Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-12-22
His Fathers Ward; Or, Cross and Crown
A CHRISTMAS STORY.
written for the SUNDAY UNION by LEN


situated on the Northwest
Arm, the waters of the blue Atlantic form
ng beautiful cove, the banks of which
we're grassy lawns and tree-shaded slopes,
IN which were built the homes of wealthy
residents, some of them palatial in ele-
yance. The French ConsuPs home was a
fine grey stone building, fashioned after
The style of the Tudor mansions on the
banks of the Thames. A carriage drive
from the main road held its sinuous way
through fine grove of naples and sturdy
English oaks. In the early fall this drive
was a dream of beauty, in its rich, radiant
coloring of crimson and gold, hecked with
vivid greens and dull browns. that ac-
centuated the glowing colors-leaves that
seemed splashed with the life-blood of the
dying summer. At the back of the house
the lawn sloped to the waters edge, and
flight of stone steps led to small wharf
and boat house. A steam launch and yacht
and several pleasure boats were moored to
their anchors, and fioated serenely on the
tide, now and then advancing or receding
in stately minuet fashion, as the waves
moved them. A tall flagstaff stood in the
center of the court yard, from the top Of
which hoated the cri-color Of France.
The interior of the house was no less
beautiful. The front hall had tesselated
floors of colored Marbles the side lights
and oriel windows were of stained glass.
A fireplace, with tiled mantel and jambs,
and brass fender and andirons, reflected
the oak wood flames and rendered the hall
a cheerful resting place. One Or two
handsome pictures and plush divan gave
color to the oak and cherry wood finishing
of the staircase, and soft fur rugs were be-
fore the elegant portierres that yelled the
drawing room entrance; also, the dining
room, sitting and library. The up
per part of the house was arranged in bed
room suites and bathrooms, fitted up with
all the modern luxuries.
1t was cool evening in the early fall
and the inmates of the hall were Madame
Irwin, the Consul's wife, and Chauncy,
the only son and heir, who had Just at
tanned his majority, a tall, fair fellow,
with closely cropped curly hair, blue eyes,
refined features and beautiful mouth,
shaded by a tawny mustache. But the
general appearance of this young man was
etfeminate. There seemed to be want of
vigor, not from ill-health, but love of in
dolence and lack of viyacity and energy.
His pursuits were inclined to be literary.
as he was finely educated But even that
did not trouble him. His mother, the
Madame, and Henri Irwin, the Consul,
had both spoilt him in his youth, and now
were inclined in his manhood 10 deplore
his lack of vim and easy pleasure-living
nature.
There seemed to be an air of expectancy
that pervaded the whole house. Even the
well-trained servants seemed to be hurry
ing around. Madame stood in evening
dress, with one well-shod foot resting on
the brass fender, and her pretty hands
holding a fire-screen before her dark eyes.
Chauncy had stretched his lazy length on
the divan, and his one hand slowly caressed
fine greyhound that lay beside him on
the floor Chauncy's eyes roved indo-
lently from the pictures to his mothers
face, as she spoke in well-modulated
voice, but in broken English, of the ex-
pected guest, and what duties Chauncy
would be expected to perform in entertain
ing her. Mr.. Irwin had gone to the train
that evening to meet his ward, the daugh-
ter of lifelong and wealthy friend. who
was now about to make her home with
them. Chauncy had really no objections
to offer to the arrangement, except the
disinclination to entertain or amuse a
young lady and school graduate from
Girton. She was, as he had heard, a
maiden of the modern school, and had given
both time and attention to physical culture
as well as the mind; girl of marvellous
adaptability to all Notwithstanding,
rowing, skating, riding, tennis and other
athletic sports that this modern age
licenses to the modern maid. In all these
she excelled. In accomplishments de-
signed for the fair sex-as drawing, paint
ing, music-Elise had acquitted herself
with credit. She had even dabbled in
science Chauncy held his hands up in
horror as his mother went over the details
of the last letter from the Girton College
professor. His easy going, indolent nature
could not tolerate the thought fthe energy
that accomplished this.
"Unwomanly" he called it. "And MOTHER"
he SAID, 81 shall not live at home. Why,
my life would be miserable"
'But Chauncy," pleaded his mother, at
is not fair to judge of any girl till you are
acquainted with her."
',Oh, know just what she is like; you
can't tell me-" said Chauncy, his prejudice
making him unreasonable.
The roll Of carriage wheels put an end
TO the conversation, as the colored foot
man passed through to open the doors,
Chauncy springing up and his mother 60
ing forward to meet them.
Mr.. Irwin came up the steps with his
ward, Elise De Maurier, both laughing and
chatting like old friends. Then he pre-
scented her in his graceful foreign way to
his wife and son, Madame giving her a cor
dial, motherly greeting, and Chauncy a
slow, but very graceful bow, his lazy, indo-
lent eyes only half opening under their
lashes. Elise flashed one glance at him
from her blue eyes, then turning to the
fire place she held out her small chilled
fingers to the glow, as she awaited her
maid and the unloading of the luggage
and small belongings so necessary to her
comfort.
Elise was tall girl of twenty, with
superb figure, large dark blue eyes, with
arched brows, and long, curling black
Iashes; her fine black hair was coiled low
On the well-poised head, and her hands
and feet were small, but well formed. AS
she stood there, chatting pleasantly and
vivaciously about her trip, Chauncy could
but acknowledge to himself that there was
nothing mannish about this fair girl, if she
was fond of athletic sports. Her maid
coming in at that moment put to flight all
further imaginings about her, as she went
with her hostess to the suite of rooms that
she would occupy in her new home, the
welcome she had received fortelling her
happiness and contentment.
The passing days found Elise happy and
in her new home. Society, hear
ing of her charms, of wealth, style and
.auty, came to her feet. Each day and
every hour she was in demand-moonlight
nights for tobogganing, dark nights for
skating in the well-lighted rink, where it
was pure pleasure to glide around in time
10 the military band music that pulsed on
he frosty air. Elise waltzed very grace
'ully on her skates, and was never at loss
or partners. The officers of the 10lst
-egiment sought eagerly for the spare
lanees, and many young subaltern lost
lis heart to Elise for tina; winter, at least,
ar II is 4 known fact that the subs" are