, 1881-12-25


! when wish to make over my wardrobe,
enjoying her SISTERS disgusted look, whlc
takes in all her delicate costly apparel, fror
the dainty satin slipper that peeps out be
meath her skirts to the diamond moth in he
hair-papa's latest gift
| Blanche shrugs her plump shoulders
"Chacu7, q SON go1tt. And all the time yo1
have given to study, and cultivation, and ae
complishments will be quite Wasted,''' sh
atflrms, ~:..i !: r !:
"Why ~ a little sharply. & H.. +. !:
>*sDid you not say society would know 70,
no more after you were Mrs: Norton ~. r.
:"Do you think + would give mora to So
| ciety than I would to my husband ?'', witt
superb scorn. ...Nill it not be as much wortl
to amuse and interest him, and win and keel
his pride and respect, u.s. q. grinnlng Grove
would not give a baEatelte for, body, ant
soul, and brain-provided always that it i
endowed with soul and brain, which
doubt Ply: II. -:
!" We always thought you would amour
to something, some day" with reproacb
after another pause, - = And make name fol
! yourself" 3 r.. : -: ~..: 4: =:
Blanche" softly, *"would you wish ms
| famous and aesolate, or unknown and hap
| pyr' laying her hand catessingly on hef SIS
ter's arm .,:>. r Z ->. :, -, -.
so, happy, to be surel r.: with a shrug
"But don't see how marrying man whc
will probably never own span or give you d
diamond can make a woman happy. But
suppose you know best."H; ;.:.*:
"Yes, dear, + know hest about this:
graveIy and sweetly. SS j -. >: ::
Kr+ ho lar n
III a burst Of despair. :. t:.:....
:.."'Hush!". sternly. - You talk like a
child John Norton will make no woman a
slave, least Of all the woman ha loves. He
will care for her: tendefiy, and protect her
always. Ishall not give up my dreams, nor
my aspirations, but 1 shall live my life differ
entity from what I planned. I shall cuitt.
vate my brain and my heart is l may, and lie
will help me-yes, he will help me,'', half
to herself, with dreamy smile. ,*s What q
+ little pink raven you are, Blanche,
with your croakings and forebodings y
playfully, = You will see that shall have
Rome and diamonds yet, before die: BY
the time am 80 shall be a arnnde dame
in your beloved society; Reeamler, De-
Stael, and the Empress Of Austria in one.
My horoscope foretells 1t, let that comfort
you. Don't be a =Dolorosa another minute,
little sister, the role dosen't suit. you" Rls-
ins gaiiy aud kissing the pretty nower-face,
that has never had a strong emo ton beneath
its calm surface. \Nifehood and mother
hood cannot waken in soul that is not. :
., Going, dear? Tell papa will be With
him directly. I am dressed for the evening,
you see." -. %.>> :; !: ~. -:
The fire burns ruddily, the velvet curtains
are not yet drawn, Kathryn sits on dreaming
in the great chair on the woIf-rug. The
rounded white arms are bare, her cheeks
are flushed deeply, and her dark eyes gaze
into the writhing flames with an indolent
happiness. Fan: and gloves, and cobweb
handkerchief lie unheeded on the rug, and
her hair is Slightly ruf1ed in the abandon
ment of her revery. The night has fallen
without, and the corners Of the room are
thick with shadows; the freight touches
the passionate, despairing face Of an Ariadne
as it leans from some dim drapery, and tha
purple violets beneath the slim arched mar
bic feet fill. the room with dreaming fra
GRANGE. ~.~.-r -: IL ~ -. =
:. Tile door opens softly, and. Kathryn starts
up eagerly. :.:@: =" ~ :...*- "~. -
"'Ah,' ! am so glad to see youl" she says,
going forward with outsTetched hands,
picture Of radiant girlhood, with the rich,
dusky room FOR a, background, her eyes
brilliant, her lips parted; in happy smiles.
The man looks down into her face for mo-
ment before lie draws her,to him and kisses
her; Then he appsopriates her chair, and
she sits on the srug pna leans against his
knee and they talk earnestly q lung timo in :
the irelight. =. :.::. 81: .+-.
When the Christmas bells ring. out In the
gray midnight, and the carol-singers have
chanted their joyous tidings under t1ae win
dows, and the last guest has departed, Kath-
ryn and St John Norton stand together by
the library fire. ..... -
:: She looks little tired, and he draws her
head to his breast, and stands with his arms
"Next Christmas eve, my darling, we shall
hear the bells in our own home" T.
The half-hidden face grows rose-red sud
denly, and the white lids droop over the too
expressive eyes = ~~,- ~: =: .:
You do not regret -" he whispers. -:
81 regret nothing" she interrupts, hastily.
''1 Z our art, which you always spelled with
a big 4 2" he asks, with smile. y. =: /
II have said go0d-by to it. amnot brave
enough, nor strong enough, to reach the
'tars-a1one." .'<<:: -"
ttWe will find them together, love,' he
says, with grave tenderness, as he kisses the
sweet face lifted trustingly to his.
- FANNY. DR1scoLL,