Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1879-11-20
WHEN CHRISTMAS COMES.
BY mo CHURCHILL.

BY mo CHURCHILL.
"A sunlit sky, indeed" Miss Mans
field said, as she threw up the sasl
aud looked out. "Even a breath o
this pure crisp cool air is enough t,
stir ones blood anew il | were +,
girl would rush through my break
fast, and then for gallop over tn,
hills /! As it is" she continued
glsncing toward her mirror, 81 thinl
| will mount Slocum for a decoroul
canter. Come, Gruff" she called t
her dog.
"Bonnie Christmas, Miss" cried
Mrs. Finch, as the lady passed ths
door. "It's the 6rst holiday
ever seen her went OUT" she added
to herself.
SIS it Christmas ? / bad for a mo
ment forgotten" Then, hesitatina
slightly, she countermanded the or,
der for her horse and retraced hel
steps, the clinging folds of her rich
habit seeming to add sudden weight
to her figure, and slowhess to hel
movements.
"Thar / allus goes and does
something with my meddlesome
ness" groaned Mrs. Finch, "now the
not the hull day will nobody see her.
Miss Mansfield returned to her
sunny parlor and sat drearily down
The dog, Somewhat used to disap.
pointments of this kind, stretched
himself sullenly before the CRATE and
expressed his displeasure by blink
ing at the fire. The pretty ormolu
clock on the mantle took up a dole
ful textbook, in place of its musical
tinkle, and the tap OF leahess shrub
against the window pane was like
the continued dropping of complain
ing tears.
In the street, all was blithe and busy
enough. Through the handsomely
trimmed hedge, that presented It's
green barricade against the too en-.
croaching SHOWS, could be seen fit
ting to and fro of happy children, and
their happier elders. Bright new
sleds,gorgeous toys, the like of which
eyes before had never seen; great
dolls, with rainbow tints on hair and
cheek; rosy faces wrapt about with
gay muffiers,and chubby hands thrust
proudly into red mittens, gave evil.
dence enough of Kris Kringle's taste
in coloring. And it were well, since
the divine hand had painted so Clio
riously the day.
All this prodigality of blessing and
of brightness seemed to rouse the
listless locker on somewhat, for she
changed her position little and cast
a thoughtful look about her. Luxury
was evidently her sure possession,
and its accompanying ease at her
command, yet she was scarce con
tent "This is day of gifts" she
soliloquized, "yet | do not know OF
any one in the world from whose
hand | would care to receive, nor do
| know of anything it would give me
pleasure to possess-at least, any
tangible thing; neither are there any
on whom l would love to bestow
benefits in the spirit OF this so called
blessed season. l might. it is true,
treat Mrs. Finch to new French caps
and comforts, but she can purchase
all she wants, and more and l might
adorn Gruff with a fresh blue ribbon,
but his gold collar seems to answer
just as WE'LL and she laughed slight.
ly, and coldly, one had thought But
she rose nevertheless, saying. sHow
is it, old fellow p as she tied the fill
let OF silk around the dogs neck. The
animal turned aud licked the caress-
ing hand she shook her white fing
ers impatiently. 'Fie,' she said, you
and / are in our dotage, old Gruff.
A richly framed mirror hung oppo.
site; she went toward it, looping fat
hack the window drapery as she
passed, lest even its web-like film
might too kindly soften the searching
light. Then she surveyed herself. Il
was naughty face she saw, but one
of exceeding fairness; no wrinkle
marred that pure brow, nor line Of
care lurked about the firm mouth
and the jetty HAIR, bound securely
back and shot through with a silver
arrow, held no suspicion OF gray mes,
in its smooth, rich folds.
YES she said, Il ee,'.-grown in
, to the habit of communipg with her
SELF, since she was so oft her best arc
only company-'it my life had beer
only Joy, l would count the time BY
summers; if it had been utter dreari
ness and desolation, / would but com
pute its winters; taking it all intt
account, / will reckon it years-eigh
and twenty years-yet / have hai
my Sahara was but eighteen,
year of days, ten times repeated, +,
whole decade /! A tract indeed o
unproductive, sandy plain
She threw herself upon her chair
and was lost again 10 retrospect.
Miss Mansfield had not been borr
to wealth or greatness I; her well re
membered youth had been spent IN
distant village, and a mesgre incom,
but Ill supplied the many famil,
wants. Yet she was happy, light ant
free, till just on the threshold of con
sciously awakened womanhood lif
suddenly lost it's zest; and befor,
she had attained her majority, boil
father and mother died. An uncle
who had spent his strength abroad
Just then returned, built himself
magnificent home in his native town
took her-his only sisters only chill,
ON two years trip of pleasure
seeking,an on the very eve of home
coming died, leaving her the abso
lutte owner of his vast possessions
His name 'Radcliff,' was cut deep il
the stone work OF the solid gateway
aud on the door-post of the mansion
Here the heiress had lived for 81
years in solitary splendor. Mrs Fine
was a comfortable type of house
keeper, and the gardener was an al
fist in bis way. Each held part i
her daily life, and each Wed with tn
ether to form the integral portion {
her whole existence. She had man
acquaintance, but no friends ]; SD
held an occasional stately reception
and made now and then a convention.
call. The old people, who had