The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1880-12-23

s.s..-. - .s.ss.
whole eoesewSsl me gxs, htgAtaa-
loon beyond, the Aubusson tapestry
under foot there, with the wreaths OF
pale roses and ribbons ON its pale sun
set-green ground, the rosy satin and
the lace draperies stretching over the
windoVs,swhoee light was shut out for
tie s6fE Raeam OF the wax tapers swing
ing Ia heir china cups and golden
chains, the paintings and statues. the
wonderful chinas and crystals. and the
fowers-the whole room itself like .
gay vignette ON porcelain. and this
scarlet-clad beauty just outside. Then.
tooy tho conservatory In the vista, .
p1aAesof little less than fairy splendor
in It's lamps and palms and oranges
and blossoms; and the magnifcence of
the dining-room, with its carved
and curtained wainscot, its shining
side-boards, and its table heavy with
gold and silver, with all rare viands,
and with clusters of wine-glasses, the
colors of the flowers themselves. There
she was now, taking that Venetian gem,
of decanter from q servant, and her.
self pouring wine for an old Senator.
who had perhaps already had too much.
Here came parcel of gold laced Off
osrs. flushed and gay and handsome.
What did she mean by urging that old
port on that half-tipsy boy among them,
while the others laughed. and tested?
Harold was not ordinarily troubled
with scruples; but this seemed to. IN
to pass the limits of q jest, and Ia ~
perienced sense of relief as he saw .
lady approach in the shadow Of the cur
tain, and. placing her hand ON his arm.
lead the boy away. rGowned in gleam-
ing white satin, ber shining shape
crossed&hat scarlet AlAGoS IKE The pAes-
ing Of amoonbeam, and knoWing who
it MS, and thinking she might have
troahle, Harold followed; but It was
only to find Nina alone in the gray par
lor. the boy having laughed her cup OF
bouilaon TO -seoFn and left her out. Of
hand. sra. sA W
"lsn't ittoo bade'' she said. with q
laugh that was half a sigh. after all.
"He asked me If was q temperance
lecturer, and called this delicious bouill-
on .slops.' Will you have itp''
'.Where have you been all day." he
said. setting down the cup.
'Oh! I am on duty on this side. We
are all stationed by plan of battle; but
most of my battalion have deserted to
the other rooms. Isn't this q lovely one?
1t almost units a person for quiet life
at home, these gay nights and days. 1t
in it,
1t was lovely room. 1t tempted all
HarolGs love of ease and luxury. The
gray velvet on the floor, draping the
walls, covering the cushioned divans.
weorin9 q frosty bloom under the silver
chandeliers. the delicate carved jades
and ivories, and spars, the one white
winged marble, it seemed somehow as
if Nina herself had taken shape from
all these pure, pearly shadows. He
looked through the cleaning arches
that led from room to room, and saw
the scarlet-clad end golden-crowned
beauty standing there, with the ruby
glass suspended in her hand as she Of
fered it to some new guest, and q
strange shudder stole over him. I'm
just as it might be. for that single mo-
ment the one of the two girls was like
picture of the incarnation of sin and
the other of innocence. He remem-
bered the icy morning, q few weeks
ago. when he had seen Nina in
her swansdown mantle holding up
a sheaf of wheat against the blue
sky and hundred belated birds
lowering round it, with whir-
ring wings aud chirruping cries,
and he turned and looked at Nina
with a piercing gaze again, before
which her soft eyes fell. till the bushes
streamed up to meet the lashes; and as
he gazed the knowledge came slowly
swelling up in Harold's heart and soul
that, whatever attraction dark and
glowing beauty and luxurious surround
ings had had for his senses, it had
been for his senses alone, and that
the love of his life had suddenly
sprung full grown End winged for an
eternal fiight-so eternal that now, in
the first moment of its recognition, he
could no more tell if it had ever had
beginning than if it would ever have an
end. So white, so fair, 80 sweet. so
pure--was it possible that he had been
blind to it all for years? So white, so
fair, so sweet, SO pure-was it possible
that he could win her? Would she take
the poor remnant he had to give-his
jessSesse eps.isee? For one brief mo-
ment Harold Hartley felt pangs of pun.
ishment that seemed to have lasted for
Ao %Alt Il II
he still gazeG at her. But he was not
one to be long daunted, either by his
own unworthiness or by the cruelty Of
fate. In . heartbeat or two he was
himself again, and he plunged in. aware
that, even if she would have none OF
him now, it gave him the vantage
ground of her compassion for the
future.
II am glad" he said, "that you are
not at rest in this life. 1t is different
life that wish you to share. Nina, il
it impossible" And then little hand
stole into his, and he led her away into
the palm-shadows of the conservatory.
..Ah! what . fool have been!" he was
saying, exultantly, as he bent over her.
"Why did never know that l loved
you before?"
II always felt you did," she was
murmuring in reply. II always knew,
you would-if not here. then hereafter.
For never remember the time when
did not low your -.
"And this New Years Day. - he said,
sis the gateway Of . new life for both
of US. All! with Gods help, what q
life, my darlingr'- Prescott
Spoford, in N. r. Independessk.
Honesty the Best Policy.
Slim Nick was arraigned before Z
Justice OF the Pexce on . charge o.