The Placer herald., 1871-12-23
Camron's Christmas Gift
by ELIZA D. PARKER.

seat Of Arthur Camron. 1t was Christmas
eve. The snow-storm of the previous day
had passed away, and the bright beams Of
the December sun were shining through the
lofty windows of the apartment, save where
their light was met and mellowed by cloud
of crimson silk drapery. The room was
lofty and furnished in style that did justice
to the taste and generosity of the bachelor
owner. The walls, from the rich carpeted
floor, on whose downy luxuriance the hastiest
step sank noiselessly, to the vaulted ceiling,
were filled with valuable Looks and rare
paintings. Soft lounges and easy chairs
were abundant, but Arthur Camron strobe
impatiently up and down the room seemingly
insensibe to their attractions.
=" cannot willingly submit to such an in
truder at Camron Hall, he said, picking up
an open letter which had fallen at his feet.
True, loved the fair, false mother in my
youth, but she deserted me for the dark
eyed Italian count, and now, after these long
years, she has presumed upon my forgive
ness, and dying, bequeaths her child to me.
A girl, too. What am | to do with the
little foreigner in this bachelor abode of mine?
The child will be here tonight" glancing at
the open letter. I" "A Christmas gift she
comes, suppose. Well, kind Heaven save
me from any more such" and Arthur Cam
ron, bachelor of thirty-two, walked from
the room in search of his housekeeper, an
aged woman who had received him, wall
ing infant, from his dying mothers arms.
"Prudence," he said seating himself by
her cheerful fire, "the peace of this estab-
lshment is about to be brought to an end.
Y on remember Grace Clinton, the yellow
haired, blue-eyed girl, whom you used to
hold responsible for all the misdemeanors OF
my youth?'
"Well do and good reason l have to
remember her, my boy, for it was the ugly
trick she served that has made you live here
| all alone so many years, instead of marrying
like Christian gentleman. What of her,
Arthur? Does the decetful jade want your
fortune now?''
"No Prudence. You must not be so &C.
we're in denouncing the poor, weak wo-
man, for she is dead, and tremor of pity
shook his manly voice; "and has left her
child, little girl of twelve years old to my
care. What am 10 do with her? How
am to rear her ?"
"Send her to some asylum" said the old
woman, her withcred cheek lit up with in
dgnation at this coming destruction of the
peace of her boy.
"Pshaw, woman-me refuse home to a
poor, helpless little creature who is cast upon
my bounty? No, never. Much as l dis
like the idea of having female domesticated
at Camron Hall, C innot refuse to receive
the orphan child of Grace Clinton, SO you
can arrange the little chamber next to this
for her occupation, and engage that pretty
little neice of yours, Bette Carter, to wait
on her. That is all we can do for the pres
ent. And now you can prepare to receive
her, for the letter informs me she will arrive
to night" But even as he spoke, the hall
bell rang, and the servant ushered into the
library little form enveloped in shawls, fol-
lowed by great black dog. They had been
committed to his care by gentleman at the
door, who had Immediately departed. The
aged housekeeper, although in no very pleas
ant mood, knew her duty to her masters
guest, and promptly proceeded to unwrap
the wee form of the child, while Arthur
stood by-a picture of despair. Recovering
himself, he welcomed the child, and placing a
chair near the fire, inquired if she was very
cold.
"No, sir, am never very cold. Mamma
used to say had too much fire in my veins
to feel cold, but | know Carlo is, for that
wicked man made him ride outside all the
way here" and she caressngly drew the wet
and snowy head of the huge black animal
in her lap. AS she did so, she turned pair
of black, glistening orbs full upon her fu-
ture protector, who thought her dark face at
once the most peculiar and attractively beau
tiful he had ever seen. The slight, graceful
form was not larger than a child of seven,
but perfect symmetry. Her complexion was
so unusually dark, that but for the curve of
the thin lips, and shape of the small aquiline
nose, it mi ght have been supposed that a
dark tide flowed in her veins. Around her
swartha face fell an abundance of dark glossy
rnglets, that reached far below her waist;
but it was her large, lark eyes, those glo-
rous windows of the soul, that gave her
face its greatest charm.
"What is your given name, little girl?
asked Arthur.
"Etna Grace. The first for the mountain
near which was born, and Grace for NAM
ma; but have always been called Etna,
because they said l was so much like vol
cano that it suited me best" Then looking
around the apartment with an air of salts
faction, she inquired, "Can Carlo and stay
in this pretty room when we like ?"
Arthur moved uneasily in his chair. The
undsputed master of the hall from his in
fancy, he had never had any one to interfere
with his privacy Or comfort. The library
was his favorite retreat, his usual sitting
room, and he was by no means well pleased
at the prospect Of continual intrusion from
the wild, uncultivated little girl and her ugly
doc so he renlied s"Ihis il my library and