The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1883-12-26
a Song in the Air.
A CHRLsTMAS GIFT.

l.
Stuart Mill it was to-night-but
the sentences that rolled SO smooth
ly off my tongue were as SO much
Greek to me a moment afterwards.
There was a sleepy fire burning IN
the CRATE. and toasting MS feet and
limbs in the warmth and heat, sat
the master .of West Willow Grove
an old gray haired man of 20, feeble
in health, and irritable in temper,
vet not an unkindly man, consider
ing his age and i'll health. | was
well, companion, secretary, hall
nurse. had made rather an unfort-
innate essay at a woman's independ
ence, and had been really glad to
come here where the home was com,
Portable and the duties light. And
yet
wondered how it would seem to
keep a really bright, merry Christ
mas-to have smiles showered upon
you, glad wishes, gifts, laughter and
pleasantries. | remembered when
we were little ones at home, how we
had hung up our stockings, feasted
and played and danced in the even
ing to mama's piano.
But since then there had come
death and changes. Papa, and
brother and sister had been carried
off by a malignant fever. My oldes
brother had gone to China to ente
mercantile house, and nay mothe
had accepted shelter atthe hands oi
great aunt, whom she had angereC
wears before, by her marriage with
poor man, when she Lllght have hat
a rich husband as well. Then sh'
died when | was about II.
Madam Mollineaux," my aun
was called. She had married a rici
old man for her second husband, bu
had been widowed for many years
There were numerous Molllncau!
leirs. but she seemed TO hate then
all. save one, who had spent montl
or SO with us the summer | was IA
After that | had a governess, and wa
kept as strict as prisoner. l ha'
such longings for youth and bright
ness, for gayety an3 affection when
saw their cheerful faces on Sunday:
Sometimes | used to think OF run
ming away.
/ was about II when the govern
ess was called away to her own fam
lily, but her absence brought me n
Dsrty. My aunt guarded me wit
curious watchfulness, forbiddln
n wells and young companions
was ready for a revolt at Chris
mas.
Only a year ago! Why did tn
bells, pealing through the clear, fro'
tv air, call it to mind? 1t came lik
picture over the page | was read
ing, and for a moment | saw
again.
Pauline" my aunt had said, g
expect a guest this evening. Go u
to your room, and put on the dres
you will find hanging there.
| obeyed, wonderingly. A crimso
cashmere, with soft, rich laces a
the wrists and throat, and a pear
necklace. What was to happen
Her austere maid came in and assist
ed me.
"Who is to Gomez" I asked, ca
gerIy. "Is it to be a party ?"
For it seemed to me that a part
with dancing and music would b
the crown to life.
"A party? MOI No such foolish
ness, indeed. 1t is Mr.. Vernon Mol
lineaux to spend week. There h
comes now. Don't go down unit
your aunt calls"
| turned up the light and looked
at myself. Yes, | was pretty now
with this soft pink in my cheeks
and the bright light in my eyes.
was of medium height, but my slen
derness made me look small. NJ,
complexion was fair, my hair a ricl
chestnut brown, my eyes man,
shades darker.
When was tired of admiring my
self, | opened the window and salt
a bit of Longfellow. There was n
moon but the stars were shining
and the bells pealed so joyfully. Ho'
many happy hearts there would b
tonight Why was | shut out of
all?
/ was summoned down stairs
Mr.. Vernon Mollineaux arose to re
ceive me.
| had preserved a little girls re
membrance of young man, bu
this one seemed rather old and grav
-2S. as | afterward learned, bu
there was an air of quiet authorit.
and experience about him that chill
ed my bright mood at the moment
Nv aunt waved me to a seat.
"We may at once begin with th
truth" she said, in her business lik
way. Although no outward tokel
may be visible, / know | have nc
much longer to live, and | desire t
let you know my plans. You, Vel
non, have treated me with great re
spect and less seryile selfishnes
than the other members of the fami
lly. Mollineaux Manor, is mine I
dispose of as l like, but it ought t
be handed down with the cid name
| have no nearer relative than thl
girl. but | have some pride for m
family as well. If you are willing t
marry her, the property is yours
she is foolish enough to refuse,
shall not alter my mind. She ha
been brought up in the strictest 81
clusion. so you need not be airal
of old, forbidden love affairs. / hay
not told her of my plans before. b
cause | meant to give her no chant
to set herself up in opposition to m
Here is a good husband for Vol
Pauline Delphy; and, Vernon Mo
lineaux, you are man enough, tai
CIV. to manage your own case"
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