People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1895-01-17
Lady | atimer'S Escape.
BY CHARLOTTE M. BRAEME.
CHAPTER VIII-CONTINUED.

CHAPIER illl-C0NTINUED.
In spite of myself my lips quivered
as l uttered his name, but my mother
did not notice it. l did not distress
her by crying out the truth-that l
had been willing to barter the happi-
ness of my whole life for one months
bliss; it would have broken her heart.
told her no untruth, | did not even
deceive her, for l had never dreamed
Of any return for my great love. |
never misunderstood his kindness or
his gay, chivalrous fashion. 1t would
soon be over now; no need to break
my mothers heart as well as my own.
The beautiful month was drawing to
an end, but before any of us had be-
gun to realize what the parting would
be like, Lord Latimer introduced a
new feature. One day, just before
dinner, Captain Fleming had gone into
the library to speak to him. Colonel
North followed. Business of some
kind took Lady Latimer and myself
there; we had lively conversation;
the old lord seemed pleased and
cheered.
81 consider" he said, THAT this
shooting party has been a great sue
cess. Lionel, you must come back at
Christmas-come for some weeks, and
help Lady Latimer with her charades
and plays. Come with him, Colonel
North.
sawtthe colonel look first at Lady
Latimer. Her beautiful eyes smiled
upon him.
81 shall be only too delighted" he
replied; and that was how it happened
that parting lost its pain.
Little matter if they left when Sep
TENDER was over if they returned for
Christmas. When the end came, and
the day dawned on which they left
LOTIONS Cray, it was with smiles, not
tears we saw them ride away. A few
weeks, only few, and they returned
for even longer stay.
1t was a strange calm after they
had gone. We were not unhappy or
Sull; new order of things set in. We
were always thinking of and prepar-
ing for Christmas and the New Year.
1--WE will have such a Christmas as
has never been celebrated in England
beforef," said Lady Latimer to me.
ave will have the old banqueting-hall
made into a theater; we will have cha
rades, masquerades and theatricals;
we will dance and sing, When it is
frosty, we will skate. When the snow
falls and the wind walls, we will tell
ghost tales. Oh, Audrey, how happy
we shall ben
And she whose beautiful face had
once expressed all the WEAKNESS that
life could hold, caught me in her arms
and waltzed around the room with me.
1t was both pitiful and touching.
She thought of nothing, talked Of
nothing but Christmas; everything re-
ferred to Christmas; there was no
looking beyond it. If beautiful cos
tune was sent from London or Paris,
it was reserved for Christmas.
ii think the end of the world will
come at Christmas, Lady Latimer,"
said. ave are making such prepare
tons for it"
She laughed gaily. She was always
laughing now, and sweet, glad con-
tent rested on her fair face.
81 never knew BEFORE" she cried,
"what happy time Christmas was,
Audrey" and then her face flushed
crimson. ave used to hang up what
we called "a kissing bunch at home.
$50 did We" l answered, and my
face grew even redder than hers.
Ill suppose" she said, after &
time, "that We could not do such 8
thing here at LOTIONS Cray. 1t seem!
to me, Audrey, the grander house is
the more miserable it is. Think Of the
merriment at your house at Christmas
But we shall be happy. What do yol
think of kissing bunch?"
ssIf we have one at all. answered
discreetly. sit must be called a mistle
toe bought"
"Well, what do yen think OF
mistletoe bought" she asked.
thought it delightful, and tolC
her so.
Then she drew nearer to me. Sh
took my arms, and laid them roun'
her neck.
audrey" she whispered, "if W
have a mistletoe bough, will any on
kiss US. DO you thiak-you and meF