The daily gazette., 1880-02-05
THE sMTSTEEToE.

Elise Efingham, as she turned over q
heap Of evergreen which the gardener
had brought In for the purpose Of deco
rating the dining room, which In the ev-
ening was 10 be the scene of ball, to
which all the people in the neigbborhood
were invited TO celebrate Else's nine
teenth birthday, and the eve Of q new
year. .-A
at is certainly handsome piece, my
DEAR" replied Mrs. Ehingham.
"Ab, Elise," said younger girl, with
mischievous look, what will Mr., Man.
ley say to a mistletoe boughp am
afraid he will be too shocked TO stay IL
the ROOM"
"How foolishly you talk, Emily2"saii
Elise. "One would think that Mr.. Man
ley could not enjoy laugh as we'll as
anyone else"
aAnyhow," interrupted Mrs. Efing-
ham, II strictly forbid Its being placed
IN this room. It is only suited for the
kitchen. The rude romps and jokes to
which 1t gives rise are quite unfit for
young ladies'"
"But, mamma, may have It put over
the supper tablep" pleaded Elise. II can
not do any harm there, and may lead to
some fun"
Mrs. Effingham had no objection to
| such an arrangement and accordingly
the branch Of mistletoe was suspended
just over the middle OF the we'll filled
supper table.
The Effinghams were people of some
importance In their neighborhood, Mr..
Ehingham being man OF wealth. They
had only two children, Elise and Emily,
the latter of whom was just IA years of
age.
| Mr.. Louis Manley was clerk In Mr..
Efinghain's Office, and as he was we'll
connected and Of most unexceptiona-
BILE character, he had been pretty con-
slant visitor at Efingham Lodge.
He was very handsome and quiet In
his manners, indeed, many thought him
too sedate. He never fiirted with any of
the numerous young ladies who beset
him with attentions, and seemed almost
Indifferent to Elise herself, the prettiest
and the richest girl In the neighbor-
hood.
The dining room, being the largest
room in the house, was set apart for the
dancing exclusively. An adjoining apart.
ment was to be used as promenade
and retreat for those who were tired or
| preferred sitting. Is
Elise was delighted with the arrange
ment, and had scarcely finished the
decorations in time to make her toilet.
She was standing before the glass, de-
batting what ornament she should wear
| in her hair, when the door opened
and Emily entered, carrying fine white
camelia, set off to the best advantage by
two or three Of those glossy green leaves
which so much ''enchance the beauty of
the plant.
"Oh, Emily" exclaimed Elise, "that
Is just the very thing | wanted, but John
had only scarlet enes in the greenhouse,
and could not use any of them with
the pink silk. 1t never occurred to me
that he might get one elsewhere. He
has become unusually thoughtful, has
he not ?"
Emily made no reply; but seemed
much amused as she handed the flowers
to her sister. A flush more rosy than
the hue Of her dress spread itself over
her face and neck as she read on slip
of paper twined about the camelia, the
words
"With l.. MS compliments and con-
gratulations."
"What do you think of that for our
quiet matter of-fact Mr.. Manley ?" said
Emily, bursting into q merry laugh.
al did not think that he had SO much
sentiment in him."
"My dear child, how very foolish you
are gettingr' said Elise "do be sensi-
BILE, and tell me who gave this to you."
81 shall keep you waiting long time,
Mistress Elise, although 1t is your birth
day, if you speak to me in that way"
returned Emily. You are dying to
know all the particulars-how, are you
not? Do confess. All well, / will
not be too cruel" laughed the saucy
child; ''you shall hear all know. The
redoubtable Mr.. Manley was standing
In the conservatory when John was
looking for white camelia, aud when
he could not find one Mr.. Manley said,
"Tell Miss Effingham l will get one for
her if possible" and l suppose he has
found it possible, as here 1t is. Let me
put il In your hair for you."
The flower was fastened in Elise's
soft dark hair, and if the glass received
rather satisfied glance from the young
lady we need not be surprised, for it
certainly reflected a very fair image.
The tea was over, and the dancing
begun, but still there was no Louis Man
ley to be seen. The belle of the even
ing soon found her engagement card
nearly filled, but Louis Manley's name
was not on the list.
So frequently had she danced that il
was not until late that she went into the
adjoining room.
She stood at the door, and looking IN
saw at the further end Louis Manley
hanging over a lady's chair, paying her
the most familiar and marked atten-
tions.
1t was enough for Elise, she made
some excuse to her partner and returned
to the ballroom without going any fur
ther; all her pleasure for the night was
at an end.
The guests went to the supper room
in parties, and when over, Elise slipped
away unseen, and managed to get into
small conservatory that opened by q
glass door into the library where the
refreshments were laid.
The room being brilliantly lighted and
the conservatory dark, Elise amused
herself by watching the couples as they
sauntered in aud out, perfectly aware
that though she could see them they
could not see her.
At last she saw Louis Manley enter
with the lady on his arm, and very
handsome couple they were--a fact that
even Elise could not deny.
They sat themselves Just under the
mistletoe. and with burning indignation
Elise saw Louis Man1ey playfully tan