The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1881-12-20

eAz..<s n38 N@.14z g - N444tN halt.
Mad0e eI1n9 e0k Wondelingly q re
hsheld de enFve sn6seiv6 eaISwnT s.
some bro1d avente But NJ n,,sls z1.se
her % tine Tor Speculation. He Is6pel7 k0
the ground, and, e she followed ed
her band agaih.
aEhall wait 70 take you back 2" asked
the diver.
Annther Wild laugh.
No; go back 20 your stable Well
come with acarriage and pair Of oul own
il we come q AL. Come, Madge"
And he drew her hurriedly on. Not
up the avenue, which was brilliantly
lighted, bat towards small gate ct some
distance, which led over snowy tract Of
ground quite forsaken and desoIate
The air waa intensely cold; but it was
not that which made the teeth of Madge
chatter and sent the blood tingling
through her veins. A wild excitement,
something akin to his mood, had taken
possession of her. She felt that fate itself
was leading her. Not q word did she
utter in remonstrance when he led her
over . rough piece of field, evidently the
cleared portion of . park, though her feet
were tripped by obstacles and her dress
torn by briars.
Come on he muttered every now
and then, 1--WE must not be late at the
festive scene."' HIT
But at last he relinquished the clutch
of her hand and pointed to great man
sionI sparkling and scintillating with an
hundred windows sglow, which rose ike
brilliant beacon from the dark fir trees
before them.
Ny Christmas show is there-yonder.
Come, little Madge, l promise you twill
be q rare sight"
They walked more quietly now. and
were soon IN graveled path and wind
ing amidst deserted arbors and Winter
stricken psrterres, which were silently
bidihg the hour when Summer should
make them beautiful and bright again.
They were at the rear of the great man.
sion!
He took her by the hand and stepped
cautiously, but as one who understood the
way and had planned the whole.
Presently he stopped short and mutter-
ed an imprecation. They were before an
immens bay window, whose great plate
glass panels must have given full view
of the apartment within, but heavy folds
of silken drspery bid their view.
4" The hussy has failed me,"' muttered
he q nder his laboring breath.
But, as if in answer to the word, the
curtains were swept suddenly aside and
looped completely away, while the win
dow framed for a moment trim wait
ing maids blooming face and buxom fig
are. She made quick gesture with her
hand, as if in signal to some one known
to be waiting without, and promptly re-
tired.
&C In good season them" muttered her
uncle, and guided Madge to an iron seat
in the arbor, which commanded the whole
view.
The girls eyes that had been dilated in
the gloom of the park and the dimness of
the night, were for moment too dazzled
by the glare of brilliant light and the
magnifcence of the picture to see any
thing distinctly She shaded them with
her shaking hand for brief time then
uttered low cry of delight.
g Oh, uncle, what a scene! Can the
que en- have anything grandcr ?" she
whispered eagerly.
For she saw a grand apartment with
silk ZEN hangings and dainty satin and
lace-covered furniture. Without, the air
stuhg with its sharpness and the snow
sparkled its frostiest CLEAN. But there
within flowers bloomcd in great urns and
fruit was heaped in silver baskets, and
lady stood with fair white arms yelled
only by hanging lace. A lady-a girl
not as old as herself, but, oh, heavens!
what a vision of beauty she seemed to
those mistful eyes out there in the cold
and the dimness!
GlOriOnsly beautiful and adorned with
all that enhances the gifts of nature.
Maage lost not CLEAN of the amber
satin folds that swept down from the
slender figure. She saw the grace of
each foamy cascade of priceless lace that
lOOped the satin. She marked the rip
ping line of fire upon the breast, in the
dusky braids of hair and circling in daz-
zling coruscations around each slender
wrist, where the diamonds were clasped
with unstinted care.
But it was for none of these that the
sudden spasm of jealous rage shot through
her heart.
1t was because that lovely face was so
full of light and joy, and bloom, so "a
diaSnt with gladness that had never
known hint of the hardness, the bitter
ness, the wickedness of the world, or of
the dreariness there might be for another
girl to live her life patiently. I#l
With what easy grace the beautiful
maiden swept across the room and sank
lightly among the satin cushions Of the
chair set before table of priceless Flor
entine mosaic and gliding.
The queen taking her seat upon the
throne" said poor, hungry, tired, chilled
Madge, with sob catching her by the
throat, a. she remembered the wooden
chair waiting before the deal table, and
it's pile Of unmade garments, in that frcez-
ing attic chamber.
It seemed like reception, truly. With
turned her head to greet the stately gen
tleEnan who brought casket of cleaning
silver and ivory and laid it in her lap.
She held up her rosy lips fondly for
fathers tender kiss before she swung open
the lid. Madge caught the fiery CLINT Of
rubies and saw the childish glee of the
fair recipient.
Then came . lady, resplendent in velvet
and jewels, who clasped fond arms about
her neck and gave her many kisses ere
she laid her gift beside the casket--a heap
of lace like . fairy's cobweb veil.
She has q mother, too" sighed
MaHge.
After that came troops Of fair women
and grand gentlemen, who had each
greeting and . gin. And when they had
passed ahe saw another--ah, why catch