The San Francisco call., 1896-12-25

through the night, and drove him out in
the early morning to the avenue gate,
near which he had LETT the body of Lance
lot Hervey the night before.
He was out before light, remem bering
dismally as he went down the avenue that
it was the morning of Christmas eve and
that a strange Christmas would be the
one that dawned for him on the morrow.
All Christmas joy had been put away
from him by his own hand. True, he had
had little of it during the past few years,
but he had taken certain kind of pleas
ure in the Joy OF those around him. and
he had been looking forward to the de-
light of his grandchildren in the days
festivities. Now he felt as if their laugh
ter, their merry words, would pierce him
to the heart.
He reached the spot where Lancelot
Hervey had fallen and at once he stood
aghast. There was no trace of him left.
Snow had fallen heavily during the night
and had drifted higher than ever up the
bank already formed. The mound was
white and smooth; no hand or foot could
have touched it for many hours. And the
frost had deepened steadily, so that the
bank of snow was almost as hard as stone.
The Squire stood and looked at it in
dismay. If Lancelot Hervey were still
there he must be foot or two deep under
the snow. And it would take spade to
get him out. unless the snow melted, and
snow heaped up in that manner was not
very likely to melt. ~Mr. Carteret remem-
bered that one year a bank of drifted
snow did not melt for full SIX weeks.
What could he do? What excuse could
ne make for having the snow removed-a
thing which we had never done before ?
OF course if it were carted away the body
would be discovered-ag ghastly discovery
CHASTITY sight. The Squire turned sick
at the idea.
Perhaps, however, some one had seen
the body already and carried it away. In
that case the Squire wouldn't hear of it
directly. ANY event of Importance in the
village was always brought to his notice,
and If stranger had been found dead in
the snow he was sure to have report of
the death before very long. He resolved,
therefore, 10 go home and wait for few
hours before giving any orders atout the
snow. If no case of sudden death were
brought to his notice before the day was
out, he should know that Hervey still
lay beneath that heap OF snow, and he
would take measures accordingly.
But he could not face Eleanor at break
fast. He felt that he had wronged her too
much. He went back to his own room
and feigned some slight indispostion
which prevented him from breakfasting
with the rest Of the family. Later in the
day he descended to his study and sat
there doing nothing, anxiously awaiting
the notification that he expected of the
sad and sudden death of stranger in
the snow. But he heard nothing of the
kind.
Anything going on, Stevens?" he
could not help inquiring nerVously OF the
bailiff, who came to him in the course of
the morning, and Stevens answered stol-
idly:
"Nothing whatsomever, sir.
Aunt Maria came to see what was the
matter when she found that he did not
appear at luncheon, but he sent her away
rather fretfully. A glass of wine and a
biscuit were all he required, he said. And
he did not wish to be disturbed.
"I am sure your father is i'll. dear,n said
Aunt Maria to Eleanor, in tone of
anxious foreboding. '0r else something
is wrong"
II hope not" said Eleanor. And it
added yet another to the many pangs she
had to endure, that she could not go to
her father and ask for his confidence.
at dusk little Molly, who knew nothing
OF her grandfather's desire to be alone,
stole into the study, and stood beside his
chair.
Are you better, grandpapa, dear? Shall
you be ready for the Christmas tree to-
night?"
SIS that you, Molly?" said the Squire in
curiously shaken voice. Come here,
child, let me feel you. | have been dream
ing, think"
She climb bed upon his knee instantly and
without the slightest fear.
you'll be we'll enough to come to the
tree. won't your" she asked.
1.-THE tree. my dear?'
1.-The Christmas tree, grandpapa. It is
going to be lovely, and there are presents
for every one there'H be a present for
you, grandpapa. go you must come"
The grandfather sighed, and drew the
child little closer to his breast.
"You mustn't sigh, grandpapa. That's
like mother; she does sigh such great
deal! If we get the white Christmas. I
shouldn't think you would want to sigh
any more"
What do you mean, my darling?''
II mean the white Christmas inside,n
said Molly, quantity. Love and forgive
ness and goodness everywhere. you Know,