Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1873-02-06

! Christmas night deepening and deepen
| ing, and no star yet venturing out INTO
| the chilling air. Yet we fingered at every
step, thinking nothing of the cold. Marc
was telling me of that strange old Mrs.
Duncan, who, ever since l can remem-
| Der, has lived alone at the old Priory, on
the other side of the hill OF course long
ago had heard the story of her cruelty
to her step-son, and of the quarrel be-
tween them when his father died and left
all his wealth Internationally to her, the
| will never even mentioning his only son;
but Marc was telling me other things
how Mrs. Duncan always sought his adj
vice now on the most tri1ing matters of
business; how often she sent for him
when she was in London; how she was
now i'll at Torquay, and he was going to
her in few days.
"When lawyers get one good client
they think their fortunes made, Marc,
don't they?" asked.
81 cannot quite answer for lawyers in
general being SO weak, dear; but one
lawyer in particular is. ! feel my fortune
made. My only want now is-some one
to share it.
He was laughing, of course, and I
laughed too.
at is too great for you to spend alone,
them"
at will be when I've earned it. l in
tend to have such beautiful little home.
| A white house, with roses and Jasmine
| all over it, and a garden full of wonder
| full scents and unexpected corners Just
| like your own home, Nina. And Of
course shall want some one to share it
with me-"
"Your grandmother" suggested.
''No, dear My venerable ancestress is
strong conservative, declining to leave
her ingle; and can you expect her primi-
| tive residence to hold me when l am
great MANI"
"You remember the inquisitive bells of
Stepney?"
"You want to know when that will be,
do you? With your usual far-sighted-
ness, you would insinuate that | am
| counting my chickens too soon. Never
mind! / feel that | shall win success at
last. Faint heart, as you are aware, never
| won fair lady; and as l mean to win her,
my heart is very strong. That is the one
great hope that leads me on, Nina.
Stand here moment, dear, out in the
| quiet night with me, and tell me that hope
| shall have its fulfillment."
We were at the gate then, and | heard
| papa's step behind us on the frosty road.
A new nervousness came upon me in my
great happiness, and / hurriedly put my
| fingers on the latch. MARC laid his COOL
firm hand upon them, whispering, very
tenderly.
II will not keep you here, my dear one;
l will not urge you for your answer now.
Give it me tomorrow night-on Christ
mas-night. All, little Nina, let it be kind.
have loved you with all the strength of
my heart. You have been the one bright
| hope of ali my life. Let the pleasant
home of which l dream be mine. Give
me the little wife seek, to make it bright
and beautiful"
| Very quietly we walked together up the
garden, but when we reached the lighted
hall l ran away up stairs. After tea we
had a long, happy evening Of Christmas
games and music, and Marq seemed to
lead everything, and was the widest and
the merriest of us all. Not till the bells
had chimed the Christmas in did we think
of separating. Then the children were
sent to bed, and Marc stood at the hall
door, lingering over his goodnight, the
frosty breath of the newborn day filling
the hall, and we laughing and shivering
as we stood there He loitered so long
that they all left US; then gave him my
| hand that l might follow them.
81 wonder whether | shall reach home
safely" he unused, holding it while he
| looked round in the darkness. NINA,
| let me take what light l can. Let me
have another look into the face love-"
Moving back into the light, my cheeks
burning, stood and smiled my last good
bye; and outside in the gloom Marc
raised his hat and brightly answered me.
Our wreath, he had said-Marq's and
among Eleanor's rare and brilliant flow
ers. The children and I-reaching the
church first of all the congregation
walked up the aisle, whispering how
beautiful the glistening leaves and ber-
ries looked when the slanting sunrays
touched them. Then took my place
in the choir, and in little struggling
groups the people passed under the porch,
bring ing in the Christmas sunshine on
their faces. Old Mrs. Gotto came at last,
on Marq's arm, and she stood a moment
Just within the door, looking around
upon the decorations. Marq looked up
too, but his eyes were very grave, and [
fancied that his thoughts were far away
Then, in hush which seemed to me a
breathless hush of joy-we sat among
the winter flowers in CLEANS of sunshine,
while my father read us the old, sweet
story, WHICH mas ndllOWcu LnlS udy TO-
every age to come. And the glad words
of the anthem filled the church as if we
too, in joy and thanksgiving, would join
the angels hymn to-day.
We had been home only few minutes,
and were standing round the fire warm
ing our feet, when Marq came in. won
dered to see him, because he never came
to us on Christmas day until evening, and
| especially wondered When-as he shook
hands with us all-he wished us a merry
Christmas, forgetting he had done so early
in the morning.
II am sorry to say my Christmas greet
ing heralds my good bye" he said, speak
ing rather nerveusly. 'Mr. Galloway,
what do you think has happened?"
Of course papa said he could not think
at all.
cold Mrs. Duncan has died at Torquay,
and-and--left me her heir"
''Nonsense" papa said, promptly.
''I on joke too gravely, Marq"
"But it is not joke. sir; it is simple
fact"
''But she has son, Mr.. Gotto," began
Tom, staring into Marq's face.
"No; but her husband had one"
''And has she left her husbands wealth
away from her husbands SOM" asked,
breathing very quickly.
Marc simply answered YES" without
looking at me as he spoke. "Since that
quarrel, nearly twenty years ago." he
added, as papa questioned him farther,