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Show I CHRISTMAS AT PEERY'S. The wind w ' 5now ln ,w,rls .soiml ..ke l'c. ry how. " a-usls ot it w.-,l in t Hi-: f'"''1" "f (loom nml wimliius, nukm the proi-lc hisiik nlRO Ul nrarr-r In Ihc l"K'" flames n.riiiit Iron, three K i'"1 WBl.iHC in 11.-; !e-. I""' "f '. fireplace. Tim dmcy rm'in. will' n""1,e" Kilters, nml walls MiiiiiK willl rims of ' ! scsilct prp.tr-po.l ami 'I'"'1 coin, was I I into an almosi lunr ness ol comlort by Hie lieni'iims ''itiii anil warmth ol the tiro, nml 11' simml of the storm outside inicnsuieil il'. 1 atiiiitphrre of cheer, j "I fmn now ye wish e'l ilmic ' I . tol' ye, nri' Rot Ihem dim ks l.ii.l ovci j with sl.ils," mmI (Iraiiclin.i I'e. rv, r w.iy int b.nk and lnrth ciinirt..lly in In r -I I uw rocker, and Innkiti;: leni'Mly at her ' j broiiilsliiiul.l.rid son sitting in opposite corner of the lire .plare. "Und s.ikrsl the win come under lh it door like n Kilns. I knnwed ye'cl . ' he fool.d liy lli.it sp.ll o1 line r,,lhet tell fie col' sli rim " rirjil onto u i. . I j I cny'nt Ret anyllilil' done in tins liu'if. 'less I do it msef anyway." , j j Ve nicd'nt be iawin' M inn," ans- , wercil her ion Roml niliircilly. "I ben' j j busy 'nullRll stoppin' CT.urks irl oilier ' j lo ks' houses, Miou'l bultirrill" round 1 , home." ;.i' The others hushed, as ttiry ere uvil to dolng.al Jake's ilio'itrv and micon-i micon-i j ; rem. Ilii rtmliiie.s to help others al I ' ihe epene of Ins own inlen-sts uss '. I , w, II unilcrslood hy Ihe people iniind j i the niuuni.iini us bis infinite K"od I humor, nml Ihejike ol Hi mother's ' Intended seventy at the li.iWnial sl-irk- ' ness of her sun in natters ol person il 1 . j concern. Abe and Steve I'eery (tl.mred over At , , : i he girl silting n litlle outside the circle , at the luither end of the liciilh. She I ' was about nineteen yc.irs of age, her , ' i rounded figure clotheil in a neal-hiting I woolen gown made III the simplest ? fashion, 'ihe warmth of the- lue hail brought a trimsun glow to her cheeks ml ihe robir made her gray i yes show ulnuxt blai k under their arch, d brows. Her lrk hail, parted and curled low on hrr while lorchead, nave her cmpirtiMi preltincss llial kept tlie eyes of the two I ! young men wanderliijj towards her III spite ol themselves Met ling then 1 glances now, she II ishcd back a smile at each Willi e.Ual partiality. "I olber folks paid 's llllich attention ( I to Fa's comlott 's he does to Iheos we'd !. ;j had our bouse built new all over," she t '' aai.l, bending a (nnd gl.inreul hrr l.tthcr. , t ''They don't any ol 'em seem to be ( ' takin' turns tloin' his chores ler him," : said l.raiidnia I'eery, "en if we'ie goul' ' ; tcr iiavetli.it pally Christmas we ilon'l ' ., want I' ther company sittin' round in t i shawls 'n nu.tll -is t' keep warm. Look's ; '; ii we wus likely I' have a parly t'niht," , she continued, suddenly lurnmic iron ! j the subject, and huldtiiic her hand tu her j j car lit a istemtiic attitude, "there's ' some'un else ruiiim' up the road. 1 ; .1 don't see how tuias km be Kathvautin' 1 'lound tu other lolks hoiisrs a niKht like I this I should think they'd raiher be -1 t' home." ; Q (fiandma I'eery's sense of hearing i woa aa sharp as her tongue and ils acute ( ''3 ness was proven anew tonight bv the ; ( j J rap at the door which presently followed ; , her prediction. i d "II it ain't Dan Green," said Jake, as i J 5 the door opened to his ready summons. .' : ! "Wher'n thunder d' ye hail friim, any. i ! j way," he continued, drauKii'K the new i ll comer into the room with a hearty hand, i ." I shake and wuic nne. "1 wus tlown lo ' ' ' j) Joe's a couple ol hours ao u his lolks ; 'i J said th' slurm'd likely keep yet over t' I I'ine (ulch lur a week t' come " I 4 "I started over at noon 'u thou't I'd ' . make it acrosa I ld il'ur 'lore the snow t .1 1 ! Rot here," said Oan. taking oil his hull f ; 'I alo-rube overcoat ami shaking hands 'Il all around. "1 run light into me heart ' ' ' :i o' it top o' the ilivide, huwsoinever, 'a J ! i )es hail th' liveliest limn ve ever see . I a roimil' clown that trad thruiiKh lh' It 5 clouds in snow. Ilout Ihc closest call 1 I 'eer had so lur as 1 'inemher." I i "Set up 'ii leis hear 'hum It," ke ! 1 ! said, iciviiik the new c .mera seat in ihe .1 'I circle. "What sent ye acii.ss any w ay, (j j smurt at, weather sign 's yuupertendt' l I U'" I 1 "Well ler one thuiR I heer'n ther' , T ! win itoin' I' be a dan. e set up at lake i, " ! I'eery's Christmas niht 'll 1 come over ( I I' C.I 'n invite," j ; Jake struck Dan's shoulder in hearty I glee. "I ben sav' in one wrapped up 'n tissue i paper III case ye come 111 lime,'' he i laughed, n c k .i cuinii on ii lh. I Hkiii : 1 'ai comes ter ttn tr iuvi.es ts gout' lf hav' ! th' clloicest place reserved lur the'r 1 troub.e.' "I cum most nigh goiu t' 'nolber kind o' pany trym t' nil heie,1' said Dan. ".Slide struck Ihe trail 'bout where I ' win iidm' long, 'nil I h.ul'nt spuned th' ole nsg up ter u-c her le(;s lue I Streaks o' l.gtililiii' 1 il hen th' hottoiu i ; O'agulcll packed lip 'll snow's MIU;; ' . oystt is.' ; . i "It e ba.l'ut h.u Dan llieen ye'd never lived lo he setini' here tellin' 'bout it," s.ii.l ake. 1 . "Uh.lt 'II. i I ii.ll 11 m. re'il -iimeo' Ihe loose snow shpitd down," n pl,, j j ' Han modestly, out 'taas 'liolih to !. kivcr u man up clost ill thaw-'iunc ' What made me the iiuiddt st w iu l.in' i"e Chrisimas tree I wiu hii.ni-ov, r t ' decorate ycr pnt. l)n, :,hu. k , ; 't want any omaiy coninion tic.," he 1 i said lis lake pointed to tne huge, ever- . gieeu that had I. ecu hewn iioiu ihe moutllain-side 1 ll.it lllortili.g "tw as B tiee 1 ihskivelcd 't aher side o' Old liar' that I never sec in tu' r.yi.,n licit-bouts licit-bouts heloie. I don't know in' regu.ai I rnmie hut wher' I ki in' Iroui we called I lll "lut'-busl.cs. ' lolliu ol Hi I was Il .wc-rs bein' red rut Himi ll..mfs 'n growiu' lluik ' havis trotii lop i' holtom. 1 happened l' -py III in through some bushes mi' Wlimb up the liioun-la. liioun-la. n l' see what wu. They was jes two tics ol 'tin. one I'rowiii' out o' a clump u h.g rocks n I'liullur 'l the cd;;c ul a pu-spicc 'i y sheered clear oil 'hunt two hjinlre.l bet. 1 not 't one tioui b-jtaixt tlie ' . rocks, 'n kl lh' other ler some ' yu youi.ij lelleis lllet wauls tu hebrmvlil : It ler ti Lhiistm.is gill lor his sweet- lieait, l 1 was a young 1,-llvr lonil n' 1 ) , now, I'd hev' ihel oilier iirc-imsii down i . j I ler Uinsinias tree lor my gnl." He winked slgnilicanlly at Ali ce anil . , t ll,e tt'rl laughed and blushed. Sue hid lul lui woik tail in her ap ud w is ' ! w'will, onJ'l'Ind'"'" ""! '" "A mi lould caie lor a man 't dj yf (hat, she sai l presently, slid snnhiil: I. nt without iil'u'K her . i "It don'i li.ir lo me w'.ar th g I's co'uin t lien l' be eared 'h i, lw"' ver II mi.iiglit he'sanlh-r luli.-r. if 'lend-I in ins shdm' tlown ni l ll'ar tin ler a ton o snow it i-e l n-1 'ml l'l'' be lb' end o' swn ih. art. n' Willi lira lor lime to tome an s. rve 'mi richt ler a da. n (o.l too." IVe.r's soimt : i lid. in' 'n n cold slioiil.li r or odd m tiens " in' - laugh, d.ig. in. S'ie lean-d her lieail on her Ii md in it had heen shading her laic, nnd tneie was a hltle .or ol ii. pieiry ill tile gl.iilLes.iethrew.it lue hrollier-. "Im wdliii'l.i irv 111' t tliar if anyone 'I say the word," sn.d lb. young"! loioinv stiaihlv nil" II " R'ti I eye ; 'only I , ive lair w.ii i.iii' I d Lev I i le v -our . mill' Ml;e lo ll v I'T I it. illd lit do II jes f r Inn, n '! 'I 1 roul.l." I lie led ill Ali ce's cheeks deepened, a' she g .m -.il at Hi- ei.hr brother ball eag-lv. Tne re- w.,s nothinc called lor n ? hrl.t r.iib'.Ti, going on In re . ut t- ve's r y s.i..w o! u.illau- ..i..l it loused a htlle fe.'.ing ol v satioli all.l pi, pie .11 Ihe gill's heart. A .e had nev. r given ll.-r Ihe many litlle alien tioas sue w.is used to lece.vmg trom oil. en who h.ol run niter her, ' nnd lie onus inn h .d vi ed. even ill nigh ll allr.Kic I In r. Ilisllil.ue w is loo earn i st tn peinnt Any p.eleusrol lightlies in Ins si nous cniiii,c..ls, and Inougli the g.rl sen .ed, and le-pei led him lor ll, somctin.es she longed lo break llir.i.. :U his reserve -to surprise him mtit s me m ly t i haie a kuowie Ige of Ihe cir.,l ol her own ihllu in e wnll him. roingnl up hastily III her llllle hull of veMltl.ai and wounded pinle. " A gul d he b.,u ul tu eaic lor a man tliet il take such a riss lo please her, " she said, 'ihe words were- meant as n recognition id Strie's union leuiaik; that it might sound us a i ualleni;e Old not occur to her. traudiua 1'i.vrv upon whom Ibis little by. play had hern lost, inii rrup r.l tn m in in r iirelevalit av. "Seems t.j me ihe M.uni s lulled some,' she said; 'n'f 'lis ou i. en lo'o.s better be ipttlll' home whilst )e ion "Taint 's ll we cud keep e it. I i. glit -:ise lutes cm both l.e bukr om lioori tore up t' put the nrw one do,. n ler ' .' I hns'in .s, un' we ami got plate ler a cat nor.ilog, let 'lone hlllu.ill crlllelD. I'ls es' like Ii. Ill nil his h e i have A doren llnn.-.s lore up t once More he was ready I' straighten out one. I tol 'mi t' leave th' partition .up 'tween th rooms an Ihc old lloor lie 111 Ihu back bed room whilst he got the new one laid in ihe front, but 'twas no go,hc. 'd have bis own way ll old luiKslood'l Ihe door." "i'ou't let marm's taidiilms drive ye out less you're wantlii' to (i. ' sal. I lake, as the three visi.ors rose mid cum-un cum-un llled to put .11 their ovelioals, "I here's rootr. in the barn 'I yer mind t' Slav. " "I 'm itoin to have out my visit th' night th' o' parly,1' said I rain l,ieencr 'T in lavm' out t' dance till day.igiil 'I I wear Male Kelvin's liddlcstimet I' a thread." They laughed and bantered as they buttoned lbe bttt coals and twlple I Ihe woolen comloricis around their necks and went out mm the crisp muuntaiu u'r Willi heaily goud nights. Aoe was the only one who had not some hgui speech ol farewell lor Amce; but his tirowii ayes rested on hers lur a moment in a glume that made her beau vibrals with a ipilck glad thrill. There was little snow falling now out-side, out-side, and the wind had ceased its bins, ter though it still blew briskly end henely Irom the near canyons Through the broken clouds that moved belora il, patches of blue, atailit sgy were seen, presagcing, perhaps, a calm dawn and bnght sunshine lur the morning. morn-ing. Ilelow litem in the valley, the lights ul too Vlilagu sholl- like large stars, their I'htimiei' showinic Inenoiy und warm in ihe dead ilremmess ol the snow-coveted mountains, shutting the view on either III, nil. At their ha, ks ah Did Hear luounlaiil rose solemn lulus While robes, like some palriai, n or pro phel ol the lesser heights win Ii bed their beads below him ill .-trrte row, tu the val e. As the three uiaue then way down the load towards the town Ab - l.uthau spoke. "Happen' tticr's bin any news 'ftoir th' r.nu ll 'hue yu lell, l)a,.f ' "Well no Inn' illicitly. O.t'y thing I know wuz met Jed l.at-v stoppe I tUTt all liij.lll coiuin ov. r hum L.tilr It'.n valley,, ll giv It out 's Ins opinion Ihci wus 'bout down t' las lalloil.; ouilly ht coll 'n llluuldy tlour in the buusean' m' old man s on one o' Ills woist milium . Illlo the bargain." Abe l.uthan muttered something un-del un-del his blealli. Jed said ycr mar'in 'ptared t' be 'boul peteied out," I Ian w ent o:i "He kuowed she'd be sua uhed it sulh.u' wan't done peitv ipuck. We'd a sent souiclhiii' U(i lr m camp ovei tnevr, bin t kllew'd 'twas immortal Use ll s 111 tu manage lb' old man. 1 ti u ,1 it mil s i'lore illy husnes' iiilerh rin' 'u t' gu out to I ii ckonid I w .n't the parly I' play Sinty l.l. ills this year. Speaking o' Cm istulas howsomeier. ed said yer Inarm Mowed 'Iwoiild I c mighty cheer ul bavin' lon.e o' c lound 'oo.il lllet lime. They was bavin a talk whilst 111' ol' man was out tnilsrii'. 'u Jul std she scented I' l.e powerlul 'lecied tlunkin o' tunes yer all W is'l together " li.'ti hid reached home dutiiig their t ilk. and alter exchanging good iiighls the l.iothets walked oil logeilH I. "Tiicie s one ihing call he c. aimed on f. r Mile," said Abe as they plodded lliroltgh the snow towatds llieir sister's home, a dou.'le house at l.e lurthcr end ol tin- little village where they bo.nile I, making a part ol Hell's llllilleious I .111. , "l.ilher theie'l be a changeover llieie I the rauih, or iniuili I cou.e homo heie ail live Willi Us Ils a ihsgi.ue f n, 's well as f In, n 'n hei the way they'ir llvtii' all' th' tune's cuuie now lo let him know I call t go on anv longer. We uiu'l ci h. r o' us kids now t' b- bu'.ldoj. d l.k- wiu usl 't hoim;, an' I w're got 11, e right o' grown men now t' have niarm done heller bv." "Teats t me there's litlle show I' way out o( il," siid S eve "Vv both: , now well 'noiigh mnrm aint jtol itrit 'ii uigtl lo u-lve. .1:1' he'l s'irk I' Ihe ol' l.ia.e whilst there's a se.ir o' gr iss honlll' It" 11 I'U'll 'I. out lh' ground. C. e he would 'nl sdl-.in' now he . -v'tii. li-r thouglil o' Irnvin' it stand, in' i's' 'b iiilcnidl.-H his sltiol Kirn hlimd." "lamllrr lint' d. ink- now.' said he, wttii ipnet emphasis; "I'll have inarm out o' that 'lore Sen Years, or I'll siav there an' live lid he s wil in t' cry "D'ye me in t' say ver iroin' "ver theer lore New ears?" demanded Htee 1 I 111 gout t' m Tiow ni'iriuii," replied his i.rolher with emptia us. 'An' 111. is i.hri'ttu is an' nil?" "U.M'v. m..r.niiiM nmr. n' we will, bv our si.ii." .She F.iitl Hit tunc I a' ! v-nr 'wa Itk- dp.ii't in th-t O i-.-I.t- I 11 .'Ml (l H C 'lIHHIt S gilt VT -Olin't (' AtlV loin r.uit.l. Vmik.iuw ln.w t hsvcI t' he tiirr ?hc ninrntrtl him an llic clnMtrn ati' .l u' in h.mic tn-ilxrr I I'm ;i'i't hrr knuw how it .1 n'ctti Sivvr tu.itli' no r-'piy. .! whji lintilt- irirK ol Hk; fc.it titu r. it inipliid to lc hwjiv j m tin fsjM t i,il nine the long t.i ke'l ut ' t'.iriy ot I'n-iv'ii. ttnJ atiteiict? Irotn i A'.uf, ilnr liitter fsifi.ily Imul now, I in v t (-ot)iH-tini: k, )n c lrm her -" (leit'iiiih.,ilini to t'tit tn. tratttT to It l be 'nf uikithrr d.iy liaJ pns- A its rnurvl II" li.iil no iittitt nor cm ou;;ii;s nient f r In hrothrr.H proomtiun.an,. lor tne r si ul the uay lioinc thtry walk-il together ill S'ltrtuc. MntniMin ot U.nl whit reach- itii; intsj hriK'it ''lue rii er unilotm'! IV a ciouil ll'tir tunui.i' tonc'-x 'I wiiit p.ile turtn I'.e Iuah, ai.tl w.nr rule lir.ike the fctirlcr t ti.cxtrcp slot.fi into v'-ic e nr r.oi-ViTi r.oi-ViTi l oltlin,; df ap, h r h-tJowi ll at ttnetv it.e kImiIi'i, runlet miomm hi u tli.inum'i re. it I wit'i their dark net-I'tiK- i liroith the miow ittir- tou'iuiiiK Hi. slupe only iifso nr nT jimtu'ifinrcs were uutunril, tne -lit' Im .(11(1 ttt'H .n..1 roi.- of itn hilUi. e. lytllK Hi loriv.l s iili-U 'i Ol thQ i.a rt tiiow. Mi.t lioni KM. ml B'ul tifJl.u'l, the hills were hlc'.-- t niirlle inat.n iw an.l thei u,i on tli! -tfp . j lun a wnit'? nn- t uou vl npi iny ul 1 I- uiy from the lira. I Irv l o) no., war- rMti: lown me iiio'int mi and k;ivm .1 .!ari trml ut hurt i inU-ii'le in M wke. h nai the Iooho rniotv hlijtpinic fioin an urirertriin loiter nieut on oiuo nwp slupc ol t are rotk ami nuiilni; dmn the incline nil -toppeU ierli.i ty some r;tiUli or b.irrnr ol gnat ro(k; or il nonr were m tt way, .ith-rinor lorcc and impetim to ieep a broad uv.i anchc Ol Miows down to the v..l.e. Aniri,Kt:)iidinu at the window lnokinn nt the citd- ol white wall with now an I llim th' ir on inotm trnuw mi.ts riv ti-K and ni'ivnirK like npirit down the '..icinnaiii -ndr.H nve a hl.lt sliuililer ul diMd.ii.da1,nHrnion. "IM pvt. u Mht o' numcy t' know jtj.t wh'te thi-n. two's i;oue" s'lCh.ud anxioiuly to hrrcll. ' P ar ne. ho tt' Cti vm bodi rid iu' up towards the ole U ar ir.nl Larly U niormti. I hope r good-tit good-tit thty hcv'ni b:en tools 'nou;ii i' t.ike up ad. I .od 'bout them tire-bulu tire-bulu i. 1 don't know wii.it on airth M hike 'em ih.u w.iy Vept oine inlly notion no-tion or no, her. ' i'.nnt sle ler any man in the moum.un with all tti.it loe snow pi.cd up tiart: 'n tn' un ilnnin' as w-irin s autuinn. ll'jtti ot eri' old 'nuuj,h t' know belter pe tally Abe ' A huli: diHh crept into her checks as tlie lipn luiincd the t. one, and a nn:ik c limed the look ol anxiety liom her lace I "Ik-' iiwlut 'Irani 'boul lettin prople know l' he i.ire lor a girl she said tol -Iv to liefseli;" i don't iee however 1 could like a m m .hem so tumble proud. Ihil then th' others, there bout all ti o mixii the oihr way 'n I dtmt know ." ".t,itii e. tat e loraudma IV eiy'a shrill voice Irom the back room, ''(tier's nou a; h to do t' yet stretch. ened round lor t,.iiriiiiiut 'tiioul taken tune tar'iu' out doors. .Seem I' nie iatey yrr uro-in' uro-in' uioMt 'a slulilcut 'a ye'r l.iinnr." Ai ic i went to h'-r work but her thought wa elsewhere; and as she wint from I. mk to t.ittk tier rycn still M-.m lir-d m covert l.iiirei throiili the window, the toad Icaiimg through th ;.tep liny, ii .vrr i no suow biwiiled tuininit i ( J.sJ H'ar." iieond lue to j. ml a leadtna; to ttie j mouUi ol the canyon Aoo and htevc i La li.oi were ut.in,; thc-tr horses over ihe kUep, Miuu-.incd ti.til. Hotri were ' kiiciu, and .itevr rde with a lave anl en ; with dt-t, p .oiuiiii' ut and Uiscoutrut j At thry uu n a steep Incline Hticrr their hormH bir itned under the tank ol plodding through the derp snow, lie tuiiitii to Ins bioiher with a iiiuucred i linpicialiuii: '' .f'pe.ir t' die" he itaut wii.i a a tvaje intonaliun, ''luai yc don t i.r-l t to any Inrther Kr prool o' Ihe Mill goue cluse yer on; we not to turn r.iuadun'j;o back 'Kmc lonr il ne'ro live to do ii, 'ii it i jett tint danu ', t. tub-burn tub-burn natnrtj o )et' kei-pj o jom' in tli' lace ' tuein packed hilli, 1 i!oiit neo why we can't do it, '( Dm Orceti cud said Abe" "Iwjnt' fttuoburn uatuie nude hiui come 'cross I "i w.mt the same viliUday us Ulay. No.v th' sun'.t Muiun', an only a lool d li.mkurcuil K,i over tlu-ro sale. Vc knuw'j wjiI s 1 o, M.tr'in 'd uet her toot on It l.er.eil 'I a'.e hid hrr isal'' "M jnn ti bad hrr s..y to i much 'n them linns" sa.d Abe. ".-.tie's done n.nliin'liu sucntK-e her notion t' i tir Koo.I.evtrHime wvrs't eld nuu Ji t kiuiwwhal I meant, l.e.1 we cm do iiha' kiiouin' how :h ti,; s.-nuls is i' liy an' let her have her wi-iu,." "I've j;ot no a ml o woid at;.iuist it if Iw.u ' r-a..n ! r-pii- d .Strvr; "but sxti Utio.v v- .i i I ..... tiirr' Hint euhei o' us u.n' i' ii t:.' o i.er side o' Did li ,.r a. vu 'loci i niistmas My 'piimm nt ye 're yt sotmr u .:imi i' riirry out 'n rr jts uuk ii' b'l'v-.e hits tnp so a t u.t.y ii inroiiKh 'l'. ui beiu made t' 'per a b.ul. Ail 1 km' say n vr lio .u I to turn u-m k 'into i- ir.ch them "lile bus.lics" l)u u.i, t -iliu- 'hont an; 't.iui.'h't.do je much Kcd kit tin l.ud out .',ii k dcid tim i' pander Auc luine-d to his l.t.t-.li-r with a louk ol nu.tm-uliry t.i st ium ,u wtm:ll cn in;;. -d siid it nly to i-.ul. io he so l wiM an intonation of untie ihsua-.n; d-.t blind, i. in n' t.u . ud io.-: me ntu b'ltveur j on d ;h..njiht itir-l in-. ' "I Know ?be meant Vr t' try us," Si.ul Mne,' an' I &p.i-,rd e t m.iybe tlnn worth win e wninin' lh' "I m tiMu In r ere lit o b'htviu' ihe'i Hot t.-Ottod r,ri(v; to be uie.lll.ll1 Ul.:t she va, r.a.'i i.,-. ii-i, t," -'e replied I'jwiv. '-li I :l.oui:i.i she was thcikmU o' itiihn . i. tiir' ci d m ti a tu.m 0(1 -ti sei Ii lo.ii loul's eriant cause o' her wtuiu, I '-uiever Hrt lool near her door ti. sio" o do'im.'' Sicnr in. .ile in. answer lo this; and as nt-i vi.h - uroiher uitcd on, suheuly luintd ii;tn oiku mote in bis ride up lue mountain, liui only (ur a shorl way. Suddenly, ai mut dire tlv nhov- them nnthar.il. side)!!,,,,. A(in n err it creak mid whir, at'd the s o v came in an avalanche acrm ihvir p.ith. Btiih g v- ?pur itiMntly to their horsrS; i(lJ, Sieved nnim.il. frightened V t'n- ru ' md r.ur, re ircd and plung. M wd'lly ati'i nimhus y in a .stubborn 't.indsiill. i hen, with a pnra yzmg nrm at ti 'les lii-nd, Sieve lell the rush of tin- tfr-'iit dritt over Ivm, and in a moment ii was limiting and llounder-'tin llounder-'tin mully ui the im-ht like d-irkn--M and srnoih' ritiK banks ol snow sanely Const ion i I but one thing th it his brother's v e was calling to turn close at band, an I the sound of his horse's honf plotiiiiiat and IramphuK through tt.e barrirr -d "i",v was ncarcely a ois tai.ee of tt ii aids away. A lew ti.nncnts nnd he v,a her lireathmn ti e fn h air nnin, and ith a saline rs h.'Mng camecl heaven Itell, in tne sthi ol ihe bine sky and open 7(UUliKitt. "iu no nii're ncr'lesi 'n a warnin'," he icl nt I' ii Hi alter la-inj( breath. "We don t n d any niorj ol a lesson 'ter unr -i.irn nonsenie 'n this, I-tKky 'ler u . il tome .is a warnin stiti o' n iedr;- nt." "I don'i in:ve we'll com" cross any thin' wo".,' :i ibis Kom' over atiswerad Ins hrot'.-.f.- tU' t y. "Its onlv trt' loose snow iaui o, . i im-iii slippery stretches o' siiet-r r.MK tbei'a goin' t' slule now. M s: ol it', packed 'n frot 't t ont ititKoi:.' r nit tlmwcd out t' more till sptini-tinie.' ' ye in -tn t say yer Roin' l try Roiii' o:i niter thinr" demanded .Steve incredu ou-.y I'm rnc-min' l' try ics thet," f-iiJ his brother m a linil ton-. ' Then il ycr KoUbla-ted idiot 'tioufch t' do it attel ecb warnin' 's ibis, yer II no it 'lone.' sill Steve with n oath ''Ive hear in 111 o people llyin'in thr f.ce o' Providence, I ut 'pears t.i t io this brats nil fer liKjl-do'.tlS I ever mw. If yer a boun' t' ko on yetsidf, well 'n Kod; hut 's fer inc I'm Kt'i'i tke the hint 'lorn the kick, an' k hark. t.nimiil.n s he turned and lode towards to-wards home. in -tt hit brother plod led slowly on up tn- snow-waded dtd. K i liti down tne lanyou, Steve tli niht th.ui lul v ol hi narrow c-ca w, c Hir.tlulaiin limine if nt die. s mi i tune upon tne ocmrreme ih.it had iufiiiii"d iiiui with an excuse lor k'!'"1; o.d o( tv umvciCome ji'iirney- lie h ui not u.mted to (o-on:y His. shame ot Abe's vta-i-pie lotung bttn into an unwilling uci)Uici-cence uci)Uici-cence lo the plr.i ol duty. iW.v he was out id it, anil as hr t nought with reason cnnu,'li loexriupt bun livin bl.imc. KitlitiR out ot the mouth of t.ie drhle an! HioiiK tne road skuline the nwun-tain's nwun-tain's hase, Steve il.tiiLt-J up at toe In fill's n-oii.; like w.ilis ahout nun, their wmte sidrn niancd here an i tli -re Willi dark patches kit by tuo uuiii"r..us slides." In tim tno.iliis of i;u., lira and -ulliea upeniutc at the bacolt'ie mountains, ptled up drills lay w here the tne snow hid .dtivrd lrnn Hie steeper liialit holdnii; a debris oi broken trrcs, b.iiiers and tjr.iui.hes liruunt down in the r rtisn Irom the Inl.s, in un- ul tlie ht-.ip pilf.l in a Kully t.u ni the roadway, aomethuu cauni Mc.t ut-t- utijii, A K'eatn of cn.iU'-ti sii.n'.c in taiiliux contrast (o the t ax. 111 snow, and he rode clu: to l""k al it. It was a clump ot scarlet ll jwers r.hiiwtn.: Ir.iin tlie he.ip ol miow and broken tret a, and Steve anew that it was our ol the "tire-tuslies" .io itit w:m Ii hin had told them. W.'. i a bund el the broken cedars it was .: e.isy uk to pry the hmli from tne Iim . md in ten in.uu;eit wa ..ao.s ih- uddle, nnd n-wiriilinK n-wiriilinK ho.iu a. f, tiiuinpnaut and el.it d at inc. uestinv biai bad nude him ni.isi'.T urtiiis pn pii'u tortune. In the even i Sieve rode up the bill to I'eery's. j-ike was in the other part 01 the luusc putting Hie tinal nail in the new ll'Hir, and c.ramlm 1 I'eery sat tu the back kitciieit sttam in a the new milk ii.to hriithi tins to "set lor cream" u.o is. Christina, so that only Amcu was pre' r nt in the rouin when he entered with Ins prize. Sieve misinterpreted her lok of pleased reiirl as she haw him. and lie presented bi-t otltrin.: with some ol Ins sense ol assured triumph in his voice "1 bote tu mind thet ye was savin' las' nijrht, Ams," he said, " '11 1 thought I'd inn ye tli' Christina tree ye was hail-ke'iu' hail-ke'iu' ter." Tr.e girl's (ace flushed, but she'wai loi kmn bryond him expectantly at the donr ne had literal. Her inst wor.ls brouclit a dull to his heart and roused hit (-uiik temper into uly resentiii'Md. 'Wnar's Abcf" It was a natural expression ex-pression ul the anxiety she had endured throughout the day in her uncertainty as to their wiiercahouts, but Steve read it as an opt'ii sii-n ol her partiality for the other, and in the bitter humiliation mid disappointment Aot the moment llun back bis reply. 'Gunt:' lar us hu kin frm winv mill' thet a minded 't tend meu ruskm tner lives ler a tnlliu' wi;nn." Toe Kirl turned on him, her eyes and cheek-, biu.iiij;. "I'll ask ye t' mind how ycr talkiu' 1' me. S c.e I.atliau.' she said. "Yer n. edu't be (datum' me fer wh-t 'nother't ilotn ." said Steve, in a milder tone; ''lo i'yuive an-.wei to yer own sipi.ue ii'siioii. As fur mi 1 wa lakiu' wn-.i 't- .d 111 it-jod part, 'n aciiu' be-coidin'. be-coidin'. V.j Kin jiise o Uitct by my io' 11 ye lbe tu ". Wiiiil ojiinion md an' ,Ve has tlniiif 111 ifeutral s aitus ni:Kdv dtlletent, an' e-.tl set t. Uown Hut 1 ain't ha held t account lur uuue o las'n." "U'c meant nay Abe Laihan went trai-h.n away lur stcb reason cs thet?'' dcmarni- d Anice ' I rv t' 1 1' say he said he'd nv r ni); 'i a i,iii turever more ea cud hiui t human lu iuri t' i-.ku resk a limb an !i'e toi .1 l ,m otrilltn' vaiuty'assorted St-vt- dot:..e lly. "l.sn . ,j c-" exclaimed the girl in-diicnairl' in-diicnairl' ; "it I hadn't cue Abe La than the cieuit 111 re sense than to believe I'd be nit... .111' any such fooluhuesj I'd nevrt be u pestered with his connn' niKh mc long's ho hes 'a ys kin tell bun thet." I'.ir a' ihet'a ci)ucenied'"aaid Steve, redden 1 !U',"1 knowed of course e didnt me. tu t' li.ive either bun nor me Roin l' rrsk our i'Vi-s. All the saii.e, thuutli, you u.is .i)iu' you'd be boun1 l' ore lor ;i nun thet do it 'n I thought 1 might's well had out 'f ye meant t' be true whet ye declared. I ee I be'ii l oled th nif.h, an 1 suoulnd't wonder it A' e was tiout 1 i; tit t' kj" lie Mm le towardt tne door a if lo dt p .rt, iiut tht) K11' speakini: suddenly and sh.npiy stayed hi.ti. She crossed the r.i'.ni to where he was standim; und held om b. r hand. "li t loulit 1 was in earnest ahout thai whim, I'll show bun 1 waa in car-uu-.t Mil in the other, tuo," she said. I It was 1 liritUnius night. The lights from I'eer v N h use shone out from tne mountain moun-tain side like stars warm red beacons ol chc':r .ii the midst ot' the lonely while faUue-n;.. In the yard outside f.ie house the wagons, buuies aiidsund.y otnvr vchic c crowded toifuther yavc iair hint of die goodly uuiuber ot gueau 10 had acreptMl the "invi(e to Jak I ecry's party. I he Iront room, In up more by the nrrat lu;irtn iire than the plrtttiuil supply of caudles, Wll re-plen dent with holly and everrePn nn, 0, ( pymx thepiaceol honor hi the lar corner cor-ner stood ttie won lvrtul "nrr-ousii" brought by Strve its lUtue reddent and bios vtu interin 11. h d with the liht ol tiny sp- rin cin';. s made (.ran Ima I'eery especially lor ti.e occasion. In the cm r pa t of th. house the new floors in the "don PHm" hiitnm-''l 10 the souk! of feet treadinK hilan msly the m-ix-a . f oid Vncmi t" in accompaniment t the anund "I a ft I die and binj i plavd irtp c:W' ly by Natr llicini nnd ''Woo!' y" Hrown the Utter besr.iirjf bis 11 cknanie by reason of a shm k ol tow white curls su-inm dm); an extremely rud dy (.ice ol twemv-hve summers. Anire, in a cown of dark red cashmere that had d ine service as best dreis' for both her mother and g rand motti-er motti-er before her, seamed f drer than ever her lace, paler than it wont and framed Willi its it I. irk curl, show in in exipnsite adva-i'. gc wk .1111st tnu rtcti color ol hrr h'Kh cut bodice. Ilitia'ty of vivacious spirit and presence Tonight she went aboiil auionust the "compatiy'1 with an air ot qiiiritie- that nmuunicd aim 1st to abstra. tion. Steve, who was wuh her aimot conshuiily. ha 1 attributed h T manner to soui'-thitiK of a sense ol hash-liilin hash-liilin Hs perhaps liec tur of thftr "undrr st iiulin(;' foul t'ne other', si tiiK Steve's op' n devotion were fpuck to draw the couciui n tti-it '.'-.oni thin' 'straonliuaiy p trt icul.tr h id come In ut." ". almost thought it' l be Abe,' said .Mrs. Itievins, in a whisper tu a Kfonp gathered in tlie c inter, w ho were t orn-meniing orn-meniing on the sui'iect. ".cenis fine she alwaySKivc more notice t' the ohlest; but then oit c ivn't ever tell how a K'tl's koiii' f act Irom how she lets on. Ac utdin' t'my inuid, tliou.li, Amce 'd make a ilkeliei c;iom e l.ikiu' Abe he's atn apsiKhi st - I her 'n Stev-. I btt auytmnx that's Dm (reene,"she con tinned, as a knock sounded at the duor. "I'd know his rap '11 a tiiotisaud. I tole 'etn 'twas you,"t.lir said, us Jake i'eery op' ned the door lor the new comer. com-er. 'I jes was iom to pay 't I'd know yer knock any where lur alwus remiudin' men our 4)1' brmdle cow scrspni' her horns 'gtnst the bacK door come feed in time.' "J lift's the time I'm usuiily found knockm,' i-aid I)iii, an' I hope! a. n't linked my K'irss now " "Never rce ite. I a time cloiter," said lake, heum.', "the tanle s tes laid 'n all re.id. v oine rij'.ht out 'n sei up:,J "Jhsii at ,(,. pliasure, J..ke-1'se gut ti errant. vViierr's .Steve l.atli.m? ' 'liatiein' in tu1 other rootn. Wny .v.thin wronc. St pdad's tte'n kJied'na slide ov-r '11 I'ine tiukli-Slule tiukli-Slule coiiin nti' rooted up Ihu ol' pla e house, barn aV ail. Ah? h ippend to Kd there auoiit twenty minute utter it n nipeii'-d, Hti' n"t hi 01' marm out alive. II he hidn't c lauceJ 'iotit( like a not tne re wouldn't anybody kuowed at itb h .pp--iitu' lor wees t come ijein' o they're iivin' lone way oil theie in the nibs. I n' ol' iii.iii' l eu 11 warned time '11 aj;i.i ta.'H'l ale luin' titer.'' "Did ye aay bo was killed?' asked Jake. "Dead s a door nail. Sim- lh' rafters tnu -it a hit ;h no tirst tiling Abe dug tut htm, lr.it fi'. ol' in in waa done up lur-: he re.iche I noiite.'' " N A ; s marm was all sound."'' asked .M.s. lUe.iin. ' ..ui. I .1 nut 'n uriity's ated Sjoii's ih'y'd buried nr ol' man over tiicre, he w is set on1 conun' Mn it over nere when lu cud see I 'u .Steve, Seemed cs if she wa . y homeicK to be with her rhtldrtr-.. n noihin't'do but An? must b i ih -r over the divide to Hell's piace lur Lhri m.ts. .Sod 11 seemed t' i.er one'ilm l torot the mcutin' o Chrid s comiu' the last ten years 'ti s e w.tntctl t be mu .e t' ( -el thatiklul 1 hat's wtiv 1 come up ler Sieve. He's thr )oune4 o the lot 'n she hccma to kin' o h inker lur hiiii more'n the rest. Hell suys she hh eve thet's what uridn h r rrt ormk 1 t te tripSteve's bein t. e .Ua' baby n born on Chiiduius. iJ.d )-j say howaiiiiti- He made his wa , into the ro nn where Steve was lead n; wmc. ibruiiKh tin "ierl,"anda lew niomenis later Sri ve nine through the room with ai uncertain uncer-tain expression on Ins lace, nd set out for h .inc. It was an hour after Steve's departure that the last rueat knocked ; t the door ol Jake i'eery a l.o pitah.e house. Amce, who answrred tlie rap, turned pale ts she saw Abe standing m tne doorwav. His tireil lace w is sm lim; as he liiletl something Irom hi fchoulcr and set il uiMile the door., "it's a trifli) latu to :e htluuiii a Chrisfnas tr hut 1 thouHl I m'y'.v o well hutu-it al..I (! snc. r s I'd k'ici.uI it down tin mono on." He 1 el l out hit t , e hand iu cheeritii' t reel in? and Amce let h'-r own fall into it 111 hi-1'neis mviiht ition. "I'd hku i know where'ti creation yi u crime c-ros. nottn r ihrm tiees iwe n tli.sai' I'm., .;u!o.i,"rill.d out Dm (.rerue, c viciihij. siKot (.f Ah -s htr(::i. I Iw'ii tvr near e:.-rv in. :io 1hr.11 niouinan-o. 'n nvrr r.i- im ti e 11 l, o. One o vosi 111 11 -1 I nnd my tne illo.t in the sli.le. I K u a sur v.mv o hu li ' oul ' In. li one o xou's he n i!i' 'in' my Mm !" jri iiy tli w.,y l haikcd i!ie or.inci;e,,:Mttin'it down. That .learned axe o mmc dipped an' sheared oil all th' hram iies .m' hark 't one aide. M aim yours," he said, rnhr.illyex.tm hull the tree A'e had set inside the i!oor. This ii ain't st en th, tear o an' ax- t's he'ii pulled up hy the roiti." " Tne snow done moi o thet work," said Abe. ".-terms il M commeii. eil t' slide Irom th' ide o thet precipice wher I 'twas urowiu' nu iu won It r didn't take I tlie ir..e 'lon. loo.1- Dan j; ,ve a qu-er xcl.tm 1M0 1. "V.ni must had some liaihte in nifUvriii' t' Kit on; liter crost tin viuar C.r th it tree 'ihotit hem tmried alive.'' 1 11 ur wan'l . i k nd o ina ieuvern. boul it, "...i:d Abe, L.uip!. entiy "Hn ground hid he 11 s-vc.)! 1 lear o suow bv Ihe h..e, -n when 1 wa- cnmiiiCici home ajsnn 1 nit-utiotied hout w,;e e you sevl vcM scf.11 the h idi s an t w.,n lookin' out (er 'cm. A 1 had t' do w. t' tli m I) out the cde o t ie rock and it tht- trt e." "M'was iniKoty scaly crmin out there il 'iwa-t 011 hir nfouml, 'satd Dan. "I didn't hev tn' urn, I' do it '11 I ain't ever shirked a trick that was anyways "1 was k ad t litid a re.inn,ah1e way 0 hriiiK'ii' i. lionio,1 aaid Ah, looking t Am. '. K "llereV my trer," said Din, turn 1 )R the candlc-deck-d hu&ii around h r oosi-ivatu'ii. ' I'tirm's the marks wu-rre 1 hm ketl it, St'.'V. must a li:ie I it out O th' snow t' the (nolo he mountain-. Ity Kum!" he exclaimed in disgust, au. deuly sensing the Miuatiati,"Stve mil t a sent oneo Hob Gliddrry s kiua do tht t ler i' k ve 'em a little tun; tnet a mighty easy piav lur Krowed ut loUs," A sound o tipp nie came Irom the next room. "Toot,' .'.levnu was exe tMoriifj t'l-j "Sal. ir'-t Hornpipe" to the mtioc ul li.s lather':! litJ.iie, and l).m WK-i thr rt-st ol the people, crowded into the 'dime rum' loseo the uudi Ki) piod ' perlormiince. A!e t:r isied to where Anlce was sttndinK ill the corner ol tin hi(; tire-place. tire-place. "I was tlunkin' up there 011 the mountm," he a.ud. in low lone, "il whet you said ol him might br iikj ye luet lite-bu.in was irue." "I never thou't y mM think low 'nough ot me i' suppose I'd send either o v hi o 1 sich a trdl 11' errant," said I'm girl pasoouately, "1 wa'nt ever diet tiill ii .' "1 iK'V.-r k ve y credit lur hem ao," said A he. 'AVhat i thau't most ot was wh-t ve said 'hout bein' hound t' care ler him thet broiirht ye th' tree, ot coure il ye didn't mean it or tt 'a son b.lyel.e, why" "i did r.tran It, an' it aint anybody else," i;d Ai.icr. stnilim; into Ins eyes. All Hiu people were clapping at "Toot'a" clevr teats in the next room and that which took place 111 me slia dow of Iho great lircplace in that in atantN sudden silence, none were supposed sup-posed lo know. JOSKI'IIINK Sl'KNCliR. |