Kenosha tribune & telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1856-1859, 1857-12-24
&C AID IE,''
OR
A STORY OF A HAUNTED HOUSE.
BY HoLME LEE.
BY HoLME LEE.
XII.-NEAlENSIS.

- Marsh the print-seller, who stood
= godfathers for the child, to spend
the evening in NEVIS Court; and the
uuusal festyity could not be signalized
without much needless trouble. Adance
had even been limited at, but promptly
negatived by Laurence, who said briefly
that such a thing was not to be thought
of-and besides they had no friends
This was one of his strange incompre-
hensible ideas, that they haana friends,
whereas Aides former schoolfedows had
come often to see her and the baby, and
would gladly have renewed their old ac-
quaintance, if he had not been so cold
and distant, that the most socially dis.
posed were soon discouraged in their
attempts to know them. Even St. Barbe
rarely saw the inside of their door, and
had never broken bread with them since
the death of Nicholas Drew; the same
with CURL also, although he had done
Royston several kind offices since he
had returned to live at Eversley. Mar
tina did her share of the work with a
stolid unsympathozing Indifference; but
Mrs. Parkes, who had undertaken to
cook a supper worthy of the time-for
it was Christmas-made noise and stir
enough to have spoilt dozen turkeys
instead Of roasting one. Then all her
talk was redolent of sugar, and spice,
and lemons, and strong waters; for the
worthy woman's appreciation of good
things of this life was in the ratio of her
scant enjoyment of them.
Adie made Laurence put on his we'd
ding suit; and she herself donned del
icate-tinted silk tafety, brocaded with
bright flowers, which had been the
Frenchman's bridal gift to her; matron-
wise, she wo'd cover her luxuriant black
hair with a piece of cobweb lace, which
came to peak on the forehead, and
down in two broad lappets behind
The excitement and pleasure of the day
had brought deeper, softer luster to
her large eyes, and The vermeil flush on
her cheek was as pure and fresh as in
her maiden-prime. The child, too, was
decked in rich Indian muslin, all finely
embroidered; with gsy shouIder-knots
Of blue, which contrasted well with the
velvet-sottness and purity Of his little
dimpled arms and shoulders. The wo-
men of the court had one and all been
up to admire him, somewhat to the dis
comtture Of Laurence, who at length
retrcated into the closet, and left them
to exhaust their superlatiyes of admira-
ton unrestrained. They were all clus-
tered upon the hearth, talking in chorus,
the boy being in his mothers arms. sur
yeying the Whole proceedings with an
air OF princely satisfaction, when short.
comfy dame in black, joined the group,
and added her need Of praise. Adie
was holding the boy aIott when this
person came in; but she instantly took
him down, and let him hide his face a.
gainst her neck, torit was not consider
ed "a good omen that the nurse who
went from house to house to Law out
corpseS for burial should show herself
at q christening. Mrs. Parkes made a
loud exclamation; and said that judith
ought to have known better, and Martha
too.
q did not know any one could OBJ
ject," said the nurse in a meek voice, 81
don't believe much in fancies myself
The bonnie BARN will thrive none the
worse for Judith's blessing, I'm sure"
Mrs. Parkes turned an indignant
shoulder upon her, and, thus repudiated,
the poor soul, whose vocation made her
everywhere an unwelcome guest, drew
back and spoke TO Martha, who, with
icy face and folded hands, stood looking
on. Presently the two were observed
to whisper together, while Judith glanc-
edmysteriously at the rich lace on Aides
head. Mrs. Parkes insisted on her re-
marks being uttered aloud. eve are
all women, and all friends; there is no
secrets, said she, moved, perhaps, as
much by past Indignation as present Gu
riosity. Judith hesitated, and Martha
went ont.
"What is it nurse? tell us" asked
Adie in her pleasant voice. g You are
not amongst mourners to-day, and may
therefore speak aloud"
We were only saying that it was a
pity you had chose that lace for your
cap" answered the little woman, grow
ing red and uneasy.
"And why, pray?" snapped Mrs.
Parkcs. :" 1t is as beautiful a piece of
old point as was ever seen in Nevil's
Court, and is worth its weight in gold a
score OF times over. Why shouldn't it
be worn if Adie likes? nothing could
look so good or so well on her black
hair"
Maybe responded the nurse; 9 it
was only because | cut off piece of it
to cover Nicholas Drew's face when
streaked him for his coffin
Lord save us" gasped Mrs. Parkes,
dismayed at the result of her abrupt Gu
rioSity: for Aides face faded to a death
" pallor, and she sank down into a chair
One OF the women poured little OF the
wine which stood on the table, that they
might drink the boys health, and put it
to her lips. She swallowed few drops,
and recovered herself quickly, smiling
TO cover her pain.
You must not heed anything that
silly old Judith says, observed the wor-
thy woman, in cheering tone; 'she is
brimful Of cranky notions, each one
more crazed than the other. Don't think
of pulling off that pretty lace, for it be-
comes You beautiful.
! No; if an evil omen it is, the warn
ingis given" answered Adie softly. Il
shall be SO glad to get away from this
old haunted house; it is like a constant
nightmare upon our spirits"
"Yet YOU have done deal TO make il
/ lightsome." said Mrs Parkes. THAT
nice picture over the fireplace, and Mar
tina has polished up the panels till every
one shines like q looking glass. We
shall be sorry to lose you; and | doubt
whether any body else will care to come