Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1883-12-06


him pleasanter subject"
The blush that softly tinged Christie's
cheek was sufficient answer to her ques.
ton.
But brighter still the too truthful
blood burned in her young cheeks when
thew entered Mrs. Hiltons parlors the
same evening, and were warmly vel
coined by the hostess and her handsome
nephew.
1t had been that lady's within to give
an "Aucestor' Ball. at which every
invited guest must wear an antique cos
tune, and as the two sisters, arrayed
in rich brocades and with their bright
curlS powdered after the manner of rev.
dictionary DANES, passed through the
well-lighted rooms, many turned to
look again at the pretty Misses Pen
raven.
How well you have carried out
Aunt Helen idea, Julian Hilton said
as he stood by Christie's side, looking
down at her admiringly. you only
need frame to make perfect picture
of q maiden of the olden time; and up.
on my word l never knew that they
dressed 50 becomingly before, " he adj.
ded with n half smile.
"0h, | deserve no credit for my
taste, the Girl answered, archly ignor
ing the implied compliment, ''for my
entire costume, from the high silver
comb to these red-heeled slippers, was
selected and worn by my great-grand.
mother, Dame Martha Penrayen. Fa
Their chose it because he thinks me like
her portrait, which hangs over the din.
ing-room man.e! Perhaps you've no.
ticed it9N
"Yes, and | observed the resem.
blauce, but the expression is very diff.
ferent. You, Miss Christie, look the
incarnation of youth and happiness,
while the eyes of that picture fairly
haunted me with their sadness"
land well they might, Christie said.
ut may have been with premonition
of her fate. Her husband. one of Wash
ington'S bravest officers, was arrested
and shot by the British troops before
her eyes; and grief and horror brought
on brain fever. from which she died.
Strange to say, two heirlooms, that
were regarded by the Penravens with
an almost superstitious feeling, disap-
peared on the same day. They were q
magnificent pair of diamond ear-drops,
and as the British took nothing but pro-
visions, it was thought that poor Dame
Martha had hidden them when the
troops arrived At all events they were
never found. But | forgot, " she added
hastily, II ana keeping YOU from help
ing Mrs. Hilton with her guests.
lyon are too kind by half, " her COM
panion replied, with the gay laugh that
she liked so well. The only one of
Aunt Helen's friends whom | shall
trouble is yourself; but ! will atone for
other deficiencies by attention in that
direction. Don't you think that a fair
arrangement
1t was impossible for Christie's buoy
ant disposition to resist his contagious
gaitc dit cgur, and as they joined the
dancers to lead n minuet, all thought
of the obnoxious Mr.. Smithers had van
ished she saw only Julian Hilton:
face, felt only his close hand-clasp up.
on her own,
She had known the young artist for
but a few months, yet no one knew bet
ter than he how to ''improve each shin
ing hour when with u lovely girl and
he had improved them with such sue.
cess as to completely win the warm
heart of Christobel Penraven.
But she was proud, this little Virgin
ia lassie, and her pride ruled the love
that had come so suddenly. She argued
that it was merely Irritation, which
the wealthy and city-bred man found
pleasant 10 amuse himself with, while
idiing for summer in the mountains
and she decided as promptly that he
should never know how serious it had
become to her.
All, well, the present moment, with
its music, shimmering lights, anc
strangely happy excitement was hers
and leethe future hold what it may, she
would enjoy herself to the utmost now
she would gather her roses while che
might.
But her evil genius was surely ever q
hand to-day; for scarcely had they fin
ishcd dancing, and were leaving the
heated ballroom for cooler air on the
verandah. when q sudden cry from the
girl made her companion stop abruptly
~ hurt my foot, she explained faint
-, as she sank into the nearest seat
at struck against the railing as WI
came out, and something sharp cut nay
instep. IL tbinF / viii have TO tax,
my slipper of, for it pains me still. "
She stopped, as she spoke. to unfasteI
ii, but in her confusion and haste poo
Christie could do nothing; and Julian
who stood anxiously by, dropped on BIZ
knee, deity unloosing the refractory
buckle. and lifting her little foot out o
its prison.
please don't think ne o coward,
the girl said with smile. Il will be
quite ready to 20 on in . minute, but i
did hurt fearfully at first. canno
think what it could be.
"Then ! can, he replied, as he tool
q sea-. beside her, still holding the slip
per There is something hard anC
sharp in here just over the instep.
1t was dainty little affair, with rec
heels, and silver buckle fastening thu
most coquettish velvet bow; but hi
ruthless pen-knife ripped it off in hur
nv; and there, right under the place
where the bow had been, was narrow
| slit cut In the black morocco.
1 - -alLlo ,,,.,e. bavn ulippnd IL