Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1872-07-19
SELECTED STORY
from Our Own Fireside.
ARTHUR CAMRON'S CHRISTMAS
GIFT.
BY ELIZA B. PARKER.

II cneerful IRE was burning IN tne pleas
ant library of "Camron Hail." the country
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 a cloud
of crimson silk drapery. The room was
lofty, and furnished in style that did JUS
tice to the taste and generosity of the bache-
lor owner The walls from the rich car
peted floor, on whose downy luxuriance the
hastiest step sank noiselessly, to the vaulted
ceiling, were filled with valuable books and
rare paintings. Soft lounges and easy
chairs were abundant, but Arthur Cannon
strobe impatiently up and down the room,
seemingly insepsible to their attractions.
Il cannot willingly submit to such an in
truder at Cannon HalI.' he said, picking
up an open letter which had fallen at his
feet "True, I 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 forgiveness, and, dying, bequeaths her
child to me. A little girl, too What am
l to do with the little foreigner in this bach
elor abode Of mine The child will be here
tonight" glancing at the open letter. "a
Christmas gift she comes, suppose. Well
kind Heaven save me from any more such, !"
and Arthur Cannon, bachelor of thirty
two, walked from the room in search of bis
housekeeper, an aged woman who had re-
ceived him wailing infant, from his dying
mothers arms.
Prudence" he said, seating himself by
her cheerful fire, ''the peace of this estab-
lishment is about to be brought to an end.
You remember Grace Clinton, the yellow.
haired, blue-eyed girl, whom you used to
hold responsible for all the misdeme anors of
my youth 2"
"Well I do, and good reason have I 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 mar
rying like Christian gentleman. What of
her, Arthur? Does the deceitful jade want
your fortune now 2"
'tNo, Prudence. You must not be so Sc.
we're in denouncing the poor weak woman,
for she is dead" and tremor of pity shook
his manly voice; ''and has left child, a
little girl of twelve years old, to my care.
What am [ to do with her? How am | to
rear her p
"Send her to some asylum" said the old
woman, her withered cheek lit up with in
dignation 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 AS much
as | dislike the idea Of having female do
INVESTIGATED at Cannon Hall, I cannot refuse
to receive the orphan child of Grace Clifton,
so you can arrange the little chambe next to
this for her occupation, and engage that
pretty little niece Of yours, Bette Garter, to
wait on her. That is all we can do for the
present. And now you can prepare to re.
ceive her, for the letter informs me she will
arrive tonight" But even as he spoke,
the hall bell rang, and the servant ushcred
into the library little form enveloped IN
shawls, followed by great black dog
They had been committed to his care by
gentleman at the door, who had Immediately
departed. The aged house keeper, although
in no pleasant mood knew her duty to her
masters guest, and promptly proceeded te
unwrap the wee form of the child, while Ar
thur stood by-a picture of despair. Re
covering himself, he welcomed the child
and placing chair near the fire, inquired
if she was very cold.
mo, sir, 1 am never very cold. Nam
ma used to say I had too much fire in m.
veins to feel cold, but I know Carlo is, fo
that wicked man made him ride outside al
the way here" and she caressipgly drew tn
wet and snowy head of the huge black ami
NAL in her lap. AS she did SO, she turnet
a pair of black, glistening orbs full upol
her future protector, who thought her darl
face at once the most peculiar and attractive
ly beautiful he had ever seen. The slight
graceful form was not larger than child o
seven, but perfect in symmetry. Her com
plexion was SO unusually dark, that but TO
the curve of the thin lips, and shape OF tn
small, acqueline nose, it might have bee
supposed that a dark tide flowed in her veins
Around her swarthy face fell an abundanc
of dark, glossy ringlets, that reached far bt
low her waist but it was her large, dar
eyes, those glorious windows of the sou
that gave her face its greatest charm.