Before that day came the Brownies planned to make cookies, cakes and candies and decorate the entire house with greens.
“Mr. Jeffert has promised us a Christmas tree,” Miss Gordon told the girls. “He said we may have any one we select.”
“One so tall it will touch the ceiling!” cried Rosemary.
“Please, may we choose it this afternoon?” pleaded Eileen, who was eager to return to the woods. “While we’re there, we could see if the birds are using the new feeding station!”
“How many Brownies feel equal to another hike?” asked Miss Gordon.
All the other girls voted for the trip too and ran to put on their warm snowsuits.
A brisk walk through the frosty air brought the Brownies to the edge of Mr. Jeffert’s land.
“Our track has completely disappeared!” declared Miss Gordon. “Last night’s snow was heavier than I thought.”
The trail to the birds’ feeding station had been completely blotted out by the light fall of snow. Eileen and Jane, however, knew the way.
She and Jane broke track through the snow. Now and then they glimpsed stretches of the old trail which had not been completely covered, so they were sure they were going the right way.
A moment later, Jane sang out: “Here we are. Our tree was right beside this tall one--but where is it now?”
She and Eileen, who were ahead, both stopped short. Only an ugly stump arose from the place where the birds’ Christmas tree had stood the previous day.
Someone had chopped down the evergreen during the night!
“Why, it’s gone! Our lovely tree is gone!” cried Eileen in a shrill voice.
The Brownies were so stunned they hardly said a word. They could not believe a mistake had been made in the tree’s location, for in the snow nearby were bits of ribbon and string and a pine cone with food still pressed into it.
“Oh, how could anyone be so mean?” demanded Connie.
“Especially when the woods is filled with nice evergreens,” added Rosemary, stooping to pick up the pine cone. “Why couldn’t Mr. Jeffert have cut down another tree?”
“I don’t believe Mr. Jeffert did it,” said Connie soberly. “Our tree probably was chopped down by that same thief who has been sneaking onto his property.”
“And I agree,” commented Miss Gordon. “Mr. Jeffert never would have cut down our tree.”