American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1881-05-28
CHAPTER III.

IHO5Jts,
CHAPTER H.
For many long years the Christmas.
Eve party at Larchton Mere had been a
most solemn institution. Sir Austen
believed in old times and in old Gus
toms, and he loved Christmas with the
simple love of child. 1t was with a
heart full of emotion that he took his
place now at the table which groaned
under its Christmas fare. To Ross 1t
was something new to see lady in the
chair which had so long been vacant.
Lady Cumnor's magnificent blonde
beauty was shown to the greatest adj
vantage tonight. She wore a dress of
rich black velvet, with suite of superb
diamonds. Her arms and neck were
white as the driven snow, her golden
hair glistened in the brilliant light, and
her face, proudly fair, was flushed with
beautiful color. She had snail white
teeth that shone like pearls when she
smiled, eyes as blue and clear and cold
as the water of an Italian lake, and
curved lips that could be sweet or
scornful, as she pleased.
She was most fair and lovely; yet
Ross, as he watched her with some Curl
osity. said to himself that she was not
the kind of woman he could love.
What was there about her that repealed
hjmP Her fair, grand beauty and stately
grace were perfect; but there was
something that repealed him, something
in the cold light of the blue eyes that
chilled him Stately grace. bland cour-
tesy, refinement and tact distinguished
her; but more than once he, watch
ing her, caught CLEAN in those blue
eyes that was like a warning to him.
in those cold. blue depths he, to whom
nature had given keen shrewdness, read
deep passions, ungoverned pride. great
ambition, cool, calm power, and resist
less force of will-all these he read
where other people saw merely the
bright light in the eyes of beautiful
woman.
She did not often glance at him; but.
when she did, there was calm deter
mination in her eyes. From her his
eyes wandered to his mothers distant
relative, and they fingered long on that
face. 1t lacked the brilliant beauty
that distinguished Lady Cumnor's;
but it had loneliness of its own. The
eyes were dark as night, clear, sweet,
and with wondrous steadfast light in
their depths. Her face was oval in col
tour. Spanish in type-clear brunette
beauty-with color that at times as
sumed the hue of q delicate rose-leaf,
and again was pale as lily in the sun
light Her dark hair was arranged
in thick coils round a beauti-
fully-shaped head; and the spark
ling grace and life that charac-
terize all Spanish women shone con-
spicuously in her. From the pale
Spanish face, with its spiritual, poetical
expression, Ross ewes wandered to the
fresh beauty of Lady Viola Carlien, an
English girl. Of whose nationality there
could be no doubt.
Hers was bright, beautiful face, a
blending of lily and rose, with eyes of
the color of purple heartsease, and
fair hair, which, without being golden,
seemed to have caught the sunlight.
She was as fresh and fair as a rosebud.
straight and supple as a young willow,
with an exquisite profile and a perfect
figure. She wore white dress with
holly leaves and scarlet berries. Lean
Dynevor had a dress of trailing black
lace with golden leaves. Other fair
faces were there; but these were the |
three that interested Ross Cumnor
most
Like all the dinners given at Larch- |
ton Mere, this was grand success, and |
Sir Austen's face frightened as he'll
looked first on the old friends round
him. and then at his beautiful wife. He
kept up the loving old custom of the |
and he stood up, with |
tears in his eyes and love and friend /
ship warm in his heart, while he drank |
az merry Christmas and happy New
Yearr'
The whole party went into the brill
iantly Lighted drawing-room, and then
Lady Cumnor seemed to think it time
that she spoke to her handsome step
son. She summoned him to her with |
a graceful wave Of her fan; and Ross
went.
1--WE have hardly spoken to each
other yet" said Lady Cumnor. -
have not had an opportunity of saying
we expected to be in reaching home"
LIT must have been a fatiguing Jour-
ney for you," he said.
His voice was cold, and she felt it. The
nearer he came to that cold, glittering
beauty Of hers the less he liked her
Yet she was a woman, and he was al
ways chivalrous.
ut was not so very fatiguing." she re-
piled; "and 1 had before my eyes al
ways the hope of reaching home"
She laid great stress upon the last
word. as though she wished to make him
that Larchton Mere was her
home quite as much as his. He felt
his. He understood the position with
put one word, and passed it over. For
MS fathers sake, and because she wasa
he would do all he could.
Il hope" he said, ''that you like
Larchton Mereg'
Il have not seen much of it. The
noon was shining brightly as we drove
through the park; and the great mass
II building lying in the shadow looked
enough. shall see more
# it in the daylight tomorrow"
Ross gave one glance round the
magnificent drawing-room- Surely"
he thought, 1.-THE interior might please
leri She may have been accustomed
o luxury; but this must please her."
II hope" he said, that you will be
pleased with Larchton Mere The
louse has always been considered good
me-
at seems very fair" she replied,
Oddly. "Of course we shall require
but that one expected ]
Il do not quite see why" he said. !
fifty.
'.Do you NOTE How strange! Why,
1 course, when house has been for