9 ACORN "Tell me about that brother whom you think I resemble. What is his name?" "His name is Frank. He is just older than I and we had so many good times together when we were children, but he went away when he was about twenty, and we have never seen him since," said Maude with a quiver in her voice. "Have you never heard from him since?" asked Hawk, trying his best to be calm. "Yes, he has sent several checks to mother, but we do not know just where he is at present," she answered. "Would you like to see him?" asked Hawk. "Oh, I should like nothing better than to find him and take him home to spend Christmas with mother and me, for I know how happy it would make her. She has never given him up, she looks for him night and day," said Maude. The music started once more and someone came to claim her. Hawk silently left the hall, mounted old Blaze and turned toward the ranch. About noon the following day, the school teacher received a letter, addressed in a strange, yet familiar hand writing. She hastily tore it open an dread: Dear Little Friend: You told me last night that you would like to see your brother, and I am sure he is anxious to see you. If you still want to see him meet him at the end of the long lane tonight at six o'clock. Respectfully, MR. HAWKINS. At a quarter of six Maude was seated on a large rock at the end of the lane, where the road turns to Blue Ridge ranch. In the distance she saw a horseman galloping down the road. As he drew nearer she noticed the familiar form of the rider. Was it her brother? She ran up the road to meet him. He dismounted, clasped her in his arms and kissed her again and again. "My sister!" he sobbed. That night in Blue Vale hotel, Frank Riley sat down to write a letter. It ran as follows: "Good-bye, old pals, I hope to see you all again some day. I hate to leave you, but thereis someone who needs me more my mother. Be good to the little school teacher. Jack, because she is my sister. Your old pal, FRANK RILEY, alias HAWK." ACORN 10 It was a happy but somewhat changed man that boarded the train for Sunny Dale next morning, because he was going back to the old home to begin life anew. At dusk that night as Frank Riley approached the home of his boyhood days, he saw a light shining out of the window and he thought of that old song, There's a light shining bright In the window tonight, For there's somebody waiting for me. He opened the door. There seated in front of the old hearth was his mother. With a cry of "Mother," he knelt at her knee. "My son! my darling boy!" In the garden in the moonlight Sat a turkey and his dove With their wings about each other, Sighing "Oh, my Honey-dove." Said the gobbler to his sweetheart: "Oh my love, I realize That Thanksgiving Day is coming, We must flee to save our lives. "But, my love, you first must wed me 'Ere we from this yard depart. Answer 'Yes' and say you love me Or you'll break my aching heart." Then the blushing maiden turkey Hung her head in silent glee; "Oh my dear, how you surprise me! But I will your true love be." Then he drew her to him closely, Gave her one long, lingering kiss; Sighed from out his throbbing bosom, "This is life, oh! this is bliss."