Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-12-20
LOST! DECEMBER 18th.
wRIrTEH FOB THE EVENING STAR BY
OCTAVE THANEr.
CHAPTER I.

MISS CELIA WILDER did not stop at the
IVA public library. as her custom was, on her
way up the hill. Yet she had intended to stop.
Though it was the day before Christmas, and
Hiss Celia was loaded with bundles, she still
had enough loose silver left in her pocket to
pay her passage in the electric car that creaked
and whirred up the hill past her, red blur in
the winter dusk. crammed like a bee hive; how
ever she would not ride. she would walk and
go into the library for the "'Crime of Sylvestre
Bonard," to be finished and left there for her
today by Mrs Rollins
Indeed she did walk az far the library. and
paused outside the door. The library is thin,
high brick building. with an unhappy accident
of a tower on one side: but Miss Celia admired
il, because her father had given it to the town.
She looked. now. with a sentiment approaching
to fondness on the great oaken doors and the
little shops which Jared in front. One shop
was y milliners and the other q confectioner's s;
and in the latter window was glitter of iced
cakes and sugar forms, all under the eye of n
Santa Claus appearing a Christmas tree.
Had there not been this window Miss Celia
would have gone in for her book, because but
for this window little girl of three. in the
daintiest furred long coat with a mop of spun
gold rings tumbled over the gray fur and blue
cloth. would not have stopped to admire its
splendors and the patient Swede girl with her
would not have cOaxed her in vain.
Miss Celia looked at the child with friendly
smile. Spinster as she is who has passed more
than one birthday in the forties there is no liv-
ing woman With a warmer heart for children.
Besides had she not her own little boy waiting
for her at home? Poor Eliza child, left to her
with ELIAS diamonds and a pretty legacy, five
years ago.
Eliza was the beauty Of the Wilder family.
Celia's own sister. She had been married in
Washington (when Gen. Wilder was in Con-
gress) to a rich New Yorker with weak lungs,
who could not live at home. There Eliza held
court for ten years, not forgetful of her sister,
who visited her regularly every winter. Then
came q last sad winter. Eliza and her husband
died within four months of each other and the
poor little rich boy was left to his aunt 1t was
six years ago. Rex was only a baby, and the
wrench and shock had somehow been outlved,
for 1.-THE strong years conquer Us, but Celia
faithful heart often ached yet She had taken
the pretty, delicate little creature and reared
him with much love and some tears lest she
should miss the best course for a boy. If only
her father had lived, Celia believed her father
the noblest of men and great statesman. She
had been his friend, his conhdant, his private
secretary and his neyer-faltering worshiper.
For his sake, she who had been handsome
girl and distinguished looking womar,
had never married. IL spite of many lovers.
After his death she lived alone in the old
house that her father had left her and dincd
with the family portraits until Rex came.
Remembering Rex now. she smiled again on
the little girl, saying in her gentle kighbred
voice:
do you want something in here, dearie?''
Il want to do in and talk to Santa Claus"
said the little lady very composedly. MY
mamma did talk to Santa Claus one day in a
store"
Sic must go home" the maid interposed.
We must take ear; Mrs Brace, sic not like
it,
Miss wilder's face changed at the name, and
her hand dropped off the little shoulder. She
said coidiy that a car was coming. and, without
making any further remark. turned and went
up the hill, too absorbed in some sudden
thought to remember her book, or even to
notice Mrs Rollins. who had come up putting
little with THE Crime of Sylvestre Bonard."
Mrs.. Rollins a little. plump. white
woman. with pretty toilets and lisp. She ap-
peared a soft. timid and possibly silly dove.
but she was sufficiently acute The Rev Thad-
deus Graves Rollins her husband was rector
Of the parish 20 which Miss Wilder literally
subscribed She went every Sunday. twice a
day, ~ church: she attended the weekday
services In Lent, but she did not belong to the
church. Why? That is what Mrs. Rollins
telling Mrs. Dubarry, the librarian. while Miss
Celia tramped more and more swiftly up the
hill.
she hurried off so quick that couldn't
make her hear" said Mrs. Rollins between
pants. unloosening her sealskin-
Why. ~ her talkicg to Mrs. Braces little
girl only minute ago, said Mrs Dubarry. a
stranger In the place. u reserved. dark woman.
who bad known enough hardship and turmoil
to be thankful for this quiet harbor-
'.Ah. that was it. Betty" Mrs. Dubarry was
an old friend of the rectors wife, Il do be-
heye she didn't know and then somebody told
her"
Know what, Janet?''
know her own niece. That child is Miss
Wilders niece
why shouldn't she know her?''
well. ii Is a lOngish story, and the placard
says, Do not talk you know"
''Oh. certainly, perhaps We would better not.
said Mrs Dubarry, timidly. with thought for
the board of trustees ard the mites at home
and how much the salary meant to her.
There's nobody here said Mrs. Rollins.
who stood in less awe of the trustees KIN wing
them better. Il think here is about the only
place that isn't crowded. Well. you might
well know, Betty, because otherwise. Miss Celia
being here SO much and ali. Won might put your
foot IN 1t with a stray question. II is this way.
You know Miss Celia : father was Gen. Wilder.
He had regiment IN the war and was breveted
general and was cIr member of Congress until
he died: would have been our Senator If he
had lived. Miss Celia thought him the creates:
man on earth. Well Gen. Wilder had two wives;
it ia 10 be supposed he got along comfortably
with the fret one (Celias mother). She died
when Celia was fifteen, and he married
again, which / have been told Celia
took very hard Whether il was her step
mother fault or hers they were not happy.
The stepmother was handsome creature. very
gay ana fond OF admlratlOn; the husband was
absorbed in politics. he WAS used to his
daughters sympathy and to being considered
demigod; his wife didn't bow down and wor-
ship him Is he was accustomed to be treated;
rhe was waiting to be worshiped herself. The
result was. they quar-eled. There was one
child, girl: she was ten years old and Celia
about twenty-eight when the crash came and
the pair separated; exactly why, nobody knows,
but there was plenty of gossip. The little girl
went with her mother and from that day to this
Celia has never had a word TO say to her sister"
But don't you think that hard" said Mrs.
Dubarry; '.yOu know the child naturally would
cling to Its mother
''Oh. that wasn't the whole story As the
girl grew up her father wanted to see her and
she sided with her mother and wouldn't see
him, and Il very ho-rid indeed, They do
say that he sent for her when he was diving and
she wouldn't come. / don't know"
Did he leave her any property" said Mrs.
Dubarry, who, poor soul, was poor that she
could not help considering money any more
than she could help breathing.
Yes, that was the odd part Of it. He left
her almost ~ much as be left Celia
And she Is rich"
Why. suppose Celia must have S20o, 900. -
What became Of the mother!'
''She went To Europe"
'.And the laughter
''She married too, and has come here to live.
You know her, it is Mrs. Brace
and that her daughter1f'