Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1882-12-22
CHAPTER III.

1t was Christmas morning at Car
radoc. The sun shone brilliantly over
the snowclad land, and sowed diamonds
over the heaving sea; the cliff was
sheathed with iCe-a notable "moun-
tain Of light" worn by nature in honor
of the day.
The night had been tempestuous,
but heavy mist had fattened the
waters andaIulled the wind, and morn
ing broke in calm and shining beauty
The women of Carradoc were busily
employed in the preparation for the
festivities of the evening. Some wer e
cooking wonderful piles of the course
danties they deemed due the merry
season, for Of the sacred character OF
Christmas the people of Carardoc
knew little, and carried less.
The young women were putting the
finishing touches to the fish-shed,
which was invariably transformed into
a ballroom on the Christmas night;
they had secured and whitened it, and
were now covering the walls with bran
ches of evergreen.
All the able men had gone out fish
ing the previous morning and had not
yet returned. There was some little
wonder and anxiety expressed among
the women at their delay, for fresh
fish brought high prices ut Christmas
in Morpeth, the adjacent town and the
boats were expected to fetch b fresh
supply of ardent spirits to rouse the
Ioyousness of the jewellers.
1t was one of the unwriten laws of
Carradoc that the whole of the Christ
mas week should be spent in idleness,
revealing and drunkencss-the very
women were expected to "taste" the
cup as they passed it to their men.
Say, she's a-comin' here, sure's
you're hornl" exclaimed strapping
maid, happening to glance out of the
window, over which she was deity
mailing a wreath.
"Who's a,comin'?" asked her neigh
Dor, II tall, handsome girl with neatly
plated 1axen hair, and bold, blue eyes.
This was Raldy Leslie the belle of
C4rradoc.
"Herl" was Sal frames significant
reply.
Raldy Leslie turned away with a
whispered malediction.
Miss Galembert entered the shed,
walking feebly, and shivering in the
winter air despite her furs and the
sunshine. She was blanched and ema-
ciatod rs one who has just risen from
4 pending sickness; she looked very
frail and lonely rs she paused on the
threshold, looking wistfully at the
strong scowling workers.
Ill ,>,o.~l Al. IL
ley of the shadow of death since that
night when she saved the men of Cor
radock from committing crime, and
earned their hate thereby. Agitation
and exposure had invited disease. She
had been very i'll, and in her trouble
not soul had shown her kindness; on
the contrary, everything that evil heart
could devise was done to terrify and
atllict the 'strangers out of the place.
Some one even went so far as to write
upon the wall the tsuuting title. "Gov-
ernment spy"
But Azay bore all calmly and cour-
ageonsly, and this fair Christmas morn
ing she had come forth, restored to
health the first time since that night.
to offer peace and goodwill to these i'll
wishers whom she yesrned to benefit.
There was smile on her pale face as
she stood there, but it met no answer
ing smile. Every face stiffened, every
eye rose aud kept furtive watch on the
hated stranger. The cheerful buzz of
talk ceased there was an uncomfort-
able silence.
"l>wish you all q merry Christmas
and Heavens blessing on the coming
yesr!" said Miss Galembert, distinctly.
No one made reply; all turned to their
work with prodigious energy.
Miss Galembert flushed nervously:
the tears csme to her eyes, but she re-
pressed her emotion, and passed
through the woman until she came to
Raldy Leslie, who, on her knees before
q window, was binding spruce pine tas-
sells on barrel-hoep by way OF chan
delier. Miss. Galembert watched the
quick 1.-THE hands for q few moments,
then said, ia low and earnest voice:
'Raldy, | would like to speak to YOU
viii you come with me? have some
thing to tell you that will make this the
happiest, the best Christmas day YOU
knew" Rsldy lifted her fiaxen-b bound
heau NuN sthISN, uSI ulIlt eyes uarken-
ing, her rich cheek flaming.
Il want nothing to do with you. Best
lesve sleepin' dogs lie" she said, be-
tween her teeth, and a litter wen.
round the room.
Miss Galembert involuntarily crested
her head at the insult, but instantly re-
pressed the feeling, and said, mildly:
al have heard from Silas Crewie: he
sends you message"
Raldy started to her feet, her eyes
flashing with furious jealousy.
you've heerd from him, hev YEP"
demanded she, bitterly can there's
nothin' but a message to me? The
curse of q broken heart upon you'll He
was mine till you came an, stole him
from mer
81? Oh, God forbid" exclaimed Azsy,
utterly dismayed by the unexpected
accusation.
"You did," cried Raldy, fiercely. .'Yit,
what did you keer bout him? He was
mine. We was to lave been married
today" she stopped, half choaked,