The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1899-12-23

dows in the roof and the sound of
music arose above the signing wind
which swept through the lofty
branches.
1T was with lively anticipations of
pleasure that we sprung from the
sleighs to the spacious portico while
/ the lightened vehicles and weary horses
sped around to the great cathedral
like barn. Before we had time to sound
the great brass knocker on the upper
leaf of the old fashioned door, it was
opened by a woody headed footman,
and l was folded in welcoming arms.
The great hall with its quaint settees,
antique book cases, old engraVings,
the huge antlers over the door and vari-
Gus hunting implements and trophies
were all wreathed with holly, mistIe-
toe and evergreens. At each side the
reception and drawing rooms were
flied with guests. keeping time to the
music of the stately minuet
Followed by Phyllis who, like my
self. had grown into a woman since 1
saw her last. l sped up the large
oaken staircase in the second hall, and
into a room which l formerly had oc-
cupied, and which had been reserved
for me. Assisted by the slaves deft
fingers. / quickly DOTTED the high
plumed hat, the long cardinal cloak
pels. which l had worn travelling
What a nervous tremor came over
me as l arrayed myself in the finery
brought with me for this was my first
appearance in an assemblage, and l in
dulged in all the dreams and hopes
which to foolish girlhood are inevitable
on such an occasion. When all was
finished | anxiously surveyed my re-
Election in the square mirror which
NJ ta h oh Of
How vividly I recall the picture
My hair was erected in a towering
structure and its natural color OBJ
scured by powder, while in the back
was a gigantic comb. My upper round
gown was of sapphire blue padusay.
with frill of finest Dutch lace about the
low, square neck and about the sleeves.
which were met at the elbow by long
embroidered gloves. Beneath was a
white satin petticoat, covered with
raised work of embroidered flowers and
vines the whole spread over a wide
hoop of the latest London fashion. EN-
broidered hose and high-heeled blue
satin shoes with large Tosettes com
pleted my toilet. Laughable as this
figure may now seem to you l smiled
with girlish pride as 1 gazed at my
reflection and swept it deep courtesy
as gave vent to my satisfaction in the
complimentary remark, 1 think you
will do. my dear
Lafayette was waiting at the foot
Of the stairs gorgeous in lace ruffies and
a pea green velvet waistcOat laced
with gold his hair curled and powdered
and held back with a smart ribbon tied
in true love knot He turned as he
heard the clicking of my high-heeled
shoes and cast over me a proud, ad-
miring glance as he gave me his arm.
Who do you think is among the
guests, Sis?' said he. The Marquis
De Luyne, the son of fathers revolu-
tonary friend. l have been looking for
him but no one seems to be able to
tell where he is. I wish to present
him to you, and to invite him to come
and tarry awhile with US before he
returns to his native country.
Il was soon surrounded with
partners. II was, as l said, my first
appearance in society, and l enjoyed it
thoroughly. Never since, it seems to
me, have / heard music to which the
feet kept time more naturally, l thrilled
with happiness and every event added
to my pleasure.
Il did not. however, forget my
brothers words, and among the throng
of partners looked out in vain for the
Marquis De Luyne. My brother also
failed to find him, although as each
splendldly dressed stranger appeared,
he made anxious inquiries. Surely, we
thought the representative of an
ancient and wealthy family, as we
knew this young nobleman to be.
would appear in raiment betting his
station.
"As I entered the dining hall OBJ
served, leaning against the high-tiled
mantle, young man who impressed
me much in spite of his plain appear
ance, for his dark hair was combed
plainly back without curl or powder
and tied simply with 9 black ribbon,
his linen very plain admitting only of
two ruffles, and he wore nothing gayer
than a dark blue cloth coat, yet there
was something singularly attractive
about him, and his appearance and at
titude partook of a graceful dignity
which contrasted favorably with that
of many elegantly attired youths
around.
Il felt angry with myself for the
strong involuntary interest I felt for
one whom l supposed, from his plain
appearance, to be some dependent OF
my grandfather AS [ looked, the
eight day clock sounded the midnight
hour, and the stranger still further ex-
cited my curiosity by raising his hand
to his forehead and making a sign,
which l did not then know the import
"Soon afterwards with several others
! descended to the cellar, which extend
ed under the whole house, and where
the negroes in winter had their quar-
ters. In the huge fireplace at one end
was an enormous flaring backlog, the
was surrounded by glowing
pine knots which threw into lurid
grotesque relief the high black rafters,
and the group of negroes. who like
animated figures. in ebony, cut curl
Gus and unheard capers to the music
Of violin. Here also looking on with
attentive interest was the young man
/ had seen in the dining hall. One of
the party pushed rudely by him. He
turned and, though not in fault, made
a graceful apology. We did not, how
ever, further notice him, dee9ning him
some inferior. but judge of our aston
ishment when my grandfather, coming
us, introduced him as the
honored guest Of the evening, the
De Luyne
We all tried to atone for our former
rudeness, but the Marquis, with we'll
bred courtesy, soon put us at our ease.
am afraid | thought of little else but
the distinguished stranger all the rest
0f the evening, and when l climbed into
4 great, high four-poster in my bed
room. fell asleep to dream of his hand
some face.
"A week sped by in merrymaking.
Lafayette and the Marquis soon be-
came fast friends, and the latter CON
'ented to accompany us home and re-
main as our guest for a short season.
The summer preceding our visit to
was a rainy one, and the
month of November had been phenom-
anally cold, freezing the river and coy
arlng the ground with hard, Singing
snow, over which the sleighs had glided |
IN our journey thither, with scarcely
any friction but during the past week