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

and grieving over her lost money. At length
the narrow lofty front, under whose roof-tree our
weary bird had her perch, came in view, and,
In response to Cicely's ring, the severely proper
Priscilla Ann opened the door
oh, it's you. Miss Wild, is it? I thought
you int nded TO dine out to-day. 1 know Miss
Rogers thought 30, for she said all the boarders
was out, and there'd be no dinner TO get So
there's nobody at home but me, and I've got
It's OF no consequence, Priscilla Ann" said
Cicely; 81 shall do very well; lunched heartily
my plans were unexpectedly altered -
But Priscilla was gone, and Cicely commenced
the long ascent to her perch wishing she was in
reality bird, that wings might save her weary
feet. Arrived at last, she found the fireout; the
vesting herself OF her holiday attire she plunged
into its black depths, and, with SCOT on her nose
and grimy hands, began laying the foundations
anew with the utmost care, tor well she knew
the perfdiousness of the little imp, kindlng
with brilliant haste, and then going out without
the slightest provocation. Needing more coal,
Cicely stepped into the hall, when, as she
reached the coal-box, the sound OF the opposite
door sent her flying into a closet, from whose
dark depths she had the pleasure Of beholdng
Mr.. Blanchard de Voltage, exquistely dressed,
coming out of his room and descending the
stairs, humming an opera air as he went. The
closing door, four flights below, told of his de-
parture. % wonder where he has gone ?''
thought Uicely, as she went back with her coal;
"to morrow morning shall certainly begin to
encourage him. Heretofore have parted his
advances, but now l am free, and can do as 1
please"
The fire well started, the next thought was
dinrer. The early breakfast, and the intangi-
bic lunch of the Great Mogur, had left an ach-
ing void behind. Priscilla Ann must on no sc-
count be disturbed, and the approaching dark
ness forbade any extended foraging expedition
but, remembering a little family supply-stOTe
around the corner, Cicely donned her old cloak
and hat, and. stealing down the stairs, sailed
small SupplV-
store was closed, no doubt on account of Christ
as-day, and wandering on, block after block,
she at length found a brilliantly-lighted shop,
where she made her little purchases, with a
crushing sense of their insigniicance as compar-
ed with the grandeur of the magnate who mea-
sured them out. Having obtained from this dig
nitary a quarter pound of coffee, the same of
sugar, loaf of bread, can of oysters, and a
small tin pail, to serve as coffee pot, Cicely got
into a car, and seated herself with her arms en-
numbered with brOwn-paper parcels. BY this
time it was quite dark, and she was anxiously
waiting for the familiar corner of X--street,
when the car stopped; there was a block in front
two cars of the track, and a carriage overturn,
ed at the crOss-street. Sitting there patiently
holding her bundles. Cicely looked out through
the glass at the line of vehicles alongside.
Presently there was a movement, then another
stop, and this time an elegant carriage met her
gaze, so close that the faces of the occupants
were distinctly visible in the glare of the adJoin
ing street-a lamp. The tin pail dropped at her
feet, and the oysters followed as she recognized
Blanchard de Voltage and Miss Van Airytop, the
very Wilhemina whose aquiline nose and pale
blue eyes were her especial aversion. With a
fixed gaze, Cicey watched the smiles, glances,
and gay conversation, within the carriage, a
Christmas pantomime, indeed, although not the
one she had planned. Evidently an intimate
relation existed between the two; and BlaI CHI
ards eyes, oh, perfdy. rested upon his compan-
ion with the same expression, the very identical
devotion, which Cicely had so often seen beam
ing upon herself. AT this point, Miss Van Airy
top archly shook her blond ringlets, and some
thing flashed. What was it? Could it be? 1t
urag ~ hn mis- Of H..
rings she had seen at Aladdin's Palace, in
Blanchard's hand. The carriage NOV ed on. and
all the bundles fell to the floor, Miss Wild
sought for her handkerchief andfurtively wiped
YEARLY ringing the bell, Cicely endured, as
well as she could, the impatient glance of Pris-
ella Ann and her inquistiye comment. 80 Well,
now, Miss Wild, if il amt you again! And with
all them bundles, too !" Climbing the stairs she
unlocked her cell door and entered; the fire was
out, Of course, and no more kindling left i'm the
box. Another encounter with Priscilla Ann was
clearly impossible, and, after a reckless sacri-
fee OF all her Letter paper and pamphlet newell,
hope revived. Filling the tin pail with water
from the pitcher, Cicely removed the cover and
endeavored to insert the impromptu coffee-pot
into the top of the stove; but a puff of smoke
repealed her, and the pail was left to thaw on
the outside, while the oyster IAN was attacked
with penknife. Two jerks and a wrench, one
blade broken; two more jerks another gone. A
fruit knife next fell sacrifice and two pairs of
scissors were famed for life. but the oyster ca n
remained unharmed. Some book recommended
a red-hot poker, but when, after much labor,
the poker was heated, it refused to burn any
thing but Cicely's arm, where a fragment of
merino and a portion OF skin responded gayly to
Binding up the smartng wrist as we'll as she
could, Cicely gave up the oysters, and sat down
to wait for the water to boil. Six, half-past,
and seven, sounded from St.-Bonte's slender
spire, and still that water continued mildly
tepid at last the famished little ool-mistress
poured in the coffee, and after gentle simmer,
delicacy of dry bread. It was not good. Even
the Marchi0ness, with her make believe very
much" could not have relished it Sitting ON
the door, with begrimed face and smarfing
wrist, Cicely caught sight of her rival, the
sketch of the morning. Snatchng it from the
table, she flung it into the fire and watched it
membrance of the angry words she had written
to Seth came over her, she laid her tired head on
a chair and burst into tears,
knock at the door aroused her, and unlock.
ing it, Priscilla's voice was heard.
Austin, believe
paused until pair OF strong arms received her
in the deserted drawing-roOm
Seth seemed much excited, for, without no.
ncing her appearance, or commenting upon her
my invention, Cicely, the firm have examined
It. 1t Is to be patented, and am partner from
fns what 90 ySg say to that for Christ
The great tidings proved only sober truth; the
absent minded, engrossed inventor had reaped
the fruits OF his hard brain-work, and a bright
future opened before him.
81 kept 1t all a secret, for wanted to surprise
you, and spare you the anxiety of suspense he
said, after the first eager questions and answers.
." spoiled your Christmas dear, but here is
trifle to make you forget all about it.b
The uihe was q box containing q pair of
fringed diamond earrings, more superb than
any Cicely had seen.
80 Seth! And have nothing to give you,"
said the "nut-brown mayde." with fearful ewes,
and a heart full of repentance.
l am come to beg for il. You can give me a
dear little wife. See take her, in spite of
herself; and who shall say this is not, after all,
q merry Cbristmas?"
CONSTANCE FKNIMoRE WooLsoN.