Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1893-07-06

never came again, she was conscious OF
a dull aching in her heart which she
scarcely understood.
On Christmas-dav she and her father
walked down to the church together. 1t
was hard frost, and the crisp snow
cracked under foot, and the trees. pow
dered with sparkling hoar-frost, looked
like frosted silver; above, the sullen gray
sky was heavy with snow yet to come.
When young heart is gay and JOYOUS,
cold brightens and invigorates; when IL
is sad, even little sad, cold gnaws and
chilIs. Perdita hurried through the
snow and drew her fur cloak tighter
round her.
1t was little. simple old church, with
square low tower Of great antiquity.
The congregation were mostly laborers
and their families. The clergy
man was very old, and during his life no
restoration could be made. Dita had
placed holly wreaths in the window. and
all the best flowers she could find In the
green houses decked the church; and all
eyes were fixed admiringly on her work.
They came In and went straight to the
sources pew, which faced the pulpit;
it was an old-fashioned place, and Per-
dita knelt down covering her face with
her slender fingers. Quite in the back
ground came in among the laborers an
unwonted figure. Sir Edward Norton,
looking very Ill and worn, sat down at
the far end Of the church, whore he
could see the fair outlines Of Perdita's
face and her waving golden hair above
the old oak pew. He did not move when
during the service the congregation
rose up and knelt down, but sat still.
leaning forward with his eyes fixed on
her as though he would print her image
on his brain.
Then came hYmn-the glorious
Christmas hymn, which is grand even
when sung by school children in viii
lage church--and in.the middle OF the
sacred strain he stole away out Per-
dita looked half round but she never
ceased singing A ray Of light pierced
through the somber sky and lighted up
her hair till it seemed to shine like a
halo.
A dog-cart was waiting outside,
portmanteau within it, and Edward
Norton was driven away to the station.
"Dita," said her father gently, as they
walked home, "Do you know who was
in church''
''Sr Edward Norton, " she said quietly.
'You knew?'
81 thought So"
cit was his good-by Lady Norton
came yesterday. She has persuaded
him to go abroad-he has been i'll. He
goes to-day"
Let us walk faster, dady-it is very
cold" And they walked quickly en-.
Mamie was able to come into the din
ing room that day, and afterward the
usual distribution of dinners and gifts
took place. BY o'clock all was over.
and Dita nestled into her favorite little
corner by Mrs. LovePs sofa with a book,
and jacques and Andrew went out for a
walk Suddenly the doorbell rang with
a loud vigorous pull, and within five
minutes a whole tribe Of Lee Astons and
Orchards poured into the room-all the
schoolroom party-headed by Meta
They had come. they said, to carry off
Perdita, by force ii necessary; they were
to have charades and tabloauX vivants,
and every kind Of amusement for chill
dren; and Jack had come home and per-
suaded his mother to send them off to
bring the solitary little home bird into
their merry circle.
Perdita's cheek flushed. and there
came to her a longing wish tolbe one Of
the children again, merry and happy,
and free from care; there came to her
mind the refrain Of that pathetic song,-
make a child again just for tonight
She was tired of the blank-tIred Of the
long day; her youth resented care. she
was so young.
Mrs. Lovers watchtul eye saw and
read Dita's face. and she accepted for
her eagerly, and would not listen to her
assertions that she could not leave them
alone on Christmas day.
She was to return that night; and in
less than quarter of an hour. Perdita
and a box containing all that she would
want, were packed closely into the little
omnibus full Of children. 1t was gay
scene into which Dita came, blinking her
large eyes, from the darkness; and she
was quickly Invested Of her warm wraps.
coaXed and petted, and made much of,
and immensely amused by all the merry
games going on among children and el-
derS together.
TO BE CONTINUED.