Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1901-09-04

much encountered by his robes OF ici- |
cles and snow TO join the dancers. ana |
holding his hand was little. misshapen
syb,-she, too. perforee, being a spec
tator and never an actor in the merry
games OF lie.
cts a pretty sight. isn't II. little
syb?" heartily said Gervis, determined
in his honest. manly fashion 20 be
uroud OF the wife he had won.
GLADLY, light as a sprite. was dart
ing up and down in the old-fashioned
dance. and every eye was fixed upon
her dainty figure. in It's dress of sill
very broeade. She. too. had blood-red
berries fastened in the folds OF her
wedding gown and great bunch on
her left shoulder.
III Leila had on dress OF silver
brocade. and diamonds on her neck.
she would look thousand times pref
tier than that thin girl." was Syb's
harsh reply. as she glowered al the
shining little hgure dancing up and
down the middle.
Before the startled Geryis could coll
lect himself TO reply d!sagreeable.
low laugh made both syb and he turn
quickly.
TempIe-Dene was liberty hall. and
shs scientist had again shut himself
up In his room all day. deep In some
abstruse calculations, doubtless But
the music aud laughter had drawn
the hermit from his cell. and he stood
close behind them. with q strange
hooking smile on his thin lips.
"LIltle missy has distinct powers Of
discrimination. evidently" Paul Ans.
dell said. nKing hts black eyes full on
the fruwning face Of the deformed
ehild Al the same time be lifted his
right hand. but. on second thought,
dropped II a, his side fartlyely.
You ought To have been among the
merry dancers. AnRdeil." said Gcryis.
a Lizzie puzzled by his new friend.
The merry dancarsG" repeated the
scientist quickly. why. do you know
what you are saying The merry
dancers are the famous northern
lights. aud we folk across the herring
pond have a superstition that they
are never seen save before some ter
T.0le calamity"
While Paul was speaking his gaze
grcw more intent, and his dark eyes
seemed 10 be drawing out the soul
OF the reformed child. The frown had
faded from her upiifted face and in
It's stead an cxpcctan, look leaped. II
was as though she we're saying dumb
ly.
Il am ready, What would you have
with me. my masteFg"
Well" rc,ortcd Geryis. whose eyes
wandering back TO the quaint old
dance had lost the byplay. ~ the meT-
ny dancers are to bring a calamity.
Il must be upon yourself. Alnsdell. see
inE we have no such superstition
among ns tina; l know Of" And he
moved on, with train Of clamorlng
children at his heels
Tho dance was over. and laughing,
chattcring and fiuttcring. the dancers.
old and young. gathered around Lady
Jane. who. determined TO have a va
r!ety OF entertainment ut her Christ
mas party. was urging shrinking.
shy boy To recita THE Mistletoe
Bough"
You know. Bobby. you can do i
so beautifully. and Mrs. Tempieton
would Hike TO hear II so much"
Il Bobby vane was the big brother
n from Elton or the small lIsper In blue
velvet who chung 20 Gladys skirts
when he could.
N Bobby was a born reciter. but. UNI
fortunately. shy-horrlbly shy.
u However. at last, cajoied, hustled
and goaded. the boy, with his ears
n pink and his knees knocking together
Al for he had never faced so large an
auhicnee-rushed at his task.
~ After the FIRST line Bobby felt his
feet. His voice was good. clear SWEEP
and round as bell: IL showed no hint
OF breaking as yet.
The gay company, brcathless and IN
tent closed round the youthful recitel
as the old legend in verse fell in clear
dropping syllables from his lips:
The mistletoe hung in the castle hall
and the hoily-branch shone on the ole
oak wall,
And the baron's retalners were blith'
and gay,
Keeping their Christmas holiday.
And as the poem went on all were
torcibly impressed by the curious simi
iarity OF their present surrounding
to those detailed by the reciter
The old world ballroom. with 1t
dark oak rafters. It's rows of gntterini
armor-for Temple-Dene was note'
Tor Its armor--the "goodiy company
OF gallants and fair danes, the merry
children. the old paneled walls blush
ing red with lavish wealth OF scarle
molly berries: while here and Their
and everywhere. in the most unex
pected places, large punches OF mistie
Toe hung to tempt and entrap the un
wary And, above all. there was tn
chief feature, the bride
! The star OF that goodly company.
Il think We ought To carry it on