The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1891-09-24

me. AStonlSncu, j stepped 10 the thresh-
old.
mo. come in" said she, II wish to
show you something pretty"
There in the middle Of the room stood
lovely fr-trce, beautifully orna-
mented with sweets and colored papers.
''Oniy think" said Ellen. 1.-THE little
English children Of whom | spoke yes
terday have never seen 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 l
cannot go out: will you be so kind
Il will get the very best candles for
you, and will fasten them myself. 1t is
not such an easy task: my sisters always
teased me until | undertook to do it,
said /, opening the door to go ont.
''Oh! that is fine!' cried Ellen, "you
will return soon. will you noto 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.
''Ycs. indeed, very shocking she
said to her husband very distinctly as
they passed on.
When l 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 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 felt every day more
and more with every pulsation of my
heart. To win her love seemed the
grandest thing in life to me: still
knew it could not come to pass without
many difficulties.
When | went to Lapotin, before the
Christmas dinner, found him for the
first time in 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 a good
gossip and come afterwards, and we
will smoke cigar together"
| The hall was brightly lighted and
nearly all the seats were taken when /
entered. The ladies all had on their
festive attire, more or less.
Ellen, in white cashmere dress, the
dark green foliage and red berries Of
holly In her hair and on her shoulder,
looked as charming as could be.
The countess was wrapped in a cost
" shawl, and Miss Rennert had a white
lace cap on her head instead of black
one.
The worthy materfamilias was
decked out in light silk dress, which
was too tight for her luxuriant figure,
and which cracked ominously at every
movement.
Mrs. Clifford did not dare look at
after the first glance. "Apage Satanas,"
prayed inwardly. The woman was
truly ravishingly beautiful. She was
clad in black lace, from whose dark
pillows arose her snow-white, very
decolette neck and arms. On her neck
lay fine Venetian gold chain. which
glistened at every breath. was re-
minded of the glittering snake with the
turquoise eyes.
In her hair and on her breast cleaned
fresh pomegranate blossoms. The
vexed expression had been laid aside
which she had worn at dinner the past
few days; she beamed with good
humor.
Who, even a myrmidon and compan-
under the tender light of her glance,
which the long lashes did not hide, but
rather made more seductive?
l prayed with great fervor to my
patron saint: but Nine. Venus, the
lovely devil" was SO near, could only
look from her to Ellen, and that was
dangerous, very dangerous.
! I repeated to myself that only a
''lover's quarrel between the count
and this beautiful woman could have
regained me her favor.
l found it highly interesting to study
his angry face. In the midst Of my tri-
umph l suddenly discovered that the
play of the face and eyes were not
meant to entrap my poor soul.
/ saw across the table a new arrival,
apparently an Englishman. His APP
pearance was dignified and distin-
guished; he'seemed quite young. Not q
second did his watery blue eyes leave
Mrs. Gifford's face, and she was con-
scious OF it. Therefore that gracious
smile, those seductive glances! 1t gave
me chance to cool off. which was
fortunate for me; otherwise l should
have felt it my bounden duty to fall in
love again for an evening out Of simple
gratitude.
When Louis handed me the roast, ]
asked him quietly who the stranger
was.
"A distinguished Englishman," said
he impressively, "a baronet."
''Now," thought l, 1.-The clergyman
will be happy to see an English baronet
as well as German count in his pretty
wife's triumphal train.''
Count Degenfeld drank an unusual
quantity of champagne, and the air on
his side Of the table seemed SO full of
electricity that storm was to be
feared. Finally the noisy crowd arose
from the table, and the company passed
into the large hall in a merry mood.
There in the center stood an enormous
Christmas tree, which reached from
floor to ceiling, and was brightly light
ed with capdles. Besides that, it was
loaded with presents On slips OF pa
per were written the names Of those
who were to receive them; the donor