The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1883-12-27
PART I.

green along paths else hidden; out
from the little town, on road which
led southwark to other towns as silent
and uneventful.
1t was rare old homestead, even
thus remote from other dwellings,
roomy, luxurious, with wealth's con-
ceptions and royal with welcome for
friends. A rare old place for visit
at Christmas no less than at other
seasons--for therein was never known
cold corner, never chill spare room,
an icy sheet, frosted window-pane!
A huge furnace in the cellar sent up
streams Of delicious warmth, which
here and there found supplement in
glowing crate fires rudy as the setting
sun.
Great solacc was evident in the rosy
depths of fame great solace
and delight, to the mistress of the
house, the quiet, elderly woman who,
for thirty years, had ruled here, alone
for the most part. especially until
Clarice had come Yet her life had
not been one of unhappiness; she,
Lucretia Claiming, at 90, could look
back upon the past and say it had been
well worth living. And Clarice would
brighten all the later days-Clarice mo
relative whom she had adopted rs
niece half-score years before, and
strven to DO for as she would for m
own child.
Sometimes Miss Channings only
brother, older, not oyer-like herself,
found time to run hither from the great
city and spend day or two, filled with
his politics, his speculations, his linger-
ing greed for gain. Little and bent he
was, with many a cynical chuckle and
nasty sarcasm, and seemed to delight
in arriving when least expected. Yet
he ever received his due of respect and
deferences-even they humored him by
strict observance of his request that
no carriage he sent to wait for any late
train.
There were others who aways came
at the Christmas season; the Fieldings,
elem and Charley, children of cousin,
Victor Keene. physician, and his wife
Myra, also distant connections, besides
schoolgirl friend or two of Clarice.
In the past there had also been Elmer
keene, now abroad, and Robert Nc
Clure, his chum and protege.
Even though Miss Claiming had not
herself enjoyed this flood of youth and
music and laughter, she would still
have made them welcome for Clarice's
sake. No mother could have been
truer or wiser to Clarice than was She
She felt it no sacrifice when she took
the girl to the city to spend January,
or to the seaside for midsummer
month The remainder of the time
in the two years since Clarice had left
school-they had spent happily enough
by themselves in the great house out
among its own far-reaching meadows.
Here they could bring the latest
wonders of art, and enjoy them in rest
full leisure; here was home and its ex-
ceeding tenderness and peace.
1t was lacking two days of Christmas,
and the house was filled with quiet
uae that presaged coming joys. Every
where was the delicious evenness of
temperature, from the great velvet
carneted drawing-room to the smallest
upper chamber, through whose dormer
window came the faint light of the win
ter sunset.
And in her own apartment, facing the
glow of freight, Miss Claiming rocked
slowly to and fro in an ample chair,
while Clarice stood leaning upon the
low mantel, a sweet and gracious pres.
ence. Tall, with perfect outline,
though slenderly built; fair, with face
both classic and tender, and wondrous
shadowy eyes, gray springs in the fuller
light. She leaned gracefully; her gray,
close clingng dress, was perfect i'll tail,
cr-tit, perfect in its one hue relieved
only lay the cluster of Jacqueminoi
rcsee glowing on her bosom.
Miss Charming rocked slowly to and
fro in her favorite chair, still holding
her fasorite magazine though she
had not read for an hour. There was
something in her countenance indicative
of slow Judgment, answering purpose
nothing unkindly, however, or cruel
Clariee recounted the preparations o.
the day in CHEEKY voice-a voice thai
seemed to have never thrilled with pair
or passion.
The same as usual, Aunt; the front
cahnber for Uncle Rowland, the pink
room to Nettie and Nell, the Fielding,
in the blue room, Victor and Myra il
the gold room and Mr.. Mcclure in tn.
red"
Miss Claiming rocked more slowly
"Mr Mcclure will not be here thi,
year"
Clarice repeated the words in .
wondering tone: will not be here
why, aunt, did you forget to ask him ?
NO, did not forget"
There was silence-the sheeres
silenee-then Clariee spoke in low
voice; And you are not going to asl
him."
Il am not"
"But why, aunt?" There was onl,
calm and respect in the query.
Because, my dear, it is not advisa
BILE. Ii would have been hard To omi