Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-12-22

came in three hours later, and talked with
his father till the night was far spent. Two
days later he left home to enter the Eng
lish army, then called into active service
to Egypt. Madame Irwin was nearly
heart-broken at his sudden decision. His
father, though, felt proud of his resolve
to make a name for himself Elise was
absent when he left, but he had not for
gotten to leave polite message of farewell
for her. She was very much surprised at
the whole affair, but lurking suspicion
that she herself was the cause of his de-
parture made her almost regret her rebuk-
ing words. Her warm heart could hardly
bear to see Madame Twins unrepressed
grief at the absence of her idol.
Two years passed and the third year
found Elise unchanged in name, nature or
vivacity. She still led the busy social life,
and still cared for everything and every
body. But over the pretty face had fallen
a slight shadow. The pretty, dark-blue
eyes had sometimes a mist over them when
alone. She had awakened to the fact that
her heart was Chauncy's. His sunny dis
position and ways had won her heart
unconsciopsly, although her ideas and
thoughts were not all his because of his
faults.
Letters came from far off Egypt, where
he was in active service, telling of dangers
braved and battles Won. The newspapers
were teeming with tales of his bravery, bis
energy, his noble deeds of heroism. He
had found his work, his true calling, and
all his hitherto latent ambition was
aroused. Elise read them all. and her
eyes filled with tears as she wondered if he
had forgotten his old love for her, for
never message came. His fathers pride
in him increased, and he often remarked
"Ah | knew it was in him." but he little
thought that Elise had made his sons
whole character by her quick-spoker
words that fair night so long ago.
1t was near Christmas and the last new;
from Chauncy was that he hoped to spend
it with them in the old British town
Gladly and thankfully the family prepared
| to meet him.
Oldtime friends came with congratula
tons to the proud father, saying, ''the Vic
toria cross had never been worthier won'
All was happiness and joy at the Consul,
| house.
The house had been beautifully decorated
for Christmas. Long wreaths of evergreen
spruce, mingled with the crimson berrie,
| of the mountain ash, were twined rounC
the holdings and arched over windows
and doors. Autumn leaves of gorgeous
tints were wreathed around the picture
and statuary, and boughs of English mis-
tietoe and holly were hung from the chan
1 lalfare fNh.a ool- li,,o1
was brilliant with leaves and crimson Der
ries. The whole house had festive air
Even the conservatory had wealth o
poisoning roses and lilies, unusual to it il
this cold climate.
The snow covered the ground, and the
| cove and ponds were frozen; but the ole
British city was revelling in her winter
fnery. The market was one mass of greer
wreaths and hoops and triangles for decora
tions. Every day saw queer procession
of carts with one OK attached. On a pile
of evergreen sat the colored owner, who
disposed of his Christmas decorations as he
passed along at two cents yard.
'Want to buy any weafs marm," he
would ask politely, when a house door wa;
opened to his double knock. "Fwesh gweer
1 NtdiS, Iut CRY GCuOcu ONc city. LNcl
the soldiers of the various regiments quar-
tered here were busy decorating. 1t wa;
no unusual sight to see a red-coat hur
rying on, with wreaths Topped over hi:
uniform, on his way to the barracks.
The church doors stood open, and busy
workers piled fingers and needle to deck
altar, chancel and pulpit. Elise, with hel
many friends, was in great demand, YET
through all her work the thoughts wove III
and out, "What will be think? What will
he say? Has he forgotten my scornful
words? Will his Christmas gift be for
giveness for the old pain?"
At last the oath came; the great steamer
was signalled; the little ball that flew sc
swiftlyup the signal halyards on the citade
unrolled in a second the English flag
floated out-the English steamer was com.
ing. Booml boom the voice of the
ships gun came over the blue water
Boom bang! answered the citadel guns
in reply, and up the harbor came the great
steamship, with flags flying and her broad
side encased in a frosty mail armor, that
glistened like silver over the red paint
Chauncy stood on the deck, impatient tC
meet his father, who was awaiting at the
wharf His mother waited at home, in
happy Impotence, the homecoming OF her
idol.
Elise De Maurier, restless and nervous,
paced her room till the dressing-bell rang,
her blue eyes sparkling, but her face
rather paler than usual. She heard the
hall doors open, the mothers welcome, the
manly musical voice replying. Then all
was still, and she sped quickly down the
broad stairway and on to the conservatory,
her heart beating as if it would choke her,
and she wanted time to compose herself to
meet Chauncy. In little while she
heard his steps, as he came through the
fern arbor, and saw his fine figure in mill
tary costume. A quick, martial step re-
placed the old indolent saunter; truly he
had changed. He saw her, and she came
forward to welcome him, her lovely blush
ing face and shy eyes telling him he was
welcome.
He took her hand in his and gazed long
and earnestly at the pretty, blushing face.
Her expression seemed to amuse his ques-
tionine eyes.
He said softly, "Elise, have you changed
your opinion of me?"
She raised her dark-blue eyes to his and
answered, Yes, indeed | have"
"Then, with my crown of unchanged
love for you, will you accept the cross of
merit that l won, for a Christmas gift, and
may have your true heart that prompted
me to live a more useful life, in exchange ?"
And Eiise's happy, tear-brimmed eyes
answered yes. So his mothers ward had
accomplished her mission. Through love
she had nodded Chauncy TO lay aside his
old habits of Incidence and selishness, and
that happy Christmas brought its reward.
Love and loves sweet offerings
Of Sun les and kisses and sweet interchange
Of thought, pure as the drifting snow,
But warm as sunbeams in a Southern Cline"
HE SAW NO H0DAG.