Show j VY ay nc nes 1 l tiers ers THE T HE doorbell amandal amanda 1 it chobby T may be the man with the JL L hobbyhorse hobby ti horse cried natalie parker as she gathered up a confused heap of christmas ribbons and gay colored wrappings strewn about the sitting room there was a sound of quick stamping and crunching of boots on the scraper the old servant opened the front door and a man set an enormous package in the hall said something about the blustering snowstorm and was gone As the woman carried the package in to natalie a chirpy sound of funny little tinkling music issued from the bulky bundle her black eyes snapped with delight as she cut the heavy cords out tumbled a hobbyhorse a handsome fellow with a leather bridle a white woolly lamb iamb with button eyes and a bell on his neck a long eared rabbit with a perky tail and a queer little whimsical top that seemed to laugh with merri merry music every time it was moved there was a wispy angora cap just big enough for a baby and a tiny white muff oh so little of real fur with a tippet to match amanda gasped all em chr chrismas is gibs no one cepin you mis natly would ever think of sech I 1 jes hopes em harlow chillen preci predates ates the the I 1 but her voice wavered the sleeve of her alpaca frock brushed across tear dimmed eyes as she picked up the crumpled brown wrappings and fled from the room early next ri morning orning natalie settled back in a train for a five hour houi ride her heart brimming with happiness many changes had come over the young girls life edith her older I 1 1 P 1 1 eli Z I 1 0 Z ZE t I 1 v I 1 4 1 1 4 why natalie parker exclaimed ahe the dumfounded Dum founded youth sister married arnold harlow and lived in hillsboro her house adjoined the lovely old rambling stone homestead where benjamin parker a widower lived with his daughter natalie and the faithful amanda when mr parker passed away natalie closed the house and went to teach kindergarten in boston amanda went with her the train dashed along through though a whirling snowstorm deep in in the tender mood of reminiscent reverie natalie fell asleep III hillsboro ill hillsboro she awakened with a bound clutching her grip a box of barley candy and almost dragging the cumbersome and unwieldy pack natalie still half asleep stepped out at the very end of a long frost frosty Y platform A tall young man in a big fur coat was waving goodby good by to s someone om e on the train as it pulled ou out t in his excitement he took a long free stride backwards on the platform and crashed into natalie the two went down in the drifted snow in a heap the cord broke on the big bundle helter the multitude of christmas gifts scattered in every direction they looked at each other in blank astonishment then amazed recognition why natalie Par kerl gasped the dumbfounded youth bruce draper I 1 exclaimed the bewildered girl actually spellbound from somewhere in th the e snow came the sound of queer li little atle rippling music they looked at each other again with wide open eyes then burst into rollicking laughter they gathered up the wayward toys and bruce loaded them into his car with the girl beside him a triumphant smile played over his face and they talked excitedly as the motor raced over the hills mother and aunt em just left for grandfathers farm and im going up torr tomorrow orrow but now tell me about yourself natalie bruce surprises are so much fun edith know im coming natalie got a real surprise however in a few moments for no one ona was home at her sisters house after repeated ringing and pounding she looked at bruce in dismay her eyes wandered toward the parker parke r home oh brucel bruce 1 I 1 have the keys of the stone house 1 lets go over and build a fire becan we can at least keep warm until they come with logs from Har hallows harlows Hario lows ws woodpile bruce soon had a roaring fire romping on the hearth they stood be I 1 I 1 F G Q 1 I ftfe bruce soon had a roaring fire romping on the hearth fore the flames the girls blond hair like an aureole of gold framing her face the man tall tail and bronzed alert and capable lets look through the house suggested natalie leading the way at the turn on the stairs there was a wonderful beehive window on the landing and a friendly window seat they lifted the lid many things were stored in the sea seat t this box candles C christmas candles called out bruce lets light up the windows back down stairs they d dashed a sh e d an and d soon the rambling stone house was a glitter of lights bruce went over to Har hallows harlows Hario lows ws to get some more logs and returned with the wood and a package natalie somebody delivered these holly wreaths at editha Edit hs I 1 found them at the back door well put them in the windows ho hol hoi this mistletoe too heres a footstool bruce tack it I 1 0 on n the hall arch with a flutter of ecstacy natalie looked up sr smiling riling but the firm face of bruce draper wore an expression of grave appeal with a combination of strength and tenderness he took her in his arms dear natalie this mistletoe is a symbol of the plighting alighting plight ing of loves troth his voice trembled there was a moment of silence a moment of mutual confidence and understanding which had been a almost instantaneous her blond head rested in the hollow of his shoulder through the half closed eyes warm tears gathered his words clung to her senses like a benediction i the heavy front door swung open suddenly there stood edith arnold little phillip and peter and anda I 1 tiny marjorie looking in wonder as natalie and bruce awkwardly stam stain and blushed in confusion I 1 well well chuckled arnold j we saw the lights we we thought er and crossing the hall he grippe gripped d bruce firmly with a friendly hand while edith kissed her happy hearted sister look here bruce said arnold lets make this the reopening of the old homestead and send for I 1 amandd amanda 0 western newspaper union 1 r 1 ON I 1 k V 0 1 W A |