i

\

a LUCKY, l1. i

(Continued ‘ran o) ,1.‘ spud the leather coat wit the

hi: evobWWl- . "Anything I canedo?" he called out ln a deep. and, Elsie thought, u remarkably cheerful voice.

The driver explained what‘ had mppened to the bus. and the man in the Ipbwt: ear said he would elephone from ‘the next village;

"Thia young lady i: anxious to get on to Brentham, sir.” said the gondlfetbl‘.

"I'm going, close to the town. and you're welcome to l lift if you can stick the cold." he said briskly.

Elsie with her big parcel step- ped quickly to the side of the long. low car murmurlng her thanks.

"Better have your parcel in the back," said the man at the wheel. half turning and unilsatening l panel which slid open revealing a roomy compartment behind the seat, "and, I say. you'll be per- lshed in those clothes! I've got l roat here somewhere. Conductor, let's have a couple of your "lga."

something in his manner sul- gested authority, yet he looked quite young now she got a. better look at him. he helped her into g big warm. ‘woolly coat with a silk lining which covered her down to her ankles whilst the collar framed her face, he tucked the rugs the conductor brought tightly round her, and then took off l grant glove and lit a cigarette.

"Excuse me, air." said the con- ductor, "but as I'm responsible for the rugs, might I have your name and address?"

“Oh certainly," said the big man. pulling on the glove, "I'il see that they're returned to your Brentham depot, but my name is Roderick Dalby, Pall M!!! Club. London. meugh I'm staying over Christmas will! my cousin at Bishop's Court. Brclliham.” '

The hark of the engine and the hoist‘ of the chains getting a grip m. the snow drowned Elsie‘: sizlriled li-itle "oil!"

She looked into a wall of white. filo car slithered a little, some ash blew over her. Roderick Dalby was loaning a little way out beyond the $llfl\V'CDV€l'C(l screen, and she thought he must have, a face like leather to stand it. for even in the shelter from the screen, she thought the cold would freeze her nose.

“Nippy, isn't it?" saifi the man beside her. "But we're near u vil- lage I kno\v unless it's buried un- dcr the snow by now! There's an inn there where I'll be able to get i-nu some tea. and I guess you can .l.~ \‘.lili i'.—I cnni".

Ellen felt that she ought to pro- test against this entire stranger providing her with tea, but. she did not attempt to do so. It was now past five. over three hour: since she had had e light lunch, and the thought of a cup of hot tea and even just a biscuit to eat filled hr-r wi-tll u great longing.

They passed some men trying to dig out a ditched lorry. then light: appeared on either side, and the car, slitherlng slightly, was pzlled off the road. and stopped outside an inn, It had not yet opened for the evening, but lights shone through a red curtain at one end, and coveri-ng the radiator of the var with one of the rugs. Roderick Dllby conducted his unknown pa:- wnger towards theslde entrance, hobbling a little, cramped. but mlite cheerful. The door we: open- ed. a few words, and they were in a big, warm kitchen. Elsie feeling lost in the big coat, nearly ‘rip- ping over it. and the sleeves hang- lns well below her hands.

A middle-aged, buxom ‘woman hastened to make fresh tea, Elsie was helped out of the big coat. and thankfully drew near the fire.

The big man. having got the landlord to 'pbons about the stranded bus. tool: off his fur- lined helmet. disclosing a head of filmbled, rather curly brown hair. then he divested himself of the heavy leather coat and a white Silk scarf, and she saw he was wearing a well-cut tweed suit which showed off hi: broad moul- dtfs. and tapering. athletic figure.

Re smoothed back his hslr with his hands and looked at Elsie.

“You must have had s pretty shastlv time of it in that bus," he said, and Elsie was sure he was hvkln: a-t. the thin black frock and light shoes. "Are you staying in Brentham?" -

"N0." said Elsie frankly. "I'm brlnolng a parcel from Grantley’: to Bishop's Court, and '1 must get back to Inndon toniaht."

"B? love! you're the girl with "gs dog for young hm!" he gup- l .

"when I got to aunt’: place a bit late for lunch. we ‘ohoned your Pubic that I should be coming down to Brentham this afternoon. Ind there was no need to bother i0 send specially. but they said a

Story And’ Music ., ltlch in Aspect

Christmas is a rich and many- glded holiday. It mm: that llllt about everything that‘: sweet and gay and lolly and gell- "Oul and tuditional goo: into the making or it. In addition. it

is one at our m» red-letter deya '

t?“ has’: religious quality about

w

upturned fur collar, the al an‘: ‘ ‘helmet on hi: nuance mama on

.at any. rote um elm the Ina--

, _ had left with it. I'm rightfully sorry. it’: all through aunt getting the wrong end of the stick!"

llIlI lull at him blankly a:

(By Arthur Nottleton)

The many tradition: and custln: of, Ylugttide ‘toad to irllltlhld the a so a brie: w aha aat in the chair the landlord on. cnaggm“ hymm 2w‘: had ollwl for her. the buxom must not be confused with the ‘wmlllllnfld h" I WP 0f 1h Ind carol or wlasailing-song. since the lllrllalios of home-made cake. latter often lack: the sacred at-

lo this w» the nephew may molphera of the hymn. Ilalndon was so furious with. A: Neva-gush", m 1M m" "W," they drank their tea he casually of the Nativity can be found my:- explained that he had telephoned tery, tragedy, and romance. his aunt from Bouiogne last night 1t we; u Bcgtungn’ yum" us“- to aw that ho had met some Kflmefi’. who gave us one or‘ our friend: in Parlsyand the meeting most popular Christmas hymns. hid will“ him to delay hi: de- angel: from the Realm: of Glory, DIV!!!" 1"!" ‘h! 7'1""! "P1181. and his life-story has many en- and he had missed the boat he tel-taining facets. Born at Irvine. bald intended to take at. Bouiogne. i Ayrshire. this hymn-writer was the

‘I acme over by a later boat son of a Moravian clergyman who Wm! m)’ car, and drove up from moved to County Antrizn in i770 Folestone this morning. only to when the boy was five, Later. young "M my aunt had got the inlorea- James was entered as a pupil at lion I'd forgotten the wretched Fulneck school, near Leeds - s doll she wanted me to buy. and Moravian educational establishment would‘ not get down to Bishop's which in the course of it: hlstgry Court for Christmas. The dear old schooled several boys destined to thibfs a bit deaf. and perhaps the become famous, including Richard line wasn't very clear, but it Castlar, champion of child factory doesn't nutter a lot. she's giving workers.

Pam thodox you've got, and I'm Montgomery remained there ten giving her the French doll. Cosy in years, and showed considerable h!!! isn't it?" aptitude for verslficatlon. but it.

There was a breezy friendliness was as a shop assistant that he about him and Elsie liked Roderick; took up employment at Mirficid. in Daiby. The tes and the big chunki 1787. Wath-on-Dearne next saw of home-made cake had done her him. again behind a shop counter. Rood, tho-t horrible sense of Ione- but so tedious was the work that lines: and lostness had gone. somo- he one day packed a few belong-

Storie’: .1... chasm... ~11...”

tug: and set out ‘forLondon to llek hi: fortune. 1K1: only‘ claim to reoeanitioaflva: a bundled poem: _srhiel\ be hawlud unsuccessfully

from publisher to publisher.

It‘ must have been a ehagrlned

and disillusioned young man who trempld back to Yorkshire- tinla to become assistant to the ed!-

tor of the Sheffield Hniiater. a lively, and in some ways revolu- tionary newapaper. The lourna! was

so. unorthodox in it: views. ln- deed, -t_hat Montgomery's employer wasahortlsrforoed to flee, to avoid arrest! .111 fortune for one man meant good luck for the other however, facet the age of 18 Mont- gomery found himself saddled with the editorship.

His first step was to change the title of the newspaper to the Shef- field Iris. Under that name the lournal was in his charge for the next 81 years. and its page: provid- ed a medium for the publication of many of his own poetical ef fortsvThe Iris thus had the dis- tinction of first bringing Montgom- ery’: Christmas hymn to public no- tice: the verses were printed in that paper as a Yuletide contribu- tion in 181d, The nation honoured this Scotsman who made Yorkshire his home: in 1893 he was granted an annuity of 200 pounds. Sheffield

admirers of his hymns erected a statue to his memory after his , death in i854. *

(Continued on Page 12)

how she was not worrying now. she! ‘_

had a confident feeling that the, had not gone more than a. few big young man sitting opposite her-j yards before her feet were wet and by the fire in the country inn s. scanty, sloppy skirt draggled would get her to Bishop's court, round her thin stockings. She fell and aeo that she got back to Lon- over the big coat. and Roderick don, though he seemed in s1 ilurry Dalby picked her up, and took her to resume the jmlmey. arm. -

“I shouldn't have put you down "Poor kid!" she heard him mur- ll l town girl." he said as they mur to himself, and a fierce de- started on a second cup of tea and termination to struggle on. posses- more cake, and the scrutiny of the, sed her. but it was dark all round keen blue eyes was a little cmhnr_ save for the maddening whiteness Passing. "You've lived in the coun- she had once thought so lovely, trv haven't you?" the flakes came stinvlngly. blind-

‘Elsle lost her shyness, she tom ingly into her eyes, she was pant- mm how her fh-ther had been nlinz for breath, half tumbled for- rurmq- h. Dgvgnghlfe, but had’ ward. and was then suddenly pick- fallen on bad times. and just over ed up like a child, and swung ovoi- a year ago when she w“ 19, "Ho's broad shoulder.‘ an aoprentice to a draper in Exe-E 8hr protested fcebly. but . he ter. he had died, leaving her and \\'“"ld Mt llitlfl- ' her elder sister a heavily mortgag- "You look all in. and I'll soon ed farm and many debts to My, have you at the house. I'm tak- ‘Then her sister had married the. in" a short out." - farmer to whom she had been en-l He trudged on. and she was gazed for some time, they had not amazes at his strength. Elite hum! w-hltec her, and she had obtained in a most "ndwvuflcd "Minn" a lob in a London gtorn wan». -. over his shoulder. wind and snow

a bigger store, and she hud been nothing but the thick carpet of one of the many no longer nead- snow and the whlrllno flakes danc- ed. ‘in: behind them. Then suddenly "Tough!" said Roderic]; Dgflby there was shelter. and she was sympathetically, placed on her feet in a porch as

“But I was lucky!" “pd E1519 the door was opened by a dignified cheerfully, “I gilt the tempgrury lookinz butler and Roderick Dflby job at Grnntleynl" . was giving him instructions about the car when a pretty woman of about thirty. dressed in s, beautiful afternoon gown, came out into the big oak-panelled hall.

"Why. Roddy!" she cried. "What" happened?"

"Crashed in the snow." said the big young man carelessly. ‘This is my friend, Miss Norton, Moira. she wanted to get back to town io-

And she told him of her lmpes if she safely delivered Miss Pamela Iaindon’: present from her grand- mother. It we: nice to have some- one understanding to talk to. and though thirrich young man was just a momentary rather bright spot in aiife which was anything but bright, she, knew she would never forget the journey to Bishop's fourt and the tea in this wayside nn. -

Roderick looked at his watch. _"I suppose we'd better be cutting on." he aald l little reluctantly. settled the bill, enveloped Elsie's slim form in the huge woolly coat sgsin,_and donned hi: leather coat and helmet. I Ilsie was sorry to luvs the warmth for the snow and icy Wind outside. The cal‘ was almost mowed under and the landlord came out and gave a hand getting it clear. It skidded and iurched a: they moved off.

~"Only.five miles to go!" said the men at the wheel cheerfully. but Elsie thought he looked a little anxious. and progress became more lilo: a crab-like crawl. There was no algn of any other traffic. they struck a drift and feathery snow descended upon them in what seemed‘ tolvmasses. Elsie shlwered and nestled closer into the warm coat and the rug: over her knees. l "North Pole next stop!" aai-d Roderick Daiby with a laugh.‘ turning a red and white flace to lQn-eyee blinking in the swirl- ing. flake: around them. Once sho thoulht they were over. but the big fur-gloved hand on the wheel steadied the lurching. skidding car, and they went on across an exposed stretch of road with the wind howling dlamally round them. making the hood rattle noisily. brinllng lwll-linbanow in upon than. snow covered the lamp: whlclrpavo little light. and then suddenly the car gave a wild lurch, shot aaos: the road, Eisiefelt a big protecting arm go round her shoulders. heard the shaming of twigs. the sudden " ca a: the zsrcrz. ".'..'§§"':'...°'§'..'..'i‘ .122. .-.-~~ m »-- M“ W . umlbmk "d p-flly “mm” a combine Mortimer says he Joeant he“! "Ah! he only come: to good little

~ The‘ big arm was removed. , "And only half a mile to so!" fiflai, ,}’,f,',"f',,,f,"§,‘,,,,“;',','_.'f"

,‘,;fug°"o"f'°fhe”gf, ffui‘; f,‘ Someone hushed-and the tau wa: loin! to be touch and so. the "Zmizh: znnflfigfé, “My. m. "“-'"°" m“ "'9 ‘h.’ ""1 "" ‘m’ said : little angrily.’ ' mtg“; fir" '::':'m'}£"'.=u"k; "I've seed Santa Claus.” said the am“ ‘un- to u. m‘ M“ up little glr! triumphantly ea ‘her K ,,, _ l! - ,IWel'Iiell took hei‘ hand, woe "gwhwuuni! N’ but m-Ch-lstmaasesl" - . . modulate-associate in dismay- "YOQIJQVIIT, llitll lady" lid the bl] YNIIIJDIII ll he got Out into - the anew. sinking‘ down to his‘ knee: tn it. "We'll have te put you us. ‘Ibe thine i: we've got tel face a dashed unpleasant walla] Oh don't wary about the -fll'flll welfleave the bu: a: she is. and acbdsoueillen to die her out. or

She's soaked through, and I told her you'd be able to-flt her out with some clothes and put her in for the night."

Elsie stared aghast at hi: au- dacity, but young Ii/[Xla LaiIndon. after a momentary start of sur- prise, gave her a friendly welcome listened to the explanation of what lbs-d happened. and bore h": of" upstairs. '

"The best thing you can do i: to have a hot bath. I'll have a room prepared for you, and my maid will bring you some thing: which I hope you'll be able to make do in an emergency." 1

Elsie felt as though she were liv- ing in a dream, but the hot bath restored circulation, and the silky feel of borrowed garments. the delightful evening frocksvere real enough, and feeling horribly ahy Elsie descended the broad oak stair- case to meet the audacious young l man who was responsible for her wesence in the bl'g house.

In evening dress Roderick Dolby looked bigger than ever, and a.- gainst the white of collar and shirt front_ his weather beaten face was dark with tan. His eyes lit up as . she shyly entered the room. and he oeme quickly toward: her. intro- duced her to her hoit, Gerald Inin- don. and the rest of the guests. They all seemed nice andmade her feel at home. all except a Miss Morti- mer, a cold, proud girl, who pret- i ty clearly resented the presence of the girl from Grantieyfi.

Little Pamela Lalndon, q pretty child of six. was brought in to dinner. and sheruahed to Roderick, looking up eagerly in hh face,

"Uncle Roddy. Santa Clan: will come tomorrow. won't he?"

l

I

n..." Minna on m radiator. baifieoiyglltitlltuatrd told her to,

a

. bee! A _ ,.:

month ago had been absorbed by be“! 0Y1 he!‘ back. shr- could 5-! 96°)‘ he?‘ "Mi

bout you. and my husband and I_ hone you will stay over Christmas", Elsie felt she must protest. lhnuzh, her heart leapt wildly

relatives r her- '

haunted. let's hear the story, Ger- old."

comes She ought to have Roddy the toy to though she had never thoulllt 0i that at the time. aha was basin- ning to think. too muchof Roddy. she-tried to put him out of her

switched off the light. sent strange shadow: flitting about

Miss Mortimer turned lazily to

Roddy when the child had been taken out.

"Isn't it rather stupid to keep

no ‘that fable in these enlightened days?" '

"1 ooh-t think so. Dash n w‘.

89$ grown up and lose illusions quickly enough! Let a kiddie rn- lov them as long as possible!"

There was a grave, almost sharp

note in his voice,_tlien abruptly he changed the conversation. l

Elsie enioyed the wonderful rlin-

lodgings

But after dinner Moina. LBlIldCfl

"Roddy has been telling m-z a-

at

lYlBfl

‘Llitel’ in the evening they danc-

"Everyone says thisold Pl"? i5

Elsie did not sit uv-to hear it.

several oeoole‘ WEN 0f! t0 1195- ""1 Elsie seized the opportunity. for now the" excitement of the dancinz was over; she felt very tired and sleepy after a long day. I

"'Good night, m. nalbv. and

thank you so much for all vou've done!" she said in the hall.

He gripped her hand tightly. "I'm Roddy to my friends. and

we're friends. aren't W6. Ellie?" .

"Oh yes!" she said with a qillfik i_ttie smile. and hurried u? u."

stair:- her heart beating qlllfikel‘

There was a fire in her room.

the -bed turned baok and smelling of hvgndgl’, a pair of mauve silk pyjamas lay upon the pillow, and aa ‘she undressed ‘she noticed I basket of toys in a corner, and ll

lttle Pamela's rcom- It Wls Mil

flashed upon her that she was m. gugh 5' very big house to hOH many people, and she felt that she must be a nuisance. and ouaht not ~to stop if it was at all possible to" Rat back to 1.01111011-

l0,

Perhaps she ought never to have 1lVGll bring along.

when she I the fire

houghts. and then

he room, and that made her think

~t ma: Mortimer‘: remark and "hosts. '

‘rhatbenished sleep for a ions lme. but at last she dropped off-

to wake, she knew not how long after, with the horrible that someone was trvins to set lntoher room. '

feeling '

A fe-lnt grey light came from the

window and there was a scuffing.

cratohlnl sound behind the oak

panelgby the now dead firs, and n: she looked» her eyea- distended with" horror, rcreepy feeling ran dowu her aoine. for the panel was Illfllfll’ bad. something was com- ine into her room!

The scream of tsrrerfroas on

her llp:,‘lt'w:: iuat a herritléd. cholringlllttle murmurwand then the waaataslnr bianlrly at : hi: rel-clad Santa Olauawith v whttrbaard; and from the aaciron

ibis turmoil-um ul: black head f unencum- HIIMVIIQ!!! mo! glllltlfia. ‘than her ma mot the ' ear ~XI Clan: wheeled round belted for-tbepanol.

long

blue ayes of-lenta Claus, n: ll

{Tn- awtuily sorry!" pant/ad s voles." “I an please

MIX-yell: make mrloolr an awful

,- ‘They didn't tell ~nte that d‘ mowed the kid. I wouldn't

mfhishtened yell for anything!

_ : t: lay regular Obs-tunes stunt,

this

and Pam's always sitting up wait-- ner and began to lose _l-_ler shynessz; ing for me." she did" not belong to this world) ln_ which she so startingly found herself. but she might as well en-l icy it whilst she could. Tomorrow sack ln one hand and his white il-le road would probably have been beard in the Other-

cleared. and she would be on her, way back to her dreary with the adventures of Christmas Eve but a memory. a‘ wonderful night?" she gasped. dream from which it was horrible Roddy grinned. to wake.

vents are about andwlli" be aloni with lITly tea toon. I must g0 a- m9,‘ long and find out where the kid thought of staying there. but her is, Wish you a very happy Chm!- protests were over-ruled.