The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1875-03-31
UNDER THE MISTLETOE.


said the stately Gertrude Ponsonby, to
her gay young sister, as she was ar
ranging the decorations for Christmas
party, on a bright, cold December
day.
Il certainly am, Queen Gertrude.
Have you any objection?" asked Win.
fired, de,nnreIy, looking up in the face
of her elder sister, whom she dearly
loved, devoutly admired and unscrup-
ulously teased.
II do--well--l do think 1t is rather
what shall / say ?-childish, unless
it is somewhat 100 fast for our style of
guests" replied the first speaker.
Winifred burst into merry laugh.
"Poor darlingl Refned! Perfect
pity" she said, throwing her arms
round her sisters neck, and kissing
her like spoiled child that she was.
"Don't be alarmed; Louis St. Aubyn
shall be duly Informed that the magic
circle is reserved for fast damsels and
for children, and that Miss Ponsonby
has no connection with either party,
There, only sec how beautiful itlools
And by the way, l asked old Stanford
to find white camelia for your hair,
queen, and lie promised to rummage
the conservatory for said blossom.
Will that plead my par'lon p she add
ed, coaxingly.
"You are q provoking little crea-
ture; and heaven bless tho man who
ventures on such a tresome, wilful
darling" returned the elder sister, re-
turning the girls kisses with pro-
tecting fondness.
"Ah, he would certainly. be insane
to attempt il, in the first instance"
returned the girl, dancing off in glee.
And Gertrude, grandly beautiful as
she was, almost gave the palm of at
traction, with generous though doubt
ing sigh, to- the petite and piquante
fairy. 3.l +
They were the daughters OF $id-
owed mother, but in easy circumstan-
ces, that enabled them to live in sim
pie elegance, and mingle with the
pleasant circle in their neighborhood
| while the residence of q bachelor
brother Of their flther's,S within q
short distance of their villa, gave al
ways .he sanction of host to their
entertainments when they required his
presence. tsv
Within the last twelve months very
pretty place in the neighborhood had
been purchased by a gentleman named
st. Aubyn, widower with only one
son.
TIE father was great invalid; but
Louis had become so completely do
mesticated at "The Larches," (Mrs.
Ponsonby's residence), and his father
was so charmed ~with the high-bred
mother and pretty daughters resident
there, that the families had formed a
closer intimacy than is soRetimes the
growth of years. %"
Still if there were any tenderer feel
ing than friendship on Louis st. An-
byn's part for his fair young neigh
bors, on one appeared to decide for
which of the girls it was entertained I;
and it would have been difficult for
the closest observer to say whether the
stately blonde Gertrude or The
piquante brunette Winifred engrossed
the larger portion Of the young mans
attention or thoughts, At any rate,
neither of the parents appeared to OBJ
ject to the probable consequences of
such an intimacy. Perhaps, as usual,
they were blind to the feelings spring
ing up before their eyes.
The evening arrived.
Gertrude was nearly ready; but
though the beautiful hair was arranged
in its most becoming style she stood in
a sort of dissatisfied pause before che
wal glass.
"This horrid cN14son flower will
never dop she murmured fretfully.
MY pale blue silk can never stand
such vulgar contrastW
And she glanced despairingly round
at the fairy dress-all trimed withheld
icate white lace, that accorded so well
with her pale skin and soft bloom.
1t was very trying, doubtless, for
the only resource from the crimson
camelia was an artificial flower which
had already done duty at two balls
and dinners.
But there was no alternative, and
with deep sigh, she seized the French
spray of lilies of the valley, which
was her pis aIier, and was in the very
act of raising it to her hair, when
Winifred burst joyously in.
"See, Gortyl here's a lovely white
camelia7-with such leaves l, never
saw anything to equal them! There
be quick See, | am dressed already %
And very charming the little crea-
| ture looked in.her amber and black cos