The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-12-24
FATE AT THE
AUCTION BLOCK.
A COMMERCIAL CHRISTMAS STORY.
BY
PROF. CLARENCE MILES BoU-
TELLE,
Copyright, 1897
L 1891. A CHRISTMAS OF LOSSES.

L 1891. A CHRISTMAS OF LOSSES.
We had a large dinner party at Wynd-
ham Woods Christmas Day. I think it
was one Of the most satisfactory dinners
atwhich was ever present. That may
have been because Lucille Van Etten was
one Of the guests.
had loved Lucille for five years, that
was ever since my father moved into the
neighborhood, spent a fortune in land
scape gardening, another in building and
furnishing, and established Wyndham
Woods in what had previously been an
ugly wilderness of forest. had loved
Lucille from the first moment had seen
her. And I had promised myself the
pleaure of telling her my love on this day
the pleasure Of seeing her blush and
smile and dimple-the pleasure of her
words of love, the tender touch of her
kind hand, the shy kiss of deathless af
lection, in return for what l should do
and say. For l was sure that Lucille
loved me. l was as certain of it as was
Of my own existence.
There wasn't rival in the case. For
five years the Wyndhams and the Van
Ettens, living in the country, apart from
all in all to one another. Five years be-
fore had been a boy Of almost 16-Lucile
a girl of two years less. We had the
same private teachers, studying some
times at her house and sometimes at
mine, until 1 went away to take up the
study Of law. We had had the same
amusements. We had the same tastes
the same likes and dislikes. She had
never given second glance TO another
young man-nor 1 TO another young
woman.
1 knew the match was fitting and
suitable one. too, so far as the social and
financial aspects of it were concerned.
And / knew her father and my parents
hoped it might occur. Those facts might,
am sorry to say, have been obstacles in
the way Of some modern marriages But
] was fellow of good sense-if l am in
position that compels me to say it for my
self.
Gen. Lawrence Van Etten had won
fame in the army. He had won fortune
by speculation. 1t was said he was worth
81 800, 900, though he always modestly dis
counted that statement 80 per cent. His
daughter had inherited her mothers
fortune year or two before we came to
Wyndham Woods II was known to be on
the happier side of the $780, 900 mark.
My father had the reputation of being
one of the most successful real estate
operators in the west. Places in which
he had no monetary interest were either
very old or very new-old enough to be
fossilized, or too new to have an exist
ence elsewhere than on paper. I had
heard men of Judgment estimate his
property at $4,000, 600; men of more con-
sentative habits-and less knowledge
had said S5,000,000; Gen. Lawrence Van
Etten, the best friend he had in the
world, had put the figure half way be-
tween the two extremes. Father himself,
when questioned, always laughingly said
he didn't know his manner, though never
his words, asserted that he didn't care.
The dinner party though large. was ex-
elusive. The Van Ettens were the only
guests from the neighborhood. Friend
and relatives from distance made up the
rest. There were many boys and girls
from the little folks of 5 up to the ones
who were on the threshold of the teens
There were mlddle-aged men and women,
and few whose steps were already on
the sleeper slopes of life's afternoon.
But only Lucille and could justly be de-
nominated young folks"
My memory of the dinner itself Is ra-
ther vague and instinct There was
much of kindly intercourse andlfriendly
merriment. But, on the whole, it was a
more formal affair than l really liked.
besides, wanted to be alone with Luz
Gle, and when dinner was done was not
long in drawing her away, and out for
walk through the grounds.