ONE CHRISTMAS EVE

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 150, 22 December 1931, Page 24

ONE CHRISTMAS EVE

THE *heep-station Jay tucked away In the Mils, apparently njilei'from anywhere. After leaving tho little wayside railway station, the two boy« had tramped—for hours it deemed —along » duity, uphill road. And now they had dropped'their heavy bagifofa gp«Jl, Down below them in tho valley lay-their destination—Harry BaMr'e uncle'n farmi where tho two chums were spending their Christmasholidays together. "Uncle's farm, at.lastl" breathed Harry, wearily. "I feel as though I've tramped all over the North Island, don't you, Jerry?" Jerry Hardeastls grinned. "Yes. Still there's not far to go now, thank goodness. And your uncle is expecting us, isn't he? There's sure to be a good meal waiting for u». And just think, old scout, to-morrow is Christmas Day! On farms they always havo jolly good spreads, La»t Christmas I was on ft citation, I remember, and the Christmas dinner I had there kept mo i» bed a week I" , , Harry laughed, and stooped for his bag. "I'll take good care you don't over-eat this time, I'm not going to have you stuck in bed a]l the holidays. Anyway, we'd * better get a move on now." Soon the Btockyards were reached, and hero Harry saw his uncle talking with several farm hands. "Ah, here you are, boys," he said heartily, extending a huge hand to each in turn. "I am sorry I,couldn't ineot you in the car, but this in our busy time. It's sheading season now, you see." Ho dismissed the men. "Come up to tho house. Your cousins have been looking forward to seeing you. It's about three years since you we.ro hero last, isn't }tt" A jolly evening passed quickly in tho company of the boys and tho three girli. Stories were told and chestnuts cracked over a blazing wood, fire, for it grows very cold in the hills at night. Tho wireless was switched on, and a good programmo was heard from several stations, It was towards the end of an item that tho announcer said auddenly:*----"W« have been instructed by telephone by tho police of Waipawa to announce that a criminal hna escaped from the gaol »nd is thought to be in tho vicinity. Station-owners are warned to keep a sharp look-out for tho man." Then followed a description of the wanted man. The boys immediately forgot the incident. It was Bpt until they had gone to Ijcd that Harry spoke suddenly:— " ' ■ ' "I say, isn't .Waipawa the nearest town from here?" "Yet, why!" ' "Oh, I was only thinking of that criminal.1 It's these hillp he's 8ilp« posed to be wandering around in. It would be rather exciting If he choso to steal food or something from here, wouldn't it?" "Yet. By th« way, that was a jolly creepy yarn your uncle told vs. ' You know, that one about the Forest Banger who was murdered by Maoris one Christmas, up by the old stockade near here. His chost Is juppowd to haunt tho place still." . . r • (To be Continued.) N. F. HOGCARD.