Marshall County independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1897-1902, 1901-02-01

Looking on, thankful for his wife'S
temporary brightness, was Gervis. too
much encountered by his robes of lei
Giles and snow to join the dancers, an l
holding his hand was little. misshapen
Syb-she, too. perforce, being 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 OldfashiOned
dance, and every eye was fixed upon
her dainty figure. in its dress of sill
very brocade She, too, had blood-red
berries fastened in the folds of her
wedding gown and great bunch on
her left shoulder.
IF Leila had on a dress of silver
brosade. and diamonds on her neck.
she would look 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 col
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,
mocking 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 it at his side furtiyely.
You ought to have been among the
merry dancers. Ansdell." said Gervis.
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
pond have a superstition that they
are never seen save before some ter
r4Ole calamity"
While Paul was speaking his gaze
grew more intent, and his dark eyes
seemed to be drawing out the soul
of the defOrmed child. The frown had
faded from her uplifted face and in
its stead an expectant look leaped 1t
was as though she were saying dumb
ly:
Il am ready, What would you have
with me. my master?"
Well" retorted Geryis. whose eyes
wandering back to the quaint old
dance had lost the byplay. if the mer
~ dancers are to bring a calamity,
t must be upon yourself, Ainsdell. see
ing We have no such superstition
among us that I know Of" And he
moved off, with a train of clamOring
children at his heels.
The dance was over, and laughing,
chattering and fiuttering, the dancers.
old and young. gathered around Lady
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 it
so beautifully. and Mrs. Templeton
would like to hear 1t so much!"
Bobby Vane was the big brother
from Elton of the small lisper in blue
velvet who chung to Gladys skirts
when he could
Bobby was born reciter. but. I'M
fortunately. shy-horribly shy.
However. at last, cajoled. hustled
and gOaded, the boy, with his ears
pink and his knees knocking together
for he had never faced SO large an
audience-rushed at his task.
After the first line Bobby felt his
feet. His voice was good, clear. sweet
and round as a bell; it 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 N 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
farifV nf their ire
to those detailed b. the reciter.
The old world ballroom, with it's
dark oak rafters, 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 paneled walls blush
Ing red with lavish wealth of scarlet
holly berries: while here and there
and everywhere, in the most unex-
pected places. large punches of mistle-
toe hung to tempt and entrap the un-
wary And, above all, there was the
chief feature, the bride
The star Of that goodly company.
i think We ought to carry it out
to the letter." excitedly cried Gladly.
when the recitation was over. and the
deafening applause cause shame-faced
Bobby to fee for shelter behind a suit
OF shining armor.
"A dear. wild child, this new daugh-
ter OF NINE" blandly said Lady Jane
to her dowager cronies, as GLADLY sped
through the hall to the distant stair
case.