Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1895-01-17
Lady | atimer's Escape.
By CHARLOTTE NJ. BRAEME.

In spite of myself my lips quivered
as uttered his name, but my mother
did not notice it, l did not distress
her by crying out the truth-that
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 / had never dreamed
Of any return for my great love. l
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 a lively conversation;
the old lord seemed pleased and
cheered.
81 consider" he said, "that this
shooting party has been a great sue
less. Lionel, you must come back at
Christmas-co for some weeks, and
help Lady Latimer with her charades
and plays. Come with him, Colonel
North.
saw the 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, no
tears we saw them ride away. A few
weeks, only a few, and they returned
for even longer stay.
1t was a strange calm after they
had gone. We were not unhappy o.
Sull; new order Of things set in. w
were always thinking Of and prepar
ing for Christmas and the New Year
1--WE will have such Christmas o.
has never been celebrated in ENGLAND
beforef,n said Lady Latimer to me
ave will have the old banqueting-hal
made into theater; we will have cha
rades, masquerades and theatricals
we will dance and sing. When it il
frosty, we will skate. When the snow
falls and the wind walls, we will tel
ghost tales. Oh, Audrey, how happ.
we shall bel"
And she whose beautiful face hat
once expressed all the WEAKNESS tina
life could hold, caught me in her arm
and waltzed around the room with me
1t was both pitiful and touching
She thought Of nothing, talked o
nothing but Christmas; everything re
ferred to Christmas; there was nj
looking beyond it. If beautiful cos
tune was sent from London or Paris
it was reserved for Christmas.
~ think the end of the world vii
come at Christmas, Lady Latimer,"
said. ave are making such prepare
tions for it,
She laughed gaily. She was Away
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 fushe
crimson. ave used to hang up wha
we called "a kissing bunch at home.
$50 did we," 1 answered, and m
; face grew even redder than hers.
D oil suppose" she said, after
r time, ''that we could not do such
thing here at Lorton's Cray. 1t seem
to me, Audrey, the grander house il
d the more miserable it is. Think of tn
, merriment at your house at Christmas
But we shall be happy. What do 20
think Of kissing bunchP"
"If we have one at ALL" answered
. discreetly, sit must be called mistlC
Z. toe bought"
q "Well, what do yen think of
mistletoe bought" she asked
I'thought it delightful, and tol
her so.
Then she drew nearer to me. Sh
took my arms, and laid them roun
her neck.
Audrey" she whispered, 'if "
have mistletoe boueh. will any or
kiss US, 10 you thiak-you and mel