Norton, Andre - Novel 32 (23 page)

"Though we cannot make any final decisions
yet, I believe that matters can be
arranged in
fairness for all. Now I wish to propose a toast—
in what seems an excellent brand of cola—" He
stood up and brought from a side table a tray of glasses, passing one to each
of them.
"A toast," he
repeated, "to Ten Mile Station,
and
its future success!"

Christie drank. Lady Maude had not been unlucky after all!
Instead she had been their
good
luck!
If it had not been for her, all the rest
might not have happened. The others were all
talking. But Christie sat quietly
until Libby
reached
out to her.

"It was your letter really—"

"Maybe," Christie answered contentedly.
"Only Lady Maude really did
it, didn't she?
Oh,
Libby, it will be fun giving her a place
of her own at Ten Mile! People will love see
ing her. We can put different
dresses on her
and—"

"And everything!" Libby finished for her.
"Christie, it's going to be
just wonderful at Ten
Mile!"

"Young ladies!"

They both looked up, startled. Mr. Cranford
stood there.

"I have made the necessary arrangements
with Sheriff Wylie. He's prepared
to surrender
Lady
Maude to you, and you can take her home
this afternoon. But remember—I expect to be
hearing from you about just how
she conducts
herself
and how things go for her."

"Yes, oh, yes, Mr. Cranford! We'll remem
ber!" Christie promised.

She looked around for Mother or Father—
maybe they could go right now to collect Lady Maude.
She would really feel much safer to be
back
at Ten Mile with Lady Maude. That was
home
for all of them, now
and forever, ever
more! Christie
hugged that thought to her very tightly indeed.