Marshall County independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1897-1902, 1901-01-25
:: < x :. :: * :: * :: :; ): :: :: =: ): * ): !: ::
* *
s In the EOWler'S !:
!: Snare% %%& +
* by NJ b. "AN"ELL y:
:: =; =: * =: :: =. =: =. :: 3: y: :: =:
BY NJ. b. NJ ANWE LII
CHAPTER VIII.


over, and the gentlemen as we'll as tn,
ladies had deserted the dining room
for outside. under the solemn Christ
mas stars, and drawn up in semi
circle on the snow-coyered terrace
were the mummers shouting in coarse
unison an old world catch:
God rest you, mercy gentlemen,
Let nothing you dismay."
In the large hall, where the vivid
holly berries blazed red on the stee!
armOr of the knightly figures, and in
festo0ns on the tapestried walls,a good
~ company was assembled-the house
party OF guests. with a background OF
the domestic of the establishment.
Ana this is England, and an Eng
fish Christmas eve,' A pair OF small.
thin hands were childishiy clapped.
"Oh. l never dreamed it would be so
lovely. so delightful
A bread smile went round. for the
excited speaker was the bride.
wonders VIII never cease, silently
thought Geryis, as he stood amazed.
GLADLY had since the afternoon thrown
of the stGpOr of melancholy that so
often oppressed her now and puzzled
her husband. She had been at dinner
the gayest Of the party. all smiles and
merry quips.
i wish snsdell could just see her
now said Gervis to himself. The old
chap would stare. He'd have to swal-
low his dismal croakings about dec inc
and wasting away. She's as merry as
4 cricket
But Ansdell could not see the trans
formation for he had shut himself up
Immediately on arriving With a ire
mendous headache; and It seemed as il
GLADLY in his absence had lifted her.
self as a plant raises its head after the
storm has passed.
Even wilful, the bride had escaped
from the elders of the party-Lady
Jane and the stately dowagers. She
would have none Of their wearisome
cOngratulatory speeches. There was
Out one person in all Temple Dene
GLADLY wanted, and that was Leila
Desmond 10 whom the bride had taken
3 wild fancy She would have none
by her side but Leila; and Syb watched
The pair with glowering eyes that
smOuldered wrathIulIy.
They stood, these two, in the fore
ground OF the warm, dazzlingly bright
interior. conspicuous figures, for both
Wore white.
At the brides throat and in her
curly hair diamonds sparkled; while
Leila, in her dead-white Grape. simply
made frock. had not a single ornament
save her own sweet smile and bunch
OF dewy. heavy-headed Christmas roses
fastened in the folds of her bodice.
Il love your dear old-fashioned
Christmas customs, went on GLADLY.
BuJ this time it was for Leila's ear
only she spoke, and she squeezed her
new friends hand under cover of her
satins and laces is the two girls stood
lose side by side.
I've read heaps about the way you
keep Christmas in the old country. and
know that old legend in verse, The
Nlistletoe Bough.
oh, do YOU" Leila turned her
soft eyes On the bride. Then. you
know. Geryis would tell you that many I
people think the tragedy actually hap I
'ened here at Temple-Dene?"
Mo" GLADLY gasped. Then she
Wonder he did not
Geryis. it seemed. had told his new
wife next to nothing about the Old
tome Of his ancestors.
oh. well, We are not exactly sure
on know, said Leila, hesitatingIv:
but there is tradition that a bride
I the family was lost, and found dead
an old blackjack chest which stands
n the gallery I'D yonder.'
She pointed to the gallery running
Ound the large hall.
And many people firmly believe she
vas the Ginevra of the poem. But of
curse il is only hearsay, we are not
ositive."
L must see it, Oh, | must. Please
axe me at once," And GLADLY caught
p her satin skirts to rush off.
Wait, Mrs. TempletOn-please wait
few moments" urged Leila. LAYING
er hand gently on the American girls
ound. white arm. The mummers are
ii village folk who have known us
nd Geryis all their lives They would
e terribly hurt if you ran away be-
ore the carols are finished"
Ii was Leila all over to be ever
thoughtful of the feelings of others.
But / always do just what I've a
mind to do" said GLADLY, half fret
ully.
You shall see the old oak chest to-
borrow. Mrs Templeton. promise
on that" said Leila, much as she
'ould have sought to pacify a frac-
Ious child. And GLADLY, docile enough
there she loved-and already she
1yed Leila-turned with smiling eyes
D the half-circle of upturned rustic
ices out on the snow under the stars.
Presently GLADLY, pink and tremu-
JUS. was led out upon the steps to bow
er thanks
Her be rare and sweet to look upon
nd that happy, tod bless she we
say''-the whisper went round
mong the mummers.
But Mister Gervis, he do look grave.
do. same's he mad the weight O.
II England on his shoulders" some
ody added. And there were one or
To head-shakes, for we can't keen
1r heart secrets locked mp from our