The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1891-10-21

smiled at her gratefully, as she finally
stood vase with fresh violets on the
table. Never is woman less to be
spared than in sick rooml As ] leaned
over Lapotin to bid him good night
touched the papers in my pocket inter
negatively;
"Please take care Of them," said he.
In walking down the corridor met
Ellen.
"How is hep" asked she eagerly.
Better, much better; the doctor has
no fear, and only prescribcs quiet"
"Ah! thank Godl' cried she with
beaming eyes. "Now l will run to Miss
Rennert Immediately; she is feeling so
unwel that she is still a-bed I was
waiting here for you, and thank you for
the good news"
She put out her hand, smiled sunnily
at me, and hurried down the corridor
in her childlike, graceful way. looked
after her, the morning seemed brighter
to me after this meeting. 1t was like a
draught from fresh spring to look in
those clear eyes and hear that voice!
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 l was coming from Lapotin, Ell
LENS door opened, and she beckoned to
me- Astonished, stepped to the thresh-
old.
mo, come in," said she, II wish to
show you something pretty"
There in the middle of the room stood
a lovely fr-tree, beautifully orna-
mented with sweets and colored papers.
"Only think" said Ellen, ''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 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
teased me until undertook to do it,"
said /, opening the door to go out.
ooh! that is finel" cried Ellen, you
will return soon, will you notP 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 charm
ing morning dress on her husbands
arm.
As I bowed, she looked me straight In
the eyes, her lovely face disfgured by
an expression Of scorn and bitterness.
"Yes, indeed, very shocking" she
said to her husband very distinctly as
they passed on.
When had bought the candles,
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.
II seemed cowardly In me, but who
does not fear the censure of the world
for beloved being2 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 Lapotiu, 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 IL showed VI
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 II al
passes off. Collect materials for goot
gossip and come afterwards, and We
will smoke a cigar together"
The hall was brightly lighted ant
nearly ell the seats were taken when
entered. The ladies all had on theil
festive attire, more or less.
Ellen, in white cashmere dress, tho
dark green foliage and red berries o.
|
looked ns charming as could be.
The countess was wrapped in cost
ly shawl, and Miss Rennert had Whit
lace cap on her head instead Of a blacl
one.
The worthy materfamilias wa
declred out in n light silk dress, which
was too tight for her luxuriant figure
; and which cracked ominously at every
movement.
Mrs. Clifford did not dare look a
after the first glance. "Apage Satanas,
: Iprayed inwardly. The woman wa
] truly ravishingly beautiful. She wa
, clad in black lace, from whose darl
pillows arose her snow-white, very
7 decolette neck end arms. On her necl
lay fine Venetian gold chain, whicl
glistened ct every breath. was re
minded of the glittering snake with thu
turquoise eyes.
In her hair and on her breast gleame,
fresh pomcgranate blossoms. Th'
vexed expression had been laid asid,
: which she had worn ut dinner the pas
> few days; she beamcd with goo'
humor.
Who, even myrmidon and compan
ion of Ulysses, could remain untouched
under the tender light Of her glance
which the long lashes did not hide, bu
rather made more seductive?
prayed with great fevor to m.
: patron saint; but Nine. Venus, tn
, lovely devil" was so near, could onl.
: look from her to Ellen, and that wa