Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1902-05-15
CHAPTER I.

ana the novelty Of a first situation;
for had travelled from London to the
lake-coutry and, when I reached the
station at UiIadale, my senses were
numbed with cold and frost.
Evidently some mistake had been
made as to the time of the trains, for
the carriage which had expected
would be sent to meet me had not yet
arrived The station was a small one,
ard there were few people about The
wnd waited diamally round the build
ing 1ha open archway that led from
the station TO the road looked like a
black. yawning abyss. Anything was
better than remaining there, so I re-
solved to fill up the time that [ must
wait in walking down the road that
led To UIIadaIe In the distance was
the pretty town, the churchspires of
which stood out tall and white. Just as
reached the end of the road. the moon
came from behind the clouds and cast
q silyery CLEAN over the snow-clad
scene, and then it was exceedingly
beautiful
leaned over the stile to gaze at it.
The moonlight kissed the white spires,
the snow-covered meadows, the distant
houses From the bare hedges and the
branches Of the trees hung great
iclelea which glittered like diamonds.
The red berries shOne on the holly
trees. the tall dark frs stood out in
martial array the stars shone in the
night Sky.
Oh, beautiful Christmas Eve! Some
tding stirred in my heart and brought
tears 10 my eyes when the bells began
to ring and the soft, sweet chime came
to me across the snow. I thought of
the happy homes that Christmas moon
was shining on, of devoted husbands
and wives, fOd fathers and mothers,
merry children home from school, of
happy lovers. kindly friends. | looked
Up to the sky, and I prayed that
Heaven would send some one to love
me Every one expects a gift at
Christrs as time. and that was what
asked from Heaven. That was my
prayer on Christmas Eve, and my story
VIII tell how it was granted.
returned to the station just as the
hour was striking, and found that the
carriage had arrived during my alb
8ence The cOachman touched his hat
Is came up the platform. There was
~ other being in sight
The carriage for Miss Forster, from
Uuamere." he said. And few min
Utes later was on my way to the Hall
II seemed as though the stars were
LIGHTING me to fresh life, as though
the snUW-fringed branches of the tall
trees were beckoning to me. I felt a
weird sensation in driving alone
through this silent country on Christ
mas Eve
The moon shone out with a winter
brighter light. / saw that we were
II, wing through beautiful park. The
water lying under the trees was COM
pietaIy frozen; the evergreens stood
nut distinct and clear; and the weird
music of the wind. as it stirred the
great trees, sounded as though the very
Solrit OF Christmas were abroad.
4 sudden curve. the ripple of a foun-
tain not yet frozen, the cry of a start
Ted bird, the deep baying of a hound,
and we were driving up a fine avenue
nf Chestnut-taaeS The moon revealed
Il nobie pile OF buildings. I see the
picture now as I saw it then. Ullamere
vas large, handsome residence, built
IN the itadian style, with pillared porch
and balcony and stately wings. A
ta2n stopped down to the very edge of
the lake, aud the park lay behind the
house. No ruddy light shone from the
windows, all was dark and gloomy 1t
struck ne vaguely. as I stood outside.
that the house held a secret. No
answer came to the first ring: the
second brought an OLD gray-haired man.
who opened the door cautiously, it
seemed to me-. In the large entrance
hall there were no ayergreeus. no fire
light. no mistletoe bough. only gloom
aud deep shadows. ! small lamp
sfmmnred somewhere in the depths
nf the hall, I felt chilled.
Miss Forster" said the butler. my
laos il expecting yon Will you step
this way"
tie Led the way to the library. where
fire burned in the CRATE and a lighted
lamp stood on the table AS for any
sleu Of Christmas might as well have
I2oEai FOR roses in December.
will tell Lady GILMORE that you
az here" he said
lie went away. leaving ne alone
What = silent house this was, No
sound disturbed it. not even the oOan-
in9 or shutting of a door: aud the
ss'auoe appeared to grow more and
m11a intense. II seemed as though an
atmosphere Of wrong-doing filled the
house turned up the lamp. The light
fall On handsome marble busts. on we'll
tined bookcases. on massive bronze
ornaments. on few pictures.
Presently the door opened. and the
Grayhaired butler announced Lady
Cu'more.' I heard the rustic of a
SJli<eo dress; a faint odor. as Of hello
t~ope, was waited to ne. AS | saw her
then ! shalt see her until l die. She
came in with a quiet graceful move
mant Her dress was of rich ruby
velvet, while fine lace shroude6 the
white shoulders and the rounded arms
Jewels flashed in her hair. on her neck.
on her arms. She was beautiful as a
queen, and. if ever a woman's face
told story. her face did. I read in If
power. passion. terrible repression
tue outcome of an unnatural life. r
read usefulness and fear. 1t was the
loveiiest. but the strangest face | had
ever seen. One popularity of It was
that, when she was not speaking or