The Penn's Grove record., 1883-12-29
THE s~LEHHINe PARTY.

"Oh, yes, Rob. Mamma o 0 good
care to see to that DO take this great
shawl, win your lShe insists that l
will need it, although | shall not, | am
sure"
The carriage waiting at the door on
this cold DecembeS morning conveyed
me, Rob Ellison, all my sister Nanette
to the depot to tak4 the train for Ever
ton, where we arTiIed after a days ride.
Another carriage net us there and took
us to 1.-THE Fins, THE old mansion of
my uncle, John Crfton.
1.-THE Elms'' wa q genuine old coun-
try house where thegenius of hospitality
reigned supreme. The walls were
decorated with pictares, some of which
were old-time portraits of fair ladies
with powdered hair, gorgeous In silks
and laces. Deer antlers, fi~shing-rods
and e~ngravings Of dogs and horses were
in the hall, and through the open doors
that were never sLmt rolled a glowing
warmth of anthracite. 1t was a jolly
place to visit. Uncle John was a fine
old gentleman. His stable was well
stocked with splendid horses, always at
the command of lis guests; his cellar
was plentifully supplied with the choi-
cest wines, and his table with all the
delicacies of the season.
Henrietta Croftor was the grown up
daughter of the family, and on this &C.
casion some of her old school friends
were domiciled under her fathers roof
for a brief season. | was very glad to
escort my sister to sThe Ems" for the
fair Henrietta had oeen the subject Of
my day-dreams for years. W. had
been much thrown together in our
childhood, and weIs so fond of each
other then that we had exchanged a
promise to marry when we were old
enough. This was only ehildren's talk,
but | had treasured it in my heart,
intending that no effort of mine should
be wanting to bring about its fulfill
ment. Henrietta had grown up into a
beautiful woman, my ideal of all that
was charming in womanhood, and the
thought of passing a fortnight under the
same roof with her gave me perfect
happiness.
| had been travelling in Europe for
two long years, and by anxiety to see
her was SO great thatNwhen | greeted
the family and found Henrietta was
absent, she having gone 10 the town on
some Grand, it was as much as I could
do to keep my impatient feet from
taking the road to meet hex on her re-
turn. However, we soon heard the
sound of wheels coming down the ave.
nue., and l rushed to the piazza IS the
vehicle drove up.
When the carriage door w~as\opened
and Henrietta leaned forward to grasI
my hand, at the anne time attempting
to alight without assistance, she step.
ped upon her dress, which caused her tc
fall. | received her in my arms, andon
my breast was one of the loveliest gitls
| had even seen. Henrietta 500 re
gained her feet and trlpped hastily u
the steps. There were indications OF
her face that she knew her cheek hat
touched mine as she fell, and that N.
arms had inclosed her in a warm EN-
brace. When l followed her and oul
eyes met she blushed and tried unsuc
cessfully to laugh.
How happily our time was passing a
1.-THE Elms.n Our rides and walks il
the crisp, cold December days added
rich glow to the ladies' cheeks and gay,
a keen sparkle to their eyes. Henriett;
was like her dear old self of many year
ago, and l was supremacy happy.
Alas! a serpent was soon to enter oul
Eden. One of Henrletta's visitors,
MISS lowering from New York, wa
about returning home, and her brothe.
was expected at "The Elms" to escor
her. When he arrived he proved to b
a tine-looking young fellow with polish
ed manners, well skilled in all thos'
agreeable tTifies that attract the atten
tion of young girls. He was a cultured
musician and a graceful dancer; III
could play innocent games of cards will
dexterity, while his conversation WA
rich and sparkling; to crown all he wa
the son of a millionaire, who allowed
him to use his money al if it was hi
own.
1t was no wonder that Nj. lowering
was Immediately attracted by the beauty
and grace of Henrietta, nor that he al
once showered his attentions upon her,
l had never feared e~ncountering a rival
before the advent of this young man,
but now l saw, with great pangs Of
jealousy creeping through my heart,
that Henrietta treated him with marked
kindness and was fiattered by his devo.
on to her. l regretted this as much
for her sake as my own, for there was
an understandable something about the
young man that made me fear he was
not a proper associate for the ladies at
''The Elms."
How uncertain are the events Of the
morrowl The sun rose, bright and
beautiful, in a cloudless sky, but before
noon the day grew bitterly cold and
occasional clouds chased each other
across the heavens. Towards evening
the sky was entirely obscured and light
flakes of nj began to float in the at
mosphere. MI. Crofton predicted a
severe snow storm, and before dawn his
prediction was verified. The Leverings,
instead of taking their departure. were
likely to become fixtures for some time.
Sleet and snow continued to fall with
out cessation all the next day. 1t was
not until evening that the clouds rolled
away and the full moon shone out in an
azure sky, shedding its pale light over
the thick, white carpet that covered the
earth, and giving a brilliant luster to
the ice-clad trees and shrubbery.
Although everything without was SO
cherries IN d-rawinr-rOOm presented a