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


where the lights Of the stately conveni
shone through snow-laden trees.
Josie and Bella We're pupils at the
convent, and by right of them theil
friends were privileged to attend the
midnight Mass. Passing through the
quiet, dimly lighted corridors, they en-
tered the adjoining Church, where the
moonlight streamed with wierd effect
through the stained glass Of the win
dowS. Fronting them was the altar
and beside it the crib of the Infant
Eedeemer, the beautiful primitive scene
framed in flowers and brilliantly illu-
minated from above by a star.
Service had already commenced, and
clouds Of fragrant incense rolled
through the dim arches, and the notes
of the organ came in SobbinS waves
through the Church. deep hush fell
on the kneeling congregation, and pres
emily the bird-like tones Of Bella so
prano thrilled the silent throng with the
simple. beautiful notes Of the AdeSte
Fidelis. How different are the thoughts
and sentiments with which we listen to
the sweet, familiar hymn as time goes
on, and we glide from youth to ma
turityi
The Livingstons fingered in the
Chapel until the lights were all out
excepting those around the crib. when
one Of the nuns reckoning, they fol-
lOMRu lnlO d sinai AbOllAf ~
spread a collation., and where Bella and
Josie waited to smother them with
kisses.
Home again, over the crisp, shining
snow While the merry voices OF the
younger party kept time with the
sleigh bells, the elder ones some silent,
for through their hearts, mingling with
the merry voices of the present, echoed
the phantom voices of the past
Not until the LiVingstons had re-
turned from the late service at st.
Stephens, and ample justice had been
done TO the traditional turkeys and
plum pudding, were the mysterious
doors of the library unfolded and the
contents disclosed to their eager gaze.
Mamma and Kitty, her eldest daugh-
ter and first lieutenant had been busy
there all the day before, and VIII had
guarded the entrance from lntruders.
The sight however, which now greet
ed the eXpectant eyes amply repaid the
enforced self denial
Daylight was excluded and the shad-
ed burners diffused a sOftened radl-
ancn over a lovely scene. From the
ceiling opposite the door was suspended
a lovely Christmas Child, welcoming
TO entrance. over the mirror was hunS
a heavy wreath wherein shone the
waxen leaves and scarlet berries OF the
auspiciouS holly, while over WINDOWS,
eOTn1r0S ana nantes AIdlltu gu lolAlNE
of evergreens intersperSed with bright,
fragrant flowers from the conservatory,
and in one end of the spacious apart
7nent was constructed a grOttO within
which was a life-sized representation
of the Child-Jesus, while grouped
around were the obscure witnesses OF
his glorious nativity. The illusion was
perfect, and one could easily fancy,
looking through the heavy Turkish
NH 6paDn6 the entrance,
that the scene was the same on which
The adoring Magi had gaZed nineteen
centuries before.
In the opposite end of the room was
the heavily laden tree, and standing IN
its brilliant light a figure disguised as
Santa Claus 1t did not take moment,
however to recognize through the pow
dered hair and snowy beard the saucy
rnile and bright eyes of Will. The m
terastine ceremony of dispensing the
.yifts concluded, the children adjourn
"a 70 the long hall as affording an eX-
tended field for operations. A process
sion was soon formed, led by SUSIE
French doll. a fine young lady IN SILK
attire. who by herself DrOmenaded the.
floor alternately lifting a viniagrette to
her delicate nostrils. and languidly f1ut-
tering a fan. This accomplished female
also dispensed music from within her
graceful figure, though its harmony
vas broken in upon by the whistle of
a. train of elevated cars the bugle blast
of a ally-hO coach and the various clat-
ter of other mechanical TOYS, Whlch
followed in her wake, greatly TO Inc
classification of Paurs quaint little Sill
yer gray skye terrier, which gave vent
TO its baffied curiosity in series o.
sharp, velping barks.
Kitty seated herself at the piano, Jo-
sic. Bella, VIII and Christy surrounded
her. and while she played their fresh
young voices rang out with
The mistletoe shone on the castle wall,
And the holly branch shore on the old
oak wall.
And various other Christmas carols
and songs.
The warm light of the fire cast a sort
of halo on grandmamma's fine old fig
1ire. in its dress Of rich, dove-colored
six. a. folded kerchief fastened over her
bosom. with a fine shell cameo, and
cap of delicate Malines lace GROWING
her snowy puffs. She held in her hand
q Dainted satin fire screen, and her eyes
had a. faraway expression as they roved
from it to the Minton tiles on the
hearth.
AT last the songs were ended and the
singers thronged around the fireplace.
"Grandmamma, how do you like my
presents2 De you think 1 viii ever De
an artist2 Is the picture like?
And Josie looked over the old ladVs
shoulder at the screen which she held,
and on which was pictured a gabled old
mansion, suggesting revolutionary
days.
J hope You viii realize your wish,
my darling; though if IAwere prophet
enough to read your DESTINY, 1 think l
would predict for YOU rather the came
Of Angelica kaufman than Fra Angel
lea Yes, you have faithfully repro
duced the dear old house in which l
spent so many happy Christmas days
And grandmamma smiled lovingly in
the fresh young face bent over her.
- story. a story ClamOred the nar-
~ now. eagerly, while Josie sad, taking
the withered hand in her own: i know
there is a story among those happy old
Christmas times. and since / have done
so well, You really cannot refuse me. -
you certainly have a strong case,
nv dear. Well, Christmas is with US
but once a year. ! may not be with
YOU the next one, so l VIII relate TO
YOU an adventure connected with
C,hsistnas in the dear OLD home long, |
long ago:
Il was Just IS that Christmas and
had lust returned from England where, |
for several years l was a pupil at a
fashionable boarding school, where L
had learned to strum on the spinnet, to
dance a minuet, to work impossible fig |
ures on. canvas 10 walk with the help |
Of n blackboard, and had acquired va
r-ious other accomplishments deemed !
indispensable TO the young lady of that |
1,eriod and doubtless ornamental, since 1
hey We're certainly OF no use what !
exec,
nGrandpapa and Grandmamma Sclie-
nerhorn who reSdded in the old man
sion whose picture you see on the |