\ (H,-';I', 1';11' '111"", ~l",,,l at (It~\\ lnd('\\ nf his \;lllill~ rn,l111 III Bcnniuz-

l'nl~1 . 11'1 g"z< d cr itir allyHC'IPs,loll,,,,IIC'\I"s

")l1l';ISI fill1 1tC' \I "s iorrccl t(1 "d nit that'1'1 "~\I 11,1. llnt c hc c riiur "lha t p a rt f)f Colo-, r1n whirh PCrfTC'fl n<;;.cl[ ttl h is ;n"prttin!1 \\;I~

11'.1\ Ih' "riled h v ,I n o: the,"1 hl izz artl.I he lit t lc '1111<' t" II hirh he ha d b ccn ;,"1' I1cd

II,' ,nly ,111<1,n n ro: t;,hk HC' It;,,!. ;IS the 1'1'0-jlll/'jnt" prolJdi\ ;l ..<urcd him. the best "P;ll-}O",1\1 urorun. ;11lr1 h"th 0' 111 the 1~(,Il11illg-tnJl. J)a\ id1,""\1 th,lt It II " ;,j,o t lic nilly "l'l" lor bedroom.,I" hat h ' ;11 :h" Intel. lIe h",1 ol t cn nllupiedII -luriru; hie. '· ...;1, tn t hc cit.\. F~(lll~ h iru n o v,III hIS" \1,"-11'1' \,,.. .•. ;111 npPll fJrcpl;tl (' 111 \\ h ir hh'" In':..:,l;; hll111( (1 \\ III ,I plc,I"r1Ilt ,nn,HI nl ...p 'PP11'~

.' i'! t ra( 1-, !J1J" 1~11' h.111'- I: all, he rc tl- l it d ~,1\-

;'.' h 11(' ('nljld 1)(. ""Inl!\l t;thjr 111 111" f) \ '1 J nr h

i I' 1l11!( ,"\ \ j Ie h' 1 fll{ P .,f'" ,ltH] ( q

(11'd'i t lur- In'l ,111(1 ;1 (1.lllcr! ''':-'I(),l (l'r1 ('

(,(,pl. not In (H It, nl 111\ <,;f)f 1I't: (If il,,,, dr'':...!: .111d

111 I q\\ 11"':'" ,,1. nf \,lln111 \' o uld 11.\\ c 1)(, \ '..:Ltrlt'" ''':1'''' h1l1l (·(lI'1p •..111 (lll ....h'i'J 1(' a,krd 1"",,('11' II I" Iltc d(,1 il I,,' It,IfI 11'1'11d

his );\t,k nl1 11, 1 " 1)](" 111-:: .... to htll \ hi]lI~I'1f ill ahqjf·j ':lllrl h, "n,lll'lf'tll1fl ,IIHI j,oll1{c.;1cl, ..-Illd 1,('jlll1tl",\i;\t('l.\ If I " I 11( .tll"\' (I 'Tlli" \\ ;1.... ( ht 1 j-

11.ls C\'C. Il( 'I.'t! 11 l nl1ll' ...Cll{lll1('ll:.,l ti'.'1 l1f)I'lj

_ 111f111nric .... nl I" .... hn: l'n,Hj il.lld ;1,11 1il;-1{ "f t f)f

thill"-~. Thf' I 11 h 11,1<1 ,,('('11'('(1 1 ('lllPte ;111<1 1flJwhIll't ;It ;111 ill' \,1,11 ( In "1)l"1(l ;t 111('11) (1111 iI11.'....,

111 "lld hc 11 II (\IH'IHIH('d ;.t "'11('(1('11 .ill/· 1111

pI rf'fjfll{('(] {il'( j/1I;1 IP<I1'\ ('11i ...j"1.1 ...• 'Ill('1"\'111,,-(' lh.1{ 'r,ljl'"(r! 111 I d'""", 11 r1 <,,:'(;)l<d;l {i I' ('"11 ( 11 (' \\ Ill! 1,1 l' t (\ t hC' 1 II \. "''' t 'I" (' , / \'1,111 C hit11~(11 ((\l1 11'll.'hl'" ,II !~(1}1 il'_ (\11'. \\11("1'('

II ,1'\;:J~s ..:1/ p'Hd \\11'1) lH \\(1111(' In\\ 1, ":'1\

1111 '1' fnr ;'1 [I \\ d.: "'. 1,)t\', Ill' i\\n oid I';lh \\po11\ cd there <..:I'C "n1l1C ••lln\\ ..... 111(1 t!CIl(') ;dl.' lrthllllself ;::0 ,I 1,,1

II" b;.ld fn11n\\cd 111(' IIl1l'1Jl-..C illllllfd' ll,i). 1j('

h'd ,rllrd fpr IllS 1,1111h ('f)ok, 111'11,,('(ed him tf)~I\C the hn)" .' c.npr! (hll"lP1?'" "prf' •..l..cl tll". llC t

d"', hO\llerI t" ,I1ICllh( I' hn,l to III i,,~ h' ; ut011l0-h,le '" nund, ,11'1 1,('11'''1 I d :0 1he l hin', lIg?ill (0

1";lC!..- his hi" jnl ..-1 thi'( I dll' ",' ah ....('l1CC.111f' Clt~' \\ ; .....•.... <.;10'·1l1 q\ (pt ,,1'-' the p1.tilh had

1\( 11. nut 11 llrl, {c\ ... (\l 11:,:hl('r1 \\ l1Hl("\\ S ,\ Inked

,11 h111 111rc'11' 11 til< \\ 11il Jill(:: ....l1n\\ ;\t1rl his hC;lrtr .(' 'uld ":;Ill! 1 hH \' ;1.... ,,' ,:.:nt)(! i(k.l -this hr(,;:1:k-

Ill'': (.1\\;:\: llnnl t:,(' f:1Il111;::tr rut ;11H1 h; \ 1I1C' a 1'('(11

IInhr!"," II h" 1II" droll' 'n 11'<' h"1\' \lher!' 111. 1\,1 p,ds

li\ t'd to'::.rlll( 111(1 111('1 ;1 ... t.lt:"1 Illlr: rli .1.pl'()ll'l-

h.I(' ;..:n!1C' .- \" Y 1'''1' .-1 \\ r('k I !H II

Ilt'! 1-11("\ \\ }'(,1 r ItIH~ ll1L'd( Jl pI unI"rn:. Th I~\ l1r1I;..lr!y flldIktshr.r!Ic\

I~('11 nlll'.:211·"'" 1 f t I' 11"-~ \\ :1'" 1, f :-111 \ • l~( 'l11111r.:: tIll'

1'1'l' rolf, f]: I I If 11 ('1 \, ltld I'll III f \,1 \'1 l 11 ; "f "1:{

,I,,~r. ,hf','I, 1].'11" "lllI, ?11r\ ,h"lIrd a fhltCl-111;:" plp:1 ....ll 1 (" (1" 111'-' .l' 1]' fll,

t< (Jlad 1\ f' '.,:('1 \ ('t11 snnt Clnpl~ • rf'llniJl~:.:,tnn

c;)ld "J'?'I, 1",,\ I( ~ll 1",( \le~k, hut 1, f( ,Ie"-,1;·, .,

",\11\ klll, '11 Ihe hl)(el?" pl,r ,,,l,rd :hr" 'If'I'.l ; f II,l"_!lj"'H'd ;lllrl" ·ll ....f'nl"p .. IllS

11 'q<, 111 111,.. 1"''::1''11'1'. I~CllIl111'::tOll ••..jar(d""opr II I,,? 1', 'l.r! Ihe, 'r! nl"kr ;\ " .. ,,," I.lke I" II I ,'1", 'Ihn,!clll It \loldrl I'e 'I'rl (11h, i tlll,l"'''' 'I' h." (' "',':11C .lrnlll1d, tll,lt s ;t\1"!~f'Jl1l11l·.:.tl'll Innld d ,tpnln~('ti(',"\\ r h'd 1\\1111 ....1 \ (,II 1'111 th(,11 fplk ....\\ ('lit tt'

1,\ r III \\ Il i11l '.' 1\1 l'\:pllillrrl ".:\nl Ill'll'\ Inl1..5h<"'1" llP' ()l1h .j'f1It:1 c!n'f!l ..•\ln~1 flf '(til

"'nil( of( ('11 \ 1"'1' !;Ilt \\ (' '( ,nldf' the ph.l ('( 1111 1111•.1S.\ .111 11;.:111, (111 lIght. \ill I th.-Il ,,111

('\I'f'l1

Ij(' lIl.lrlr ,til (In,lnl';I"": '_/,"'{l'!" IlJ\\,lld tIle

;l1~1.I(t1\(, I""!l\ I: ....,\.111 .... '\(11..' r!·(OI.tHd \\ltil

111 ••..1111;1 \' 1(' llil h(,11 111':" 1'1 I''::hi If d 1,(,\\" (I'lr!

;1' I,'·\stln;.\, 11((' r!"("r"llC'c! \\llh \.ll'(fllf'~Cd bl1lb ...•

;'lld froc;.lrrlllll"-cl n'lrtICl"r(] 111 a (01Ilei,

, 1~I11e," \ ('1' •...(' "IPI)! f'\ "d, ... \11.' lnlks J klll'\\'

III 111(' !lnu ...\ '; ..

.. FI'lId HI'I

nr,' the r'H'rj),'\ let's h .lj t ....llli"

le,", .\ <.:1i .-11l~(,1" III

111"'11 lnnrh It •..I (' th(.lll

I 1 ( r ,I 1 ( (1 J ~ \ t 11(

\ Ii ;:IJ: thc

t..:t I ,11I,l, d. he 11 11('l'l( (1 i111-

the 11:' 'I: I, \ II hole 101he \\ nlll(1 1,"',' \'( ell ()1l hiS

'I ,I' in f,"' 1: III d 'rc i(

f-fl: I,ll \11.1 I) :111'; (nll,(!,,;.I,lJ'1 111'\\ ;'s

,•....h(' 'll \I' \' ....•!'I' 'Ill lirr 111 h·\ l':lllt'!.' "'{;.tI-

J l'" Ijljn jll( l1;.lnH'" ,11'<1 jllt'll ''''q~'' lc'-.:,rctllt1~11"- l'npl11"'i' f 11(''''' ('Ill, 11\ e n'( If)( \., \ full lll'tir

I" I'e kdl('rj I)('j •...•l \ .•.1 \'\'('1' ;1\1<1 nCl \,.1\ to kill It

III h;'ldn't C f)1'l( If\ tIl( l 1\ In I.;I~ h( (pre thc filc;111.-1 <;;:111("'1\,(' 11<' l"t1'd dll 111(· ....(' th,I1~'" ;'111: \,·!lrIT.

11, iumpc', ~n 11'~ I,(t, pHI-cd Ill" illS tl\C1"lo:.-tt

;,1 (t h:1l111' 1, (1 d "lp(d 111 tilr ll<',~l"( ....j (h.:1lr. put

111 111 nil, ,1\1(, ,.'j Iq,:I"ilh fjn"l1 the t\\() (ll~ht" pf

sl\Il' In Ih" 1""",1 II, '1J111d ha\c t,kr1l all(1r\ ,-ltnl, 1 III ti'{~ HI,.\ dId nnl ,,('( tlt til hilll.

'( '0111'~ ,'''I : 'I ; '1",11' IH tnld Ih" 1~IHlllJ,dI) (1 .' ('Ii ..:,'\ f "1 \1' \' ;1•.•.• tl1nllt a dOi'(11 fnH.;s lett

111 1 il,.. hotel ~"fp. \\" 11.1\( 1\ \1~ 111('11. l~l1t illt'lc'~ ;11

,,!r' lrh. \11. "'1\"111 ( ,ll1(l.l gu·l \\1111 her t11Citj('1 ...• ;:111fl I1fl \11<1 t!lc!"cs a p;l1r flC'lll '\·C\\,

"'\1l." hrn" f t .'11"1 "'j ....1cL ThC': 're ~()tlllg ;{IlU

, '" (n I"I)!- J1 I 1.1I'd ho,jcel, I hOl1j:;h, I'd 'ay.\' "'1~ IS I~ \ ,''It ThC' I nl1l1~ fell,,', lookmg for" I.ll1ch, \\ '''I- l') hll, <>l1e lIlld groll up 1I'1lh11'f {nl1:1tr\ ' J~11111111':.:II~1l gtll111(,(1. II,.. h:l.d ';;;CCll

"t ,,( th,ll <net ~Ioq of them dIdn't sta, 10llg( •• '11'.:,11 to '-1 (,'\ up 11111<..h,jl '\ld rrfUllll'rj the ~r;1l and S\lUI1Q" Oll of (he

1"," I mlo Ihe ,tnrlll, lie h"d e"periell('rd "nolher11'1'lli,Co Thrrr II f'l'~ no kId, In the hotcl. hutI ( <1 hal c ; Chn'tma', an,' Ila~, J le'd bu,' some1'",,1 ,tllff fnr the tl;\I'Oling I11~U and thc old lad\'.,"r\ hrr 11111"'( ;11,,1 the 1110 :\CII" Yorker" llc'dt'Pt q)na t hi , ...t In. <..: ;ltnlo"'phC'l C' intn RCllll111~-

t"l " If It "," i1'~ 1"'1 thlil" he rl er did." '1l;1l~1nll'", \\;"- <'I' ~I;till <.;trcfl and til( hlg'

•......rt •...1,01' ... () 11'c l;t' \\cre llr.r It 11f'lfllt

"1'" rlf l(' 1 (wg. of btl.' 11l~, ] ic hnu-:ln h if ell

l"!hc of Dtr idof JIo:;-0

StoryaJld1ori:c F •.

JI{I r- pi (,llld\. JI,. j,'l1l'.,:ht lilt«(11 p:lp Ird

Lhn.1111,1, ,,101 I, Ill':;', lull of trifle" an-l ("['I'edc.u h one \\ith;1n Ol::l"~C and a canrl. (,1111',

"Tl c llo, Sa n t a Cbll'," F]ellnlllgfnn g"T'eledjnl 1,,11:: "l~nll;::h( out the tn""I, "i) iv id dei;:':l1ed t" u-.c lhr c lcvat o

anr] got hi-, p;Jf k;.\!..":,cs tip tn IllS J pnJ'l.

111(' dnn Il •..t : 'rs ;{:"::11J\ inl <';111'IH'r.'I hi f'\ (.'11 11'.";!l('\\ ....p,lp' rs 11,ld ;"'1\ (II llilll ;t 1 t

pI ~,'''d ....hn\\s .\s he In"'C Irom t'\P 1,11,1, J1'In·,kc,l ; t ills ,\ III 11, l l c r] '~n tn;J, 111l\\ t', !·...:IJi.

('Il'~ h,ll! In ,In sontrt liir-, ( hri ....{ . (....cvr ,

'Ills til ic'1 lirn hr

r" IIII'~ 1,,1>1,\ j:("IIII,"I"1I sln:'I" rI h,,".I •. (l()III' ('Ill ;:.I:':' I Ill. -, tlll;~ ll,t!} . 1,1 .1 I «(1

l'\f 1111.\. ' J kil:d.l h()l1~ht If '1'1 11.1d ;.J,. 111 111lc

l'(t lpll"dtlt C .\Oll tn ~(11]1l'': J;I.'.·llt ~nd III I"tcr,

1 ....:,1,( ...•, 111:-'1(' klllrl ()[ jr)11c,,-nlnr, 1(",). fhc £(lln\\!TI"" ,II IlIlrl (hr 11f'tel 1111"1 rill d,,~ 1111<1l( S pl'"11"I" '''I 'I-<' '~;I1 ,j('lI'l k"nll \lb; t In rln I\llh !TII-(' 1\ I tr ,1 (1 ('Ill ~ ()II \' ('. ( {Ill C ("I f ('111 Ol(! 11111(,1,

1l( I' ,1'1' h ri 'I Ill'...: r..-IIHh Ilil.\ ur <';1\.1..' 111111' ('lIt

\ nll ," • ht ~l\ {' '( III "Ill '.11..fttl ,d)()lIl (,Hili' 1 !"'t'l~

•...lJ( 11,S( jl ....e .' I'll J (' '(I lull {,I l hI i....t'l " "'\1 1 il,'

t' 'f (j t.'l t 1Ill" .. 'Ill( \ 1 C hn!;l ;'-:1 ( 1,' . 1 t,<;;

\n'l C('1l'r!lr11 lill. ktt I {\ (11' 'll,t kllll\\.

"\11 ':hl, h ,,~,e,rlll' ' 'I' lltlj. "I j": lin

(0' ,,111 ;'r l.'( \"1111 In thell),' 11'

I, '1rl' 1 { IJr ;"'c~l (I. ,. I III \ '1 ( III tllf Cr1 1'1.I"l'f'I'l

i' '" 'I1J clf) 1 ;, l' ( ,~111 • 11 '

i)~, Jd fnllu\' ell 11 'll 1(\ tJ1( (trdll" 111, j Ie \\ as

nnt Inte "'1"1. I \r'r! ;:;1 , II'e 1';11" 1\ iJ;IIIr!.ll,\ke,hc de"l<kd, an"" I' .<s II ell as he '''111<1;:.Ill) qt:estlons .111l)llt raIl( hIll;: tlH' IH)\

\lanl"l to asl" ,11111then h nll h<s \I:n'

J I;s !Tr, I ( sl,nk ; bit ,IS licIII1111~tf'1I stnppcdat a tllhle ; ",' "I'I IIltn \I !I,tt \ or'e l11cn-tally "h;tllI" 1" , 1 ;'s "1\1' stllf(,""'lhlS l" ~\tl. \01' ....1 ' !'l..l1'l'l1"..:.tnll \\.l ....

"'. \ illg- tn ll' bel.', I f( '" '~('lt .1 hlg I till( 11

hl1l1 l'f ~1I1' t11( 'f llt111 ill' ;lhntlt' 11111111":'

he rlnll t 11}fJ\', tl f)ll_ 't 'I'll .'11<\ )l'l1r

>I,lel 11;,_ t It! e l<1 1"1', III h 11' .1 Ii lie::nll IH111' -.:tr;,1l1.:C'rs 111'11 1'" ; ...t. 1'(';'('ded I(~...., tCl' ('(11'1~. "1'( 1(li )('1'

;'111: tl'il1(~ \()tl \\;'l1t to J..Il( \\,'

J); \ 1<1 "..:,nt j \1/ iJ'l' 1((;1 tc l'r-i)l (~"

:.'1,\1 the Jllll('l(lultlPll \\rt~ nnt \\r}((")I1'I,

llH :)lnlhcr .IIl( "l"H 1. .-~ Iv: ("() ",IdJ1111f'lhly dtc ...."-C"fi. d,11k: )(11'11" 1';.lJ1 "1-,, \Jall,.,'l tr..:rlllhl..t!}((' Jl\.~lll: ••..\,0\'l(l 'I'T

rcl tlt)l"'hip. lfJnkcd dl<.;lil'llj~ l'(ll'(!. '1" tJ ~ 1 ,\\;'111. Il' ht ... f('(' <llld j'( rfill1( l( 111: ....1,,) ,I il ,,,,1,

H .\ \\ 1\1 1j gnl'd (11' : ('11 ' 11(' 11111! 1l1\i1 d."lh,n't \\ dilL to h11H ill," J 1;, \ vI .....nll11'r1 hi,

J11\.II,lr ·:rin .11lrJ lhe /"In ~ (Xl" Inll "'r'H ira1'it.lr ••. j ll1)(' 1'n\111(i f(ll t-ll' 11'X' "I: "1 1"(,,If thc1 "-.1 J' 1111( 111'11S .''''j \' ,",l·t In ;l~k ;'lC ;"J1"'l:t

('(I\nt,'r!ll I 'lll hln' •..!lfl(lt ('''1 ;~f 111{' .111.'" tIltH

( h"lll( l:,,> .llC I can·t ,lll"'\\f I, holl I'll III 1(' ,1 d d,

,: II '"If iJr 1:,11 t tell I fill "II ;d'''''1

Jlf) nJle {(,i]" 1~<"'ll11;n' 1"11 h, )\ l 111.

; heltc! 1tIll I :llldl on il'1' 11tr III 11hI('11 ( ~() S I.;(),"

1.11\(,', l'

I'het, J11,1lJ It'IY

rl""",liE gill. "1,,, ll'd {~11111111Jfd to 1,1,1: hlr,.\td" ,111'1' ,{ IIp,I, 11'11 I"okcd Uj' 1,,1' the

hr't till'" ;'1"[ I)alld tllct her cool glawc," \1 e ,t>11 1l]l"jP,t: " s:1e 'l,k"d l~zd~·. "1 lICI (1'

lI" I ;'. 111odc>t II esLcl n 111'111I,~{t>re. }('s <jlll:e anC\.IH Ilel'l c, '" l'lll I cr, l1lP<!,,'1, hUI I rI",,'t knOll 11\1' h, .\Ilcl

IH gll1JlCI ",' Del\ lri gqllJlcd .•• ;{h\ (-l) S ask 111()! C

(llJf''''ti''lls tll III (tll\ n1d-tllt1('r (,(-ill ;.:11110;\\('[,'

" BTlI (',w." The girl 1l0,ldr'1 tQ\\"rd brr l)Jothrr." 1'1 e he"nl hl111 ,~l il .Iu,t "hont til c 11\111111co'ch::t II 11;1 Edl ,l!](1\1t ]';\1]( l11llg II nuld II 1'''' I, ~Ptlrj llicildr, ;"r. \""1"<', SO dnn't start an, (hill/-;, \\ Tl!) eu "'Il do\\ 11;- "

.j 1 reI 1,011 II/It 111st I'(l\\. Jl1.' Itl, 1111 ~/ll'l' totl s11<"'.· he ",,11(1 r;:lt!lci •.. II ...•:.

"\\h,,11 "Ilc: '•• , 'I be :'(",,1'1, ( l\.'llllld, I" or ""lcLllln' hkc

tint."

, 'I h(y ,,' 1(, l'lCIt, ;:;,,' rI. 1\ hy hal cn t I\e~(Cll It. \}11l:< '

"1 ('0 hll") ."

"Ll,Jd tn {,tLc : nl1 hn:h, If J OU \\ ..-tnt to hI',"

I>,"id Hid form,dl,.",\11 light, le(, g", lillt ;;I\e u, (\If) tlI111lltCS

tt> I-;ct lead,,'" 1'1\ c J'Il h," e Ill, 1"1' al (hc door."Jil file 11111'lllrs he ",S \1~lt;l1g a( (he hotel

rllll ;lIH f'.

T:,r IiI e 11liutlle, ,tl 1'1<h, 01 to ten, Ihrn to lif-trcll, \\';,s thr ~irllll~killg ,11'0,,101111111: 1'I"h-,'1>', ,hC' h;ld 1I0 'de,\ nf '.:""1'~ 10 Ih" ,IInll. InstgIll 1" him ,1 risr. J[~ I 'tllrlll'rj 10 the (a"iJ "nm;lJ1d lJ1\('''llg;l1cd. '["'Ie r.l~~111t ...• l1d(L <1,..•.IPI'Crl1 cd11e '\ Cllt h;:ll k 1() IllS (,'r and '\ ::tll{ d ii\ c 11111111tCS

11}("'II c,I t I I Ill< Ird til, ll,,t tlll,(ftl !;\lll he

" The gil'1 \\;1' c.;1 rlllk 111'_ 111('.

".1\1,t ]'1-e he;' rh(ek: II \\ l(h,(;tI (ed the' "r.lIe 11'''' dr;I;I\g a\I,I.' \Ihell It ,h,lrp h, J1 recalled

hit11. Y()IIlI,~ T;l: ;qlt and 111s <..:l....tcr \\ ('re SIgnaling

1('0111 the curh,")"nu f101l't llhc 1~ ~Ol1 "ere going off ,\itho\1t

liS:- " the g1rl "'poke \\ Ith gelluinc surpri~c.

"I hung 011 Illnl c tliall twcllty lll111utes, TheilJ tboug'ht you I"cre gi\ ill' Ille thc ra'pberry,"Jh."ld', tonc II;(S g;iy, He \\ as glad now tliat

(he pair \I'a, g'olng, Hc mhcrrd thC'lll 111(') tliehat " ~C'at of IllS hi~ seel.11\ and took the \I hrel,11e \I;,S 110 longrr londy, }le had comp"nioll'hip,Th t II "' all tn the r;:ond The Llct that hc didn'tmill h 1,1 e rlll'~r the hnl '" the J.:'lrl <l1<ln't lll"lterTil ,h"'I'" as e", ell' n:, The r~l, ?lll· Ie ill '1

p, j", th"r I;,', ts hr I'M!1l ( brrq "", 'I,c\,. (lIJlt rio tlJ: t l)'lt inll1C(', l(j~ ;ctu"! f,1 hIS

Bcttv Bryant Blase NC~f)

S lutt i n s P r c c i pit (/t c rl aLh.1cs

Tl0 rsc, Ra Jl (hut ({tt,Be/tv)s Flair for

andIcc

Crisis 1'7 'I' ell'171

h'''I,,1 IITI,I' 1,,\ t,,j Ill;~ him t o " uh'lr"l fur supperand duu Ill~" \\ he: ~ 0,,1 j ou lc arn to d"llc~: " she 'lI,\<lrlll~

\I,'"I~<I (0 know,"h'nm l nrlia n gills mos t lv.'

" fell' South ,\mrl'1(;111 <I;II"C'.l\\ I( (' pI} ra t t lc bus.ucs s."

"J1 n1111, J thouch; t h crc 'I ,IS "(11l1rlhlll'~ r""II,a )(\1:t yo ur da ncinz.'"','IT,I( ,II,,'t t hc word T ll'C l)"es it Ine, n

,flil1(th111"'" \\Il)llg ,,1111 1l1~ Ioot v ork . ,":\Il You d"nl" quit c """,1(111111), e'I" 1'1;1111'

il' t'\lI;.:'n don't \'"nll wh c n lvc Ii.ld s urha ::1',,<1 pa rt nc r, OUI 111(11 h.-1Ck C;l"t ;]}" gtltill~tf1fl J,l, ~ I{} ({;.JIl( e,"

" I """ (n plc,IS~."" ..• II ',lfl \\ ;1 •..• 1.;\\ 111l11111lg a lil11r, j1J()t1~.::h h(' ('te

,111<1dl,""k ler~ c"refull" Thc ",h"lIrt ""s an;Jtll(\l..l1\' 1111r \\ith LillI ;1111...., allll(,,,,pilf'IC l:"d"Irr It III tli"k 1;(,"", ,\ htlle ,!r,nr"I"d Il~~ nil(', (I;' 1.11)!c 11()11~ ;'nd Illlc.;llctr",. nil ('\ (" \. <:'Idc

Yn 111:~ lotll'll ....1 l,i""jl1~ On ;111 ..•.Hie ..., I( il, .\"(lllr of

:h,It 1',,' It1111.I I (' ....'l , ,11 I f1 (' t I ('\ (J I 1'1 1 ~I \ (: Irill ( I 11 \ \

",1l;'hl1~\. 11(' lu", cd 10 11, J ,Illf bIrr ;1"'!-( d it ~1(, d:'lll( \\1'('1 I". {f(I,'llet!'o .\11 j;1"\Q'lt\

"If' llJ(l( \\,,,, d'~II'lCt lipurl'" hl~l" 1n\r1\ hl<1\\.

"()1l' (1\ )0111" "'nulh \n,11'(,111 [1:1111<''';' she,IS" C'd ('"Idl"":\n 111.1,';11, ,1)(,', ~fc"1f ,111." he ch" I i\llly

,">III ed her. :-1 l'S Br~ allt lookql wnrc 1ell10tc

hc gTJPl1rd, ";:lll'

I've hcen t hr r c

Hr I~j'o ~., ovttionw ~ ,... I"l hI" "'"f"r d1 h (" dini~<; r(\~rn.

Ii, " (\ el·.0n i~

<',I'

he

J~ f k III thc I:Cll1111l~t(\1l J"h1J~ ]}cr hI nt1l"r

"nl \(1 "he"d nl tltCl1l (fl I illt:; tIl" rl< I "tl~l hrll\11" l~I,,,nl 'Inp)'<'d >\1r!drnl" IOf'klllg UI' ;it1),,,;<1, Ilr ,oul,!It"lc SIlPIII (hat th~re waslI' 1111Itati<'11 III hC'r r~ e,-(h,,( at !r;j't ,hr IlnllldIl"t h'll e 1" p(r'ted I( he h"d s\ld'lclll, k,"rd Il"r.1~\11hC' t:f11111e,] gao I," into her uptuilled f"ce "'lfle'Cfll led her' C1'"nl()1\io",Iy into the eln" IOf," It"- l'ce1\ a r;:reat Illght," hc ",iel. "Th"nk,,"u]1o ynll ,kate?" shc ;I,krd ahrllptl)'," Sllrc, .H Cou1(1 ,,(' .;;;kate ~()ll'/'\' III rc ;11 01111<1 b( rr

jnl1'( I rn\\ llln1'll11H'::"

"Surcst thing jOlT kIlOI,. \\'ha( lillie: "" \hOLI (, 11 (,III lie gel ,k.ltc, hrle? h"\e

hr;" 0' shne', hilt I didn'( hi ing "",1 ,Llle-,".j I guess if 111111H:tnll ( 111 ii:-.:.. it. Jir. (:-Ill fix

lIl' ,t Iillll"'. ,\11'] (hC1'e'" " lakc tC'n 1\lIks Ollt."Y')l1 ''''11111'. ),1("" Ih1\"! "skrd Rilly, Ilc

had learned frnlll thrir t:dk that the h()y 11'1' Rillyan<1 Ih, ,:';) li,lt,', I'r!l, \I ;''1'1 "U"1l1 tha(5'l1trd her, T< n ~nU .'iH1 I"CI111·1111(". Rill) Mil-

S" (rrd dcc i"'i' ('1\ .":\f' sl.a(lIll.:; nuC1' 1,,1 llIe .'n, h'Il'1. I'll sl")

l'C'lllC and" 1'tt,... <':0111<' let l( 1'''::'

"n, J-. Gnod nigh:."

O \\"JI) r,,"rled I"tll tn h,r dl'fl!' "'1<1 [Ilr-lIlally ~h,'nk b;,"ds II ilh Ihem hQ(h, 1\hich

ser 11ed to alllu,r Ihrlll a litlle. Then hc h"d anaj:;rrr"hlc b?1[ b01ll' \I Ith his pilI'< h,lSC". J fc hadgnt flom nelll1Il1"l"n ,I h,t of thr OI'CI1PIC'r!rnOlnsin the hOIC'1. He hung" Lhn'tma' ,tpCklllg 011the otHer kllnh nt c\ cr: d()()1" ..-liHl ;{1railQcd aJ,ttl( hr;>p pt (andy hp:\( ...., tin hOlIl ..... and t(l~S

belo.'1 it, HC' ll\"dr ',[I'S ~r, "nt', I'de r'pc< lall\'implc <1\C, lle "II III hC'r thlot. lIe 1,,1<1 I1I11\.e1£th"t ·he h;" ;:-1\C'n 111m a II h11k of all el rnlnr;:,I"ttt I.;he 11;1<1111 g-nt hl111 Oil the l"rl.\\' ;1, JlltlCh as

"e t hOllght -hr bad,I Ie h",1 an OI11t'on \\ hell he elll, red th, l\rn-

111:1'2't8J1 (!.ning- rnnJ11 the Jlc:-.:..t111()j nine:!' n( 111lin:-.ton him'elf had frcel~ ICleakd thc Idelltlty "fthe ll0trl's Santa Clall" Ti,e hatf dmell (1'''' ci;l1'~mr;I, SItting at hrrak,a,t and armed II nh Ihel1"lill hOll1', galO i1l1n a f.11J{a1e a, he rll(el cd thcroom, and old :-[1", Spe1\cer sent him il\' hrrIl :,11'(11 a ,ani bral1ng a lillc of thallI,- foralld apprecla(iOll of bcr unexpected Chn,tmas•..tell 1-. 'Il~.!.

Afler brC'ak fast Da.' id intel"\ iCI\ c(; Bellnillgtonin tl\r latter's offire, (onld he get some cx(raskatrs-a pair for a lady and a p'lir for himsclf?Hc could. ITc cOllld "e( al1yllllng, Tbe hate! alldit, eontC'lI(O, TIlllnlngtoll a<surcd hl111, \lC'rC I11S,Thc storm 1,,,d ld"Io,t clr;Jrrd hy hrr;(k fa'(

li']1r .\t Irn o'clnck lhere \\,erC' 0111, a le'\ n,\krsIh 'It;n~ 1"I1'~lWl1j in the' luI' air. Thl "illl! '.ld~()" rip" 11, t0n, ri.llr1 thr "t:n \\ ••... nv!" ll"':' ,'11 rf-T0rt

to bre~k (]11ough tllllllll"'':, ;': 0' Cil'l1<l" J)a\ d

,

,11'1" "'(f hed .\Ii s l~r\ a ut II IIh «ut cr ,11.11'1'11, . uddcr p m nrr un« illinc nc s-." J gol a parr n] ;::onr! Iiorsr-s and a cutter ((1 ;::11

tn the I;l!,r." he t o lr] her. "'J houzht praps ) oumicht like a slcirrh r id c Ior a cha rurc.'l Icr r, r, sho« cd a rnornc nt "1'0' lIght, but she

'pnk~ ind;IIcrrntJ~'," \\lfnll, goo" of vou." she said. a url ]),1\1(1

lilt I11S lip. ~hl:.'1 a rm c d 11 1,,( II hen h c helpedhe: 1I1tO t h c Sk1r;:h a nd turk cd a healy fill' r obc

11\ cr h c r I, nr cs.

"TIKI 'II h~ ,0ITle drifts." he 1\ "riled h- r. "Bl1tthej wont hot hr r the sleIgh a nv II1<'rc l h a n

rhr vd j,l1thrr (he s('cI,,", It's not g ood gl1ll1:;cit h«: I' "" hilt II c 11 /-;~t thrl r-.'~hr s ru ilcrl her 'l11" rior Iit t lc :'I111lr."\'''l1 1",<1 a gn'l( tlnl~ :h" l110rllln;;, ehrln't

) "" ? the "Il'l ;,skrrl sl1drl"IlIj." 'r', 1 did,"

T 11- 1,1'1''1' his ,dtrnt'''" (III 1111' h"l r lie1 hnped sh,· I\nl1hln( ltlk Jf d,,' 'hd it 11"'51('11 to ,1 hllnrlr("~ c.;hr·d I1v1,r hll'11 111;jd ;'l1d "rn11

his 11lnl'llllr:, rillt hIS nr:\:t \\Olds rnrp('d n tlrJ {prc.;;;qhh,

" \ 011 rI"ll'l 1l1ln;:1c ndl< h,"'1 ~'(''l, I'nl J1nl ;t \ C·) ~(1nd 1111:-\( r

"Ynl1';c ,nUllA' f:IH I'~ht"jr; !l( t

h'l\ r l""n, I

to ,:rt (lle;- 1[.,'1." henil ;~ll inlpltlf~f, " \ ()11'I1

11\" ill (hrse p'lrt<."

,\'~lS ~11l1li\~('d. Jle1"'('. <!Td not ~pcak(hc 1, k<. It \\ as a l1ICC,

clllllpani<,"abic little Like and .\Ii s rr)all( (hou<;bt\I rll nf It. Then a sudden r.eJ1ectlon stl UCK bel',•• \\'hy, It'S bern rleared-a lot of It.""""1 r i( ha', Ho\\' did) au c. peet I'e 1\ ere

gnl1l' to sk"lc if i( \\a-n't? ""\ou 111elln ,011 srnt mcn out herc al rI h"d It

1'1'rl Iy c 1<'"red lllls 1110flllllg? "•. ~urc 1 (he!. Yon II;;nted to ,kale, (!T<1n'( jOu?"•• You re re"lI, rathrr .'\ ondcrful," she ''lid

~lol\ 1, .llc ,"Ired,"You \\"nted to sk":r,dldn'I,If\II? "hetcpca:rd," It's ;::re"t," ,he s"id \\ l(h a ncw 1Jole In her

loicc "l.rl's ba\ c a race ~"ShC' d"r(rd off as shc spoke, alld I'c S\\ cpt" (tcr

her, .\g"in his hrart rm'C', ~he 1\ as bum"l1rl"''''.;h to rlljoy (his, thC'l1, That II liS all tn thcgo,," ~he h,ul taken a ,hght ;j(1I alll;,ge ot himIn (he 'tart, hut that. hc grIllllingly rrnected, \Ias1JlItl1ral. J Ic \I as ~?illl1lg on hcr, rlnsl1lg 111 onher, 1\ hen hr heard a ,hal p cr;;ek nf tbe icc\11'rler thrir fcct. lle c"ught hIS brc,\(h andJonked for 11Cr. Shc lI'as safcly oler (hc dal1ger'1'''(. nut before hc could (\1rn or el en Sl\ en'ethe ICC hC'nC';;lh 111m ga\ e \\ ay am[ hc foundb1ll1,elf m (he frC'rzing 1\ a(cr.The shock madc him ~~a'p. hn( ,hc \.' ,lS alrrady

too far a.'.' ay to hC'ar him, llc hoped to God sheIIOU]e! not look halk till hc \1 as out of thi~. \'ery~10111y and glllgrrly he rrachcd for thc brokcnerl'\c of thc ncarC'st ice a nd felt 1t gTl c 1\ ay undcrh,s 11and. lIe ~tradled !1IlllSelf. Irod \I ater. and(!C'.pcratcly stuehcd thc slluatlOll. Thc ICC II asa 1surdly thin, Hc'd hal e a .'Iord \IIth f]elllling-ton about that 1\ hC'n he gnt l1<1ck to the hotel.Ilc tC'ntatilcly selectrd ,,"olher spot 10 test. Itr;:;1\C wa). He SI\OlC' (h,gt1'(edl" lIe \I"S notI rt re"i1y alarml d, Thrll IllS 11C"1t ,(OO(! stIli.Thr girl hl,d t\1rllcd, 1I;'d seen hllll, alld \\ as has-lrnillg hack."Kcep a\\ ay," he shontetl imprrltll1<Iy. "Gct

back to sbore. Grt bllck ljluck ~"~he did not rrply. She II as circhl1g around,

not too close and \'cry carcfnlly, elldenlIy s(udy-ing the situation, It \\ as aho plall1 that shcgrasped it."HoI\' Jong ca n you hold Ollt? " shc a'ked I cry

coolly,"Till nC'xt Chri,tma'."lIe lIas (r,ill:; anothrr ledgc of icc .'Ihcn ,he

eamc h"ck alld her \'oicc ca l\C to h,s cars '0

'"dde n1y t hat he uncon'cioll'!y threll his \I richtnll Ihe (hl1l la,er and \ICllt dOlln IInh it. He!'·\Ille III' ~"'rillg 911d clr"red (hC' i" II atel fr"1llhi, 1', ", llc h"r! nn Idr'l hnl\' lnnc <J1C h"rI heen"nn('. .\. fr\l II eeks, 111", be. Hc Inokrd IJ"ck of

": (\11,

hiru a n.l hi, hralt jr"l'rrl, CO(l'! ~irl! ("",dho',,\: Sh •. h"rI,,'t w a st cd t irnc 1\('1\ Illlg for ht lpIIlln lh"t Irozcn silcnrc. ::-'he h~d mcr e ly pulledt hc ncarc st I"tI Ir ncc "1'''1'( and had hrllt~ht b"1 k,n'lo 01 the ra il s \'cry ca lrnly anri c xncrtl, .hewa-. ml'kIl1g' a lif c linc of t hcm, c:C'ttlng clos er, ofcours c. as she rlirl so,"1"eC'!) ;(11av.' he shour cd. "Yon'l1 he in YO'U-

self In a minute Keep al'''" 1 tell .I ou.'". '0," she sa id calmly. " I'm goin~ (0 lay

rizht here and get ,nu out. This left side gil esvou the best chance. doesn't it? Isu't the Icethic l.cr hcre?""Yrs, nut Ior (,"d's s.ik c don't come any

11(';11 C1". I

~he did come ncarcr. She had to, But 0,1",\ ly all,l ('llelllJ1~ thai his pounding heart,tr l,h~<1 "s he ",Ilchec! her, She I' as as cool "Sthe ICC ir sr lf. as stead, as a rock.•. :.. (1\1." shr '" id quict lv. "c" n ,ou gc( that , "" I'll tr,. Rut keep h;" k."To them bot h It 'f'e ricrl a 1'C111'11' hc l or e h e

1\d' up nil til" sllri"ce of the" c, ordcrinz her 10rct rc» t hc f orc him. whic h she rbrJ cr"\l\ing I"pi!afl~1 ,he 101l1,j ba\e rlsel1, h(',',,"se of his lll« -~an( and Illlp"""oned rlllrrlltlC'S, Thpn (hc, I' ~leh;(, k on (he shore, lh I'i<\ hrl'l nn( a ~haklJl':;,dlippl11c b,,"d,

•• (;'"0<[ \I "1'1., ,i(, ;':Irl,' he "\1'\ \\llh ('hal e'lll~teelh, "1 dl1l1'l klln\1 all"tlln girl an~l\heIe Ih.'tc"l1le1 h"1 r <[f'l1e thiS."

hnl ,hc h;'<1 11" tIme lor alnrlll Ir,. Shc d'd11111r\l II t,{kc :11<' h",,,!. Shc sail (ha( he \1,tS,h"'k,l1'~ III a Ilokn: chdl,•. (;, ( 111(<1tl1:>( ,kl'.:h," ,he ordCl«i. •. Full tre

11'1 lip ;ll1llnd JOU, to ,('lIr 11<,k, I'm going tod I 1\ C' "

U" phe, rd her hllll,hl,. I( 1\as a stral1ge scn- t-tlflll, hut h" klt 1111hlllt1ihatinn, Ilere \PS " ;:; r1i I ;; Ihou""HI, a g'Iri Jtl a mJihnn, ~he had ri kedhrr hfc for hill again and ~g"lIl, and for God1.;11<'\\'Sho\\' iOllg--

~hc h"d Ill1t led Ihc hurse', II as ha' k In (hc r'lhe<i'!c [lim, II "s halldhll'; (he reIns cool) al dnpertl,. Hc enckalnred to spr"k hilt could n t.•. Dl1ll't tlY," she ordered, •. Keep lhc robes lip

1111<1,'1"~0!1t' Ch111, I'm ;::'0111g'tn get j ou back (0th" 1",ld In rec()Jd I il11C'."~h(' I( ( IIIC llf'rs< S ,,"t ami tlle~ r"ccd h 1t k

~Jellg 11,e fl 0Z( 11 rO"ds Thc Clltl~r 1'0' ked '" IIrrl 'e', 11;,1id rl,'<r,1 his r, e" She'd proh"h y':lIch Ihrlll bOlh, hut ,he 1\ '" II nnh d,lng \\"lIh ...:ohc dro" cas wrll 1\S~r~,k"(ed, ~ol1le gIrl, Ih ~

1'"\111"1,1~\I as a ehri,:u,,"s d,\l1er ;l,( ])clJl1il',.,-:I'I1'S (h"t 11I;2hl. "I l'?l1~ed I., Bennlllgton f r

111<;:.:ur'ts "'HI " fr\\' nf hI, fcllo\I' tml'\1SmCn andlOll ""1 "Illrll, It II;" heir! in thl' bi:; dining rooma 11<1t11rrr I' a, all nr< heslra th"t pl",'ed all thelei <I, U, ~ ,,",';1 I'or a (Ime I( 1nnkpd '" if :'lr.I)" I in \ "'-'C II oul,! nnt gr'" e tbe f~"tl.' ItO'. Heh,,,: I'" 11 rllt to hed b, Ihe ,lnclor. anr! a tPII',_dn"r'r h"d h~"l1 el1r-agerl (0 keep him (here."\\p',-' Ilnl gOll1g to let )011 ha\e pnrumoI1i2.,"

tbe ,I<lcl('r lulcd curti).1~1I1 at te:\ I" JO"k that n,~ht bOlh nuroe and

',d Irl1t II (' c e,I·1 hl"he(1 brfor lhc bi;; fire 111Ihe (';\Idln,,,n, thr [',!llt'n( In all ea-y ,hall' lookln;::stllhhorn, tbr nnl'c l)e Idc bim, lnokin6' srared," [ dnn't 1,11<1\\ 1\ h"t the r!octor II III say," she

II,' riled,., I d<l, J!" 1'''1~IFlbC \1111 hc alllnl," lJalld

glil1l1rrl.The d" 11<er, drifted in by (\\ os and fours Lo

\\el(0111e h1l11 h;;ck (0 hk, :'Iiss Bry"nt did '1 ,tappear for Ipjf ,In hour. \\"hen she came II.eothers t"rtfulh' faded ,111"" e\'en the nurse,•. Don't lrt hllll go in and danl:c," the nu')c

.'I'arurd, •. Thcre's 110 telling II h"t he'll II antto do!"Eut ~ll )),1\1(1 Vorse \lalllcd (0 do !lOW \ a, (0

,it al1d jon I, at Bclly Br) ant \\'i(h hIs hcart in his

Cj C'.•. Don't tl,l Ih"t hl",c stuff \li(h JIle any more,

plr",e," he !Jcg:::rrl at 1"<1. "Don'( cyer try It":;""1. Yon sec, [kl1nIl' )Oll no\\', so .Iou ,an'tfonl me all, morc"

•. YOIl c"n ( [,,01 111e, el(hrr," ,be retahatedho(II', "I ( II "S (hat silly COl' boy stuff of YOlJrs(hllt' "l1llole(1 mc so Illuch, Since )OU (hought) au had (~ pll( ()II (ha( pcrforl11"!1('e for my bene-fit T dC', ided :0 pI'I~ 1\ h(lic 10le of IllY own ...\\ 11i<11IS \ 0111' :\e\l Fngl"n<1 ,ollege? "",\ll1hCI:S:," he 0",,1 ,hrepl~hl), "'11lf'11 1 (",>1,

a spcrl;t! eOl1r,c ,,: (hc .\Tnherst . Agglc' "ldC""1C' \lc'l 10 ,eC'k Tnl jortl1nr, jn the cnd 1declde<! (0 go in 1'01 ('aU k.""The P01l1t I'," she i,lu'.:hcd, "th"( )OU ne\ft

f"nled mc for? 1111nllte, Ru( I fooled ~ou."" I don I think, 1'\1 (ltel, re"Il,," hc muscd alol1<1

"'Yf'U m;ide mc 111"d el rr) time you opened, n'lrm"ull1, hut ,011 not ICC I kC'pt coming h'lek tf'1'more, ,\l1d I \I "S 1\ retched el cry 111111nte l II,"a\l aI' [1'0111\ f'11. '-'rr hetr, Relty," hr h111[led linhre;;t1;1c"I,: "II;<S (h"t all on 111," ~1flc? \\ a, [just 1\ ne\l llcql1"lntltllce to I on, "nel nothlllgnlnrc'j .,

She 111l1;::1)C',1r.llhcr ,h"ktl" :\r.lther of thr'l1he,d ,r't \I IwIl1' relO\ crrd frnl1l (he 5(1 enuol1seXjlcnrll('e of (hc nwrnlng,

.. \ \'llat do ~ 011 \\ (tnt lllC lO ~;:t \.: "

" I 1\1'1l( ,on (0 sa~ Ihat from lh~ I" sl momcntyou looked at mc ~au kl1CII lh"t 1 I' 'IS I\lth ~outo stay-to stay allla,-, RI(1)."Shc ,hook her head."You go too fast, CO\l ho" \\ a,t till \ e e

.' is;(ed ) au at ~"our r"'1('h fnr ;t \I eck or two,""Thcll \1 c'll lalk ;Ihont it? " hc persls(ed."\Yc'lI (alk about it-prl haps!""You know \\ c \I iiI. Rut. RClt" 1\ e got 10

!la\ c ~olllcthillg to go on, .\ ki"-ju,t one kis',-\lould be a grand ptCsel1t for Chl'l~lm"s I i:;ht."he II hcrdled. "I'm a >lC', I ell, 1 feel so \ 'eakand f"int:"

~hr langhed nnirC'hnc:ly," Fraur! ~" ,he said. Ru( hcr lace la ne clIJ,rr

as ,hc 'pokr, lln,l he 1'C"lhe<! up awl cau;;!;/. I'crin IllS a 1'111'.

(C(1t:'Jll""ht. l"J;): R~ Lll hcth Jr'd n)