Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1871-12-30


street brought the boarding house into view
then, in torrent, her vexation and unhappi-
ness burst forth, and swept over the unsuspect-
ing Seth In a storm Of the fearful words.
"You do not care for me; you do not love me
any more! Why not be honest and say 50
Sitting there evening after evening and hour
besides. you never come but once In two weeks,
and never stay more than ten minutes when you
do come. The other night, when was speaking
Of Nilsson, you did net hear one word said; and,
when asked you how old she was, you said
about eighty, believe;' and Miss Van Airytop
laughed 1t was all a mistake, nv coming to
New York. wish had stayedin Plum Valley.
wish ma, naa never seen you, and don't think
De buried" sobbed the "nut-brown mayde," in
doleful despair.
When the astonished Seth had recovered his
breath, he burst forth in rapid phrases: "My
own Cicely, is it possible such trifies have
troubled you? Do you not see that my mind Is
hourly filed with plans to hasten the day when
thoughts, all my labors, are for you dear, and
your love is all live for in the world, do not
care for conventional sentences uttered within
the hearing of idle strangers, but come TO the
house to look at my darling. and 90 away
strengthened for the battle going on, day and
night, between me and Fate. You can have no
idea how hard is the CONTEST but it is all for the
home, and the home, dear, is your
Another week had passed, and Christmas was
close at hand. The city was gay with holiday
gifts and holiday people, and the very air seemed
",
laid her plans for the day with careful precision.
altering them regularly every night before fall
ing asleep, and writing spasmodic little notes to
Seth every morning to inform him of the last
important change in her programme. One even
ing, one precious evening. the two had the
drawiDg-room all to themselves; the Van Airy-
tops and retinue were at Booths Theater, the
DeePdowner family had gone to the Philhar-
menic Concert, and the Misses Ecclesae were
attending rehearsal at st. Bonte's.
Isn't this delightful?' exclaimed Cicely, as
hn sx,N<.
can stay all the evening, and will show YOU INV
final programme for Christmas dav." They
seated themselves, and the little lady had no
she talked on happily for many minutes. At
length, drawing roll Of paper from her pocket,
she said This, Seth, is the programme 1t
commence at exactly the same hour; isn't that
delightful? oh, Seth, how could you? Suppose
Priscilla Ann should see your"
would she crush me at one fell blow?'
"Nonsense, sir! But, really, you must be
careful for Priscilla Ann is an important per-
son, and her ideas of propriety are stern as Ply
mouth rock. Listen now to the
PROGRAMME.
"For Christnds Ere.-walk on Broad way from
four to five; dine at the Silver Restaurant Oob-
ster salad, Omelette souffie, Neapolitan cream,
and plum cake): attend the rehearsal at ST.
Bontes.
:" For Ckrisfmas Ddy.-Mee at the corner
at ten a.. m. exactly; attend service at St
Bonte'si lunch at the Golden Restaurant,
PantOmime' at MallOt's; dine at the Diamond
Restaurant, (pdte de foie gras, meringue olaces
and plum pudding;l in the evening attend
BOOM ne essne and buy 0 S1G9sI w,,ny
Excellent EXCELLENT appiaad @ILS Seth.
'but could you not allow me small portion of
meat, and one or two potatoes, dear?''
:" Never For once, at least, you shall eat
Elysian food. Sign your name, sir!"
must go now" said the young man. as he
traced bold :. Seth Austin" beside the delicate
"Only half past eight" exclaimed Cicely. In
a tone of grieved wonder; "and we seldom have
an evening alone together"
4" Never mind, dear, il will all coma right in
the end Indeed, must go, for have some
work to do at the Office; and, besides nv head is
so hlled with business that should Prove but
" Always engrossed with business. ALWAYS
talking Of things cannot understand: eccentric
pumps and throttling cranks-such mysteries!"
No more mysterious than things cut goring,
or acatching bias are to me-" answered Seth.
smiling down on the vexed little upturned face
Trust me, dear. amfull of anxiety to- night"
men stsv, ana let me smooth out the
troubles, whispered Cicely, with beseeching
glance.
But Seth was not to be persuaded, although
his blue eyes shone with affectionate soictude
as he said good night. The door closed; and he
was gone.
Little Cicely sat alone in the drawing-room,
nursing ANNOYANCE h; into anger, and installing
city had not left her unchanged, and her fresh
beauty had attracted enough attention to dis
turb the even bal ance of her inexperienced
fancy. Among others, Mr.. Blanchard de Voltage,
a young gentleman living in the same house,
had found time to notice the country girl, al
though ostensiblv he belonged to the Van Airy
top retinue. A few chance words on the stairs
few chance conversations in the draWins-room.
a few encounters in the street, expressive black
tyes, a waxed moustache, and diamond studs,
formed i fascinating vision in Cicely's eyes,
voice behind betrayed the very presence of the
vision. The conversation that ensued was more
tn an pie asabt to the disappointed little heart.
entirely with all her feelings and tastes, Mr. de
Voltage appreciated all her Ideas, he understood
her without the necessity OF explanation, and
With Seth's blunt ways. After all, a veil OF
mystery increases the charm of the fairest
flower, and in conversation with Mr. de Voltage
implied rather than disclosed-in short, some
thing to be discovered. So thought Cicely two
hours later, as, with flushed cheeks and bright
eyes, she busted herself in the arrangement of
her cell; the careful slowing away Of every ar
ticle was more Of necessity there than virtue,
for even pin seemed to crowd the floor and
hide the pattern Of the carpet.
o'clock the day before Christmas, Cicely and
Seth were walking up Broadway, the little cloud
ON the nut-brown mayde's brow having vanished
as the canary bird sings, and her
although somewhat grave looked
so happy and showed such tender affection in
all his words, that Mr.. de volage's black eyes
were altogether forgotten, and all went merry
as the Christmas bells. After swaying about in
the Broadway throng, they had drifted into
Aiaddin's Palace, where, as before described,
Cicely was lost in the diamonds, and Seth in his
own busy thoughts. As she glanced up at her
distracted companion, Miss Wild observed the |
dark face Of Blanchard de Voltage, at little dis
lance, examining pair Of fringed diamond ear
rings, with the air Of q connoisseur. As Cicely
his graceful bow, she pulled Sethis |
whispering impatiently:
DO take me away from these Jewels; thew
really make me unhappy"
Passing Mr.. de Voltage, she intuitively felt the
prolonged stare with which he honOred Mr..
Austin, and never be fore had Seth's boots
seemed 30 old, his hands 50 large and his coat so
Unconscious Seth. however,
drew Cicely Is arm costly through hiso as they
reached the street, and asked gayly:
" So You like the diamonds, dear 2"
" Like Il no word Seth. Say, rather admired,
Or coveted. Somebody win wear those fringed
earrings, i suppose 2" And a deep sigh fol-
But the Silver Restaurant opened its doors.
and in the new delight Of ordering the dishes
prescribedby the programme, Cicely grew amia-
BILE again, and the dinner was pronounced a deli
cious success. AT least Miss Wild said so, and
Seth obediently ate whatever she gave him. not
even daring to refuse the large slice Of plum
cake with which the feast closed. After having