Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1871-11-04

the glowing cheek, and dainty mouth of thu
charmer beside him. All did 1 not see the
soft little hand that nestled on his arm drawn
closer a. the frosty breeZes blew the heecy
G chestnut curis against his coat, and for one
look at me Kitty had threescore and ten.
But enjoyed il all, and wondered il the trio
behind Us were getting on as well, for Dick
ming on after us. As we turned a sharp cor
ner heard a suppressed exclamation ahead of
me, and looking mp beheld Christie Marstone
vis-d-ris, looking straight through me, appar-
emily, at some one in the rear. Her dilated eyes
and flushed cheeks astonished me; but she
quickly rallied, and after greeting us, said hur-
riedly, in response to Kitty's invitation to join
us, A" can't, m going to grandfather's with a
message" But, dear:e, was just going to
stop at your gate and ask YOU to come up this
evening. We are going to have lots of fun; say
you will" After q moments hesitation she con-
sented, and left us. was somewhat surprised
to see her frequent glances at Mr.. Delamore
while Kitty was speaking, and almost feared,
from the conscious blush and dropping eyelids,
that our sweet Chris was an incipfent firt.
Rollie, too, seemed struck with It, for she dis
appeared he said, &" Dick, my boy, / fear you We
smitten that beauty, whoever she is."-" Ex
actly my query responded Dick, ignoring the
friend ia, Miss Coles?"
Certainly; she is my dearest friend, and I'm
glad you Ike her, for she is Lorely," was Ntty's
"well, 1 must say that either black is very
becoming to her, or she is an uncommonly hand
some girl though L am not so partial to blondes
as my friends there, " affirmed Rollie.
"My friend seemed lost in thought, and /
fancied his ladies fair were rather disguised at
the turn thirgs had taken, and were ready
enough to face hOmeward.
Most had arrived before US, and the remaining
hours of the afternoon were spent in chatting and
music. After tea, Rollie and Kitty started off for
CbTistabel, and was rather amused to hear Mr..
Delamore's offer in the hall to accompany them
"just to even matters coming home, chum-" he
explained. l smiled when they had gone, think
ing he would prove Monsieur de Trop, and fell
to specializing over Chrissie's odd manner in the
after the death of her mOther-some years back
Il took the child close to my heart, for she
had very little sympathy in the cold still house
where, being the only child, she had no com
his books, and her grim aunt, who hadn't a
thought beyond her housekeeping Christa-
bels nature was as quaint and sweet as her
c1nne to an Rt very wTomanly Tthai and she
seemed odd to one who did not understand
the force Of her character. But since the night
OF the Halloween mystery she had seemed
referred to It again in my presence, seeming to
avoid the subject still felt sure that she brood
ed over it. Meditating thus, 1 strolled back to
my coiffure, when kitty's voice started me from
reyery.
She burst into my room, dragging Chrissie
islriy on her feet, and closing the door, clasped
claimed; go, Aunt Jean, Aunt Jean, isn't it
grand-Im so happy-so happy" When / re-
covered my breath held the crazy witch fast,
ter ?" - 'A0 'A~'
!" Oh, do sit down here, and I'll tell you all
about 1t. Chris, come here and hold her
other hand. You see, Auntie, Mr.. Dick tcosld
come with US, and kept asking me about Chris
sic all the way; and when we got to the house
and they were introduced, they acted so
w ln<Al
kept turning red and white, and Mr.. Dick
looked at her in kind of daze. 1t was such
an evident case of love at first sight, that
Rollie and l considered it best to let him es-
eort her, profound Kitty :! /" and they walked
lust ahead of US. Well, as we were coming up
the aveDue-suddenly Mr.. Dick said, SBy
Jove' again, Just as he did this afternoon, YOU
remember; and 1 was about to rejoin him,
when he added, Il have i'll have it, and
looked 50 straight at Chrissie that she dropped
her head on his arm, and L was sure he
must be mad to make love so violently. OF
course we asked him tchat he had Il privately
suspected 1T was Cbrissie's hand, and then
he said that about a month ago he was riding
across the country near here, and on a strange
midnight, so he resolved to stop at the first
house where he saw light, and ask shelter
or further direction. Soon after he came
by was a pale light. Tying his horse, he hur-
ried toward it, and, seeing the door slightly
aJar, was about TO enter, when he saw the fig
9re OF woman with long golden hair, seated
before table with her back to him. AT first
he thought she was praying; but with his usual
love OF adventure he determined to see her
face. So he stepped noiselessly behind her. and
ment she raised her eyes-such hearenIg ewes
he said-and looked at his face in the glass
peeriDg from behind the golden veil OF her
beautiful halr; and, as she looked, not sound
came from her, but every trace of color died
out OF her face, leaving il like marble and
fearing TO brighten her more, he gave reaS-
,uring smile, and quietly withdrew as he came.
Until he was fairly in the saddle again and
some distance on, he did not once think of his
errand, 30 enraptured was he with the beautiful
vision; but he rode on until he came to a village
and finding hotel, stopped long enough for q
few hours rest, and was off at dawn. Since that
time those eyes have followed him in dreams,
and come between him and all duty"
:" Kitty, don't " pleaded Christabel as she
hid her crimson face In my lap.
"Why, darling, I'm Just repeating his own
words, only can't tell it as splendidly as he
did. Well, any way, he never thought about
me locality when Roland asked him to come
mere; ana so when he came on Chissie this
afternoon, her face seemed like a dream to
him, and he could not help that exclamation.
Sun he wasn't at all sure about her yet when
he saw her again, by lamp-light, the res IN
blance was startling. But he fhonght it must
De hls fancy until as we came into the grounds
he looked up suddenly toward the houses, and
II all flashed across his mind in a moment
the large building looming out of the dark
ness, and the smaller one with a light moving
ABOUT IN t-for suppose some of the folks are
prowling around. Chrissie made us hurry into
the house, but promised she would explain her.
part to him by-and-by; and think it would be
so romantic If she would only 60 out into the old
study with him and tell him all about 1t there
Isn't 1t splendid to thinkit was all true after all
Aunt Jean ?' And Kitty paused quite out of
breath. For answer / raised Chrissie's face and
head between my two palms, while asked,
:. And what does my Christabel say to all this
Did she recognize her midnight lover this after
noon ?'
"Yes, Auntie," she responded In a low tone,
. L knew the face the moment / saw il, but |
dared not say word, / knew you would all quiz
me so; and IL all seemed so mysterious TIL he ex.
planned IT. Bnt ii seems as though l must have
known him all this time"
"Well, my darling, hope il will all come
right. L hardly know what to say" But /
had an uncomfortable sense that things were
settled In one direction already. Chrissie had a
new shyness, and seemed reluctant, yet anxious,
to go down stairs. AS We entered the parlor. /
saw our little romance was still a secret among
us five, and would remain so. During a pause
in the games, Chriss!e whispered quietly to me
g Auhtie, Mr.. Delamore is impatient to have
me keep my promise, and Kitty has put il into
his head that the story must be told in that very
room. have agreed, if Kitty and bIr Hay,ion
and yourself will 90 with u.s."
. Go into the library, dear. all of you, and STAY
TIL can slip away unperceived."
Which soon did, and in solemn file, with
mo- cbaH IL ia