The Red Cloud chief., 1900-12-21
CHAPTER IX.-(Continued.)

Looking on. thankful for his wife's
temporary brightness. was Gervis, toe
much encountered by his robes OF ici-
Giles and snow to join the dancers, and
holding his hand was little. misshapen
Syb-she, too, perforce, being a spec
tator and never an actor In the merry
games OF life.
ITS a pretty sight, isn't It. little
Syb?" heartily said Gervis. determined
In his honest, manly fashion to be
proud Of the wife he had won.
GLADLY, light as a sprite, was dart
ing up and down in the old-fashioned
dance, n every eye vas fixed upon
her dainty figure. in it's dress of sill
berries fastened in the folds OF her
wedding gown and a great bunch On
her left shoulder.
IF Leila had on a dress OF silver
brocade. and diamonds on her neck.
she would look a thousand times pref
tier than that thin girl." was Syb's
harsh reply, as she glowered at the
shining little figure dancing up and
down the middle.
Before the startled Gervis could coll
lect himself to reply a ~disagreeable,
low laugh made both Syb and he turn
quickly.
Temple-Dene was liberty hall. and
the scientist had again shut himself
up in his room all day, deep in some
abstruse calculations, doubtless. But
the music and laughter had drawn
the hermit from his cell, and he stood
close behind them, with a strange,
hooking smile on his thin lips.
Little missy has distinct powers Of
discrimination, evidently" Paul Ans
dell said, fixing his black eyes full on
the frowning face OF the deformed
child. At the same time he lifted his
right hand, but. on second thought,
dropped 1t at his side furtively.
you ought to have been among the
merry dancers, Ansdell," said Gervis.
q little puzzled by his new friend.
THE merry dancers?" repeated the
scientist quickly. why, do you know
what you are saying? The merry
dancers are the famous northern
lights, and we folk across the herring
pOhu huNC u bupCiotitioh ShuS any
are never seen saw before some ter
role calamity"
While Paul was speaking his gaze
grew more intent, and his dark eyes
seemed to be drawing u the soul
Of the deformed child. The frown had
faded from her uplifted face and in
Its stead an expectant look leaped. 1t
vvan M fhn,Uh che uyara unvfpu dumh-
ly:
II am ready! What would you have
with me, my master?"
WELL" retorted Gervis, whose eyes
wandering back to the quaint old
dance had lost the byplay, "if the mer-
ry dancers are to bring a calamity,
1t must be upon yourself. Ainsdell. see
ing we have no such superstition
among us that / know Of" And he
moved off, with a train Of clamoring
children at his heels.
The dance was over, and laughing,
chattering and futtering, the dancers,
old and young, gathered around Lady
Jane, who, determined to have a va
riety Of entertainment at her Christ
mas party. was urging a shrinking,
shy boy to recite THE Mistletoe
Bough."
you know, Bobby, you can do 1t
o beautifully, and Mrs. Templeton
yould like to hear 1t 30 much"
Bobby Vane was the big brother
rom Elton of the small lisper in blue
elvet who chung to Gladys skirts
,hen he could.
Bobby was a born ~reciter. but. I'M
ortunately. shy-horribly shy.
However. at last, eajoled, hustled
nd goaded, the boy, with his ears
ink and his knees knocking together
for he had never faced so large an
udience-rushed at his task.
= After the first line Bobby felt his
BET. His voice was good, clear. sweet
nd round as a bell; 1t showed no hint
OF breaking as yet.
The gay company. breathless and in
tent, closed round the youthful reciter
as the old legend In verse fell in clear,
dropping ~syllables from his lips:
The mistletoe hung in the castle hall,
and the holly-branch shone on the old
oak wall,
And the baron's retainers were blithe
and gay,
Keeping their Christmas holiday.
And as the poem went on all were
forcibly impressed by the curious SINH
larity Of their present surroundings
to those detailed by the ~reciter.
The old world ballroom. with its
dark oak r~afters, its rows of glittering
armor-for Temple-Dene was noted
for its armor-the "goodly company
Of gallants and fair danes, the merry
children. the old panelsd walls blush
ing red with lavish wealth of scarlet
holly berries. while here and there