:irls hesitated a little, theu. "A ' ten ! "FOU TKK DKAUEST iluTKEU EVER." ?.f ]<m;i??M* ?li:iin^i clinirs. Mini a rri? < !r;ir for"Yc^ni'' .\ti:ii Party's i\vps "lr? siK in :!n> nn?r:is cli ii'V" | iu it i:i t!u? li!?;;iry." \ <v 'Wml -<i:< i:> il il? o r:'\ :'!i I Sit mo : i/ii I!a\. ^ ! ' \ *t.i t ? .a (estion ji* yllJr* - :W0m ijfffflg <44 ; y<s*W0)vr#-j:} ,'i A - 4 s ?4 : ; . ^i r fRi^?!!* %; Villi C#fyrifl>1. 1912. by Am?ria? Prw? A?ocUli?n TIT pre*?y <"4 W rc , *r wiitint t Shy, expectant, coy and glad, Would you turn and run like sixty, And, if so, tvhich to ay, my lad? era: v. She laughed, sang, jigged, and then with. a hug she nearly upset Aunt Hetty and said. "(iirls. what silly folks we all have been!" The girls left Aunt Betty an hour later, and Christmas was not mentioned in the Everiy household, bufejthe girls and their father looked unusually mysterious and happy. Christmas morning dawned crisp and clear, the spirit of the day abounding everywhere. Kdna and Vera anxiously awaited their mother, having sent their father to bring her to their Christmas room, which they had trim mod up in evergreens and bells, after she had retired the evening before. They met her with tender caresses and led her to a chair prepared purposely for her. Edna brought her gift, a beautiful collar of her own work, and pinned it on with a brooch, in which was her hirthstnnc. The mother drew the face of her first child to her and kissed her., a tear dropping on the upturned face. Vera bad quietly drawn near and laid a bundle of dark blue silk on her [ mother's lap. "For the dearest mother I ever.7 she said as her mother drew her ! closely to her. sealing the precious : words with a kiss. I Then faTiier came forward and. tnki ing her hand in his. said as he flipped | his gift on her linger. "What I couldn't [ give the dear little woman when we : ;ii-ii' I out together 1 trive her now." i Tin* bewildered woman s:i\v through fast falling tears a mairnificent <1 i:?I moml sparkling on her ha ml. "O h," said Vera, "such a time as I've ! had keeping secrets!" "The liappie.i Christmas I've known : for years." remarked Mr. Kverly. ; "Me. t(?<>." exclaimed Alice Milner. 1 "I tried to iiave some one let tne in with my little irift i = ?r the ipteeii of the houseltold. and to one In eded my call, so 1 mine anyway " And a lovely eomh was added to her tev^onfs "This iv what ' hnstmas means; jriye to ertcli tor liieit own." And Kdtta stained ;!n i.-.ii niiMnvr for a geiie:*nl i ChrtSt III.I: J I'o ic.