Waterbury evening Democrat., 1891-06-13
CHAPTER XII.

The following day passed very quiet
ly for me. was much of the time
with Lapotin, who grew daily stronger;
occasionally met Ellen in the garden.
Then came Christmas. For Nice, the
weather was rather severe.
AS was coming from Lapotin, FL
lens door opened, and she beclzoned to
me. Astonished, stepped to the thresh-
old.
mo, come in,' said she, 81 wish to
show you something pretty"
There In the middle of the room stood
o lovely fir-tree, beautifully orna-
mented with sweets and co1ored papers.
'Only think" said Ellen, ''the little
English children of whom spoke yes
terday have never seen a Christmas
tree, and when told them about these
trees, they begged me to trim one for
them. 1t is very pretty, is it not? But
see, the lights are wanting yet, and 1
cannot go out; will you be so kind"
81 will get the very best candles for
you, and will fasten them myself 1t is
not such an easy task; my sisters always
leased me until undertook to do it,"
said l, opening the door to go out
''Oh! that is fine!'' cried Ellen, 'tyou
will return soon, will you not? Later
on, must go to auntie."
81 will return in half an hour,"I an
swered, closing the door, when saw
opposite me Mrs. Clifford, in a charm
ing morning dress on her husbands
arm.
AS bowed, she looked me straight in
the eyes, her lovely face disfgured by
an expression Of scorn and bitterness.
eyes, indeed, very shocking" she
said to her husband very distinctly as
they passed on.
When 1 had bought the candles, 1
gave them over to the pretty Louise,
and charged her to take them to Miss
Ellen and tell her that 1 was obliged to
remain with Lapotin.
1t seemed cowardly in me, but who
does not fear the censure of the world
for beloved being? And how dear
Ellen was to me I felt every day moro
and more with every pulsation of my
heart. To win her love seemed the
grandest thing in life to me; still I
knew it could not come to pass without
many difficulties.
When went to Lapotiu, before the
Christmas dinner, found him for the
FIRST time in q chair entirely dressed.
He seemed very cheerful. The deep
red velvet cap which he wore became
him very well, although it showed up
the pallor of his cheeks.
My proposition Of dining upstairs
with him he declined.
"What are you thinking of, my
friend? You must tell me all about
everything downstairs, and how it all
passes off. Collect materials for good
gossip and come afterwards, and we
will smoke cigar together"
The hall was brightly lighted an6
nearly all the seats were taken when
entered. The ladies all had on theil
festive attire, more or less.
Ellen, in white cashmere dress, the
dark green foliage and red berries o.
holly in her hair and on her shoulder
looked as charming as could be.
The countess was wrapped in cost
ly shawl, and Miss .Rennert had white
lace cap on her head instead Of q blacl
one.
The worthy materfamilias wa!
decked out in light silk dress, which
was too tight for her luxuriant figure
and which cracked omfnous1y at every
movement.
Mrs. Clifford I did not dare look a
after the first glance. "Apage Satanas,
prayed inwardly. The woman wa
truly ravishingly beautiful. She wa
clad in black lace, from whose darl
pillows arose her snow-white, yer.
decolette neck and arms. On her necl
lay fine Venetian gold chain, which
glistened at every breath. was re
minded of the glittering snake with tn,
turquoise eyes.
In her hair and on her breast CLEANED
fresh pomegranate blossoms. Til
vexed expression had been laid asid'
which she had worn at dinner the pas