Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1902-07-03
CHAPTER |.

early years, by the fair, naughty
her cbilds pride in check, by the old
earl her father, who had boosted Of It
by goyernesses and masters, by
friends and companiOhs-by every
one, in short, with whom she came
in contact.
1t was Christmas eve, and If cVc'
Lady lanthe felt tempted to be PR ID
it was on this evening when she stood
in her magnificent dressing.rOom with
her jewels and rich dress all ready for
use. 1t uId not occur to her that a
feeling OF pride hardly accorded win
the season which should be marked
by peace, good will and sweetest
humality--when, If ever, lessons OF
meekness and gentleness were to be
learned. Nothing of this occurred to
Lady lanthe. Her artiGlic mind I'D
homage to the beauty of the season.
She had stood for an hour or more at
the window watching the scene before
her and admiring 1t, But that was
ALL the time and season brought her
no higher thoughts.
II was very lovely, the scene upon
which she gazed the darkening eky
with It's cleaning stars contrasting
with the white earth No snow had
fallen, although those who were
weather-wlse said IL was piled up be.
hind the clouds; but there had been
for some days sharp, severe frost -
a frost that made the earth shine ana
sparkle like silver network, The bare
hedges and leaness trees gilstened
with it--icicles, like great diamonds,
hung from the gates, from the caves
of the houses, from tho square turroth
OF the abbey, The roads were nard
and frm--a northeast wind vas
blowing, cold, sharp, and keel, 1t
bent the tall, bare trees, It shook HI
berries from the holly, it stirred the
white flowers of the laurustinus, 1t
tried to tear the mistIetoe from the
stout old oak, 1t raised It's voice a,
times and walled aloud.
From far away over the Lea woods
came the distant sound Of the Christ
mas bolls--from afar off came the
distant booming of the waves, whilo
the light of the stars grew brighter as
the night wore on. over all-over he
distant sea, with It's silvcry waves and
crested foam, over the broad stretch
OF woodlands, over the pretty town OF
Leahurst, over the sleeping woods,
over the broad pleasurc-ground ano
the frozen lake--over the whole lana
brooded deep calm, "A sweet, holy
silence.
with the eye of an artist and the
soul of n poet, Lady Ianthe stood look
ed from the window of her DRESSING
room Presently she turned from the
darkcning sky and the frost -silv2rcu
earth to the warm, cOsey room, with
it's cheerful light and gay colorin%
She went to the toilet table. whore
the maid stood awaiting her--wherc,
in fact, she had been standing for the
last halfhour not daring to disturb
the reverie of her young mistress,
Lady lanthe looked ut her small
jewelod watch, It was not late.
81 will give one look" she said 10
her maid, Just to see that all IS
in order before dress"
She opened the door of her room
and smiled at the warmth, the
fragrance. the beauty that surroundcl
her. The broad stairs were covered
with crimson cloth, which Contrastco
with the white statues to be seen on
every landing, and with great stands
of rare flowers that filled the house
with their perfume, and Christmas
evorgreons arranged in rich protusiun
and with greatest taste. A marble
Clyties beautiful head smiled from a
background of mistlotoc--the huge
picture frames had wreaths of shining
laurel round them.
Lady Ianthc went down the hroaO
staircase, The great ontrnncc.hall was
brilliantly lighted and looked like u
miniature forest of ovcrgrceus. She
opened the door of the state dmins.
room, and saw at glance that all
was right then she went to the
dmwing-room, and smiled again as a
most magnificent scene broke upon
her The noble room, with It's
gorgeously painted ceiling, lighted w
innumerahle wax tapcrs that cleaned
from among the overgrecns like stars
the exquisite scent Of rare cxotiCs
the slvery spray of the tiny scented
fountains, the rich glow OF the lulc.
log, the choice pictures and graceful
stntues-nll made up a scene that was
rarely equalled. Lady lanthe smiled
to herself, All was as II should be.
The stately old housekeeper. Mrs.
Charles, met her in the hall, and WITH
a profound bow advanced to speak TO
her.
My lady" she said, may | ask II
you have seen his lordship lately"
Not since luncheon replied Lady
Ianthe.
Because" continued the house
keeper, u saw Lord Carrie an hou.
since, and thought he was look,ns
exceedingly H."
mp repeated Lady Ianthe, Then
why did you not come to me at once :"