Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1876-12-23

| hlled With teams and nylO2 SlclgnS, Wnose pe''
tinkled merriy 10 the frosty air. People wer'
hurrying TO and fro with big parcels IN the
arms aod MYSTERIOUS, important looks 10 thel
! faces Groops of children almost danced alont
| the streets 10 their gee, and the scene was on'
that noue but misanthropc could gaze OF
without feeling better and happier.
| just at this time, whun the day was dooe
| and the few sentluel stars were beg,nnlog tc
shine 10 the sky, aud as the answering CLEAN
| Of the city lamps begau to appear, Ray Irattoro
aod Edith passed along the street and entered
ber dwelling. few minutes more and the
TWO were seated before u glowing fire, aud az
interview had commenced that Was destined Il
change tho current of two lives.
I wish I could describe the affair as 1t actu
ally happened, but must confess my inability.
| ouly know that Ray Tratfurd plead az only a
mau could who was trying to win the woman
be loved, and only as man could VINO had
placed his all upon the hazard OF the die. AL
10 vain. Lady Edith was greatly moved. Her
suffused eyes and trembling lips showed that,
but her resolution never waved. Wonan
sometimes gaius strength from witoessng sui
ferlny, and though it wrung her heart she
wcu not yield.
| do believe you care for me. he said.
L do, uy answer must bs the same she
responded. | can never marry you.
Ii you we're certain Of my constant love
thr ugh all lite, il there were no oppostloo, u
I were az good as some of your ardent admir-.
els, be said bitterly, would you marry me theu
| DO not krow, | canuot tell.
He came close to W h ere she was and gazed sad
~ 10 her eyes Lsteu he said: cauuol believe
thar y.u will seud NE trou you forever. Ii L
20 away from you ow, we will never meet
for good and ALL 1t res.s with you. Judge
for me.
| caunot, she cried. tears dropping fast from
her eyes. Ii is cruel 10 you to subi:c, me- to
such test. Ii you Care for me, as you say
you do. leave me.
He lurned away with 40 angry troWn, and
walking into the hall, vot his coat and hat, but
retur ed again to the pa!lor. She had never
stirred, aud as he saw the graceful ly curved
figure and the tender lace great fear came
upon him-lhat he was looking his last upoo
her, A short struggle, and be commanded Ills
voice and said: | leave you, but l will hope,
like the deSpalring gamester. against every
chance Wall you promise me one thioR
[ will. if | can perform IT, she replied. the
color slowly stealing back 10 her marble cheek.
Well, he said, / do believe you like me more
than YOU care TO tell. [ want you TO promise.
if you reIeat, that yau will send me note to
niubt. for tomorrow leave my native land.
If a better thought or truer impulse should To-
ducc you to recall me, then never man Will
hail Christ's birthday as | will, or viii
thapk Him more for such gift as yourself. |
will hope against hrpe and wait untl the MD
night chimes. Good bye, and as he spoke be
bowed low, rapidly left the room, aud went
out. with despair in his breast aud hell In bis
heart.
Hours passed on, aud still Lady Filth had
not moyad 10 the chair Her eyes were fixed
10 dreamy manocr Oh the 6irkvriog fire. and
her thoughts were FIR away.
She was aroused by the entrauce OF her
Younger brother, who came 10 like tornado,
and brought all the boisterousness OF an uu'
Hagped school boy with him. he was oVer,
A,wing with animal spirits, aud soou reused
bis sister from her sad thoughts. tie told Ger
of his plans for the holidays, OF h's presents
and then suddenly became sllent and sat ollok-
Jog at the fire. His sister watched tor some
tune the owsh look OF wisdom 10 his quaint
face, which she we'll kue" always por'ended
mischief. What are you thinking OF, Charley
she said.
III tell you will you promise to do it?
Ii can will.
Solemnly he said.
Solemnly, aud she nodded her head de-
cisively.
Well, sister, want you to 60 90 lark
with me.
A lark, she added; what is that
Oh. buthcr. | want you to dress up as an
old bcgrar wonau, aud beg for vctuals. l
knnw you can do II.
r. the boy mad she asked, 10 amazcme0t.
No, am not, aod you promised me faith
flu ". Besides there's no reason why you
sbunldn't I'll go aloug with you; Iii protect
vou he cxc!ai med, drawing his fifteen year old
frame to its full height.
But what would ma sayI And, besides,
snch mad scheme as that IS ont OF the ques'
ton.
Il isn't mad scheme, he retorted;, | just
want to have little tuo. Nobody will kooW
il: and. besides, old uncle Tony will 20 with US;
Well, if uocle Tony goes | vii 90, TOO, SAID
the lady, aud she wai'ed patiently until Char
lev brought back the old butler, who had lived
in he house for years before she was boro.
q d upc!e Tony was mortified st the idea,
but finally agreed to go. He never could re
fuse his young master anything; and So Lay
Edi b went up stairs TO prepare her DISGUISE
know it was very improper proceeding
for her an aware that it was great tom
boy enterprise. aud that 1t is very improbable
bur am writiog true story aud telllug
plain fact in plain way. can imagine that
the young lady was very unhappy at her lover
leaving her, and the m'rc sho thought OF 1t
the more desperate she became, and she got
toto such reckless state that she was ad OF
any diversion to change the curreut OF her ae
ou,ipg Conscience. Besides, she WAS excited
at the idea Of trying her powers on the rid
stage, and 10 her teverish condition she never
stopped to thiuk, but acted from blind i'm
pulse she could DOT resist. Any one who has
kept his eyes open 10 this world Is oever sur
rr'sed at any,hiog q woman does. Wheo We
attempt to solve them hey at Us badly: AS
| was saying, am only telling y plaiu history
not anal, zIog motives.
Ina short time Lady Edith re-eotered the
room. aud the two stared at her 10 wonder.
The get up was perfect, aod by the magic
aid of pa,ut. stuffiug and ao cid and ragged
gown, the fair young girl stood transformed
into decreplt, pa s'ed crole.
| M hands in traO and