Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-01-01

over for her To this girl, older in years
and still older in the experience that at
tends social position. did Nellie owe all the
brightness that had ever come into her life.
The only daughter and heiress of Hugh
McGregor, of the Mills, had early learned
her own Importance
4. With a commanding style OF beauty, and
much genius for government. she ruled
her little world Including her father and
bachelor uncle, Ralph,) without fear of
rivalry. One OF, the sweetest impulses of
her unspoiled, generous nature, had led her
to befriend the little girl whose wild-rose
usual pleasures belonging TO her age, by
her fathers stern and sour intolerance.
Singing schools, candy pullings and quilt
ing bees had opened their delights to Nelly
under the friendly escort of Rose and I'm
Gle Ralph. Even Ramsey seemed 10th to
offend Ralph and rarely SAID mo" to his
pleading for the child" Indeed, with the
careless observance of childhood, Nelly had
but recently begun to understand what she
owed to this plain, unassuming /" uncle"
Ralph Mctiregor, after a youth of unusual
promise had somehow missed his way in
the world. The blamelessness of his daily
life, and the sweetness of temper, which
never failed to impress all who came in
contact with him, had prevented his prac-
teal neighbors from giving him the epithet
of me er do weel, SO frankly bestowed by
the Scotch upon those who do not take
good heed to the main chance" Yet he
was his brothers trusted right hand"
and the Prime Minister of his daughter in
all her schemes for her own or others
pleasure.
BY o'clock Nelly had tidied up the
house with more than her usual zeal and
dispatch, and came TO take her wearied-
looking mothers place at the washtub.
This was placed in little room apart from
the heat of the kitchen, but vigorous rub
bling soon made the girls cheeks glow She
slackened her work to listen. Yes, some
one was coming in with her father
They talked loud, for her father was
dull of hearing. 1t was Ralph
McGregor. They talked for a long
hour OF the weather, the logging, the shout
der strain of the brown mare, the pig
sticking which (the moon being right
should come Off next week. Ralph would
him an off-day While talking his neigh
Dor into gdbd humor, Ralph watched the
rhythmic dip Of the slender, rounded arms
in the foaining suds, and the varied ex-
pressions that chased each other over the
pretty. downeast face. When he rose to
so, Nelly's Lip quivered, and she could not
look up. Ramsey pressed his visitor to
bite and sup II may as WELL" said
artful Ralph 4" for Rose bid me bring your
lassie with me for the night. Its Christmas
eve" he added, seeing q denial in the face
of Ramsey, Sand Rose wants to keep it.
We were all young once, suppose"
The thick gray eyebrows of the host
came together in ominous fashion (both
women held their breaths), but he paused
as if to consider to whom he spoke.
Rose is guide lass but over heady and
likely to gang wrong without guidance
ken nothing about ewes, but there's rag
of pcpery in the keepin of Christmas Did
our ancesterssign the solemn League and
Covenant-ay, and seal it with their blood
that their children should observe times
and seasonsh All days are like to man,
but the Holy Sabbath. No child of mine
shall keep Christmas. But if Rose wants
the lass tonight, see that she is hame by
the stroke of twalve"
Il will bling her in good time,n said
Ralph, overjoged at this unexpected con-
cession.
The two men soon went out, and Nelly
crept, tremb hg. from her hiding place
.'Oh. mother mother. is it true :?
Did father really mean it? There will be
dancing, and1 never saw any in my life :"
Nelly, Nelly" said the timid mother,
. do not say that. If your father should
hear ~
The simple toilet was soon made. The
tender hands that had dressed the girl in
her babyhood fingered lovingly over it.
The mothers faded eyes frightened. as well
they might, when the little maiden stood
ready for hood and shawl, in her vivid win
ter plaid, softened and toned down at the
delicate throat and arms by some of the
real lace woven in those days. Precious
heirlooms passed down by the women of
one generation to the next, until the men,
cries OF race of fair women were meshed
in its creamy folds The hazel brown hair
that matched the eyes, snooded
with soft blue ribbon, framed the
innocent face, bright with anticipa-
ton. The mother turned away, after
a long, earnest look. and opening a
little box of quaint old workmanship she
drew from it her one treasure-her own
mothers gold beads-and fastened them
by their curious old clasp about her
daughters fair neck
My little daughter will be worthy of
them. she said, gravely.
Nelly's breath came quickly, in raptur-
GUS surprise. 90, motherl' she said. and
her eyes filled with happy tears
o, careless votaries of wealth and fash
ion With jewels changing with the sea-
son-perhaps with each new cosiume-vou
can buy nothing SO precious as those old
fashioned ornaments; for love and faith
and heroism went with them from mother
to daughter
A ponderous stamping off OF snow on
the steps announced that all was in readi-
ness. Neither of the three, who were in
close sympathy, felt quite safe from some
sudden outbreak of tyranny until Nelly
was tucked safely into the red cutter be-
side . Uncle" Ralph. As he gathered UP
the lines for start, and Nelly's lips parted
with relief, her father darted swift look
at her from under the grey eyebrows, ard
said, in his sternest tone, Remember"
Nelly understood but it was so long till
midnight, and SO much was to be enjoyed
Ralph started the big black mare at
funeral pace down the declivity towards the
lake, until a turn in the road hid them
from the house. Then he shook the reins.
with chiirup that Blackbird well under
stood. She started, Strengthened up from
her lounglng attitude, and gathered up her
long limbs for showing of what she re-
ally was-the best trotter in the country.
Ralph had added another string of bells to
her already full outfit, aud as she settled
lito INC ioHS- SWlilSilB trOI, Wtlcn was ler
best gait she shook them with chime of
music that went straight to the heart of the
little girl behind them. Blackbird flew
fast, and faster, and Nelly's spirits rose pro-
portionately. After mile had been passed
she was only happy child, forgetful of her
grim father, feeling only the delicious mo-
ton, hearing only the merry bells Ginning
with her happy anticipations of the grand
ball and the meeting with Rose
Ralph watched her with furtiye tender
ness, speaking but little. but fully ENJOYING
her delight. The six miles drive seemed
all too short, when they turned off from
the frozen lake and refined Blaekbird up in
a storm of bells, at the long, low. spacious
and comfortable farmhouse of the McGreg-
ors. Rose met her friend with open arms,
and the remainder of the short winter after
noon sped away in happy girlish chat and
simple preparations for the grand evening.
Rose smiled at the delight of her friend.
with a sense of superiority, though in full
for she had seen the gayeties of
the Capital, having spent much of the pre-
vious winter at Albany in company with
her father. When the smoking supper was
served, and the family summoned by the
blast of q tin horn, Hugh McGregor came
in with Ralph and couple of farm lads.
His greeting to the timid little guest was
fatherly in its kindness. and she soon for
got her shyness. Her rare sensitiveness
made her mood as changeful as the chame-
leon. She seemed to glow and radiate in