Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1902-07-07
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Inc Lady lanCn6 CdrTG ndQ always
been considered one of the proudest
girls in England. 1t was no new title;
it had been given by her nurses in
early years, by the fair, naughty
mother who had not lived to keep
her childs pride in check, by the old
earl her father, who had boosted Of it.
by gOvernesses and masters, by
friends and companions-by every
one, in short, with whom she came
in contact.
1t was Christmas eve, and if ever
Lady Ianthe felt tempted to be pro 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 aid 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 we're to be
learned. Nothing of this occurred TO
Lady Ianthe Her artistic mind lid
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 it. But that was
all; the time and season brought her
no higher thoughts.
1t was very lovely, the scene upon
which she gazed, the darkening sky
with it's cleaning stars contrasting
with the white earth. No snow had
fallen, although those who were
weather-wise said it was piled up be-
hind the clouds; but there had been
for some days a sharp, severe FROST
a frost that made the earth shine and
sparkle like silver network. The bare
hedges and leafess trees glistened
with it-icicles, like great diamonds,
hung from the gates, from the caves
of the houses, from the square turrets
of the abbey. The roads were nard
and firm-a northeast wind was
blowing, cold sharp, and keen. It
bent the tall, bare trees, it shook +hs
berries from the holly, it stirred the
white flowers of the 1aurustinus it
tried to tear the mistletoe from the
stout old oak, it raised its voice at
times and walled aloud.
From far away over the Lea woods
came the distant sound Of the Christ
mas bells-from afar off came the
distant booming of the waves: while
the light of the stars grew brighter as
the night wore on. Over a1l-over +he
distant sea. with it's silvery waves and
crested foam, over the broad stretch
of woodlands, over the pretty town Of
Leahurst, over the sleeping woods
over the broad pleasure grounds and
the frozen 1ake-over the whole land
brooded a deep calm, a sweet, holy
silence.
With the eye of an artist and the
soul of a poet, Lady Tanthe stood look
ed from the window of her DRESSING
room. Presently she turned from the
darkening sky and the frost-silvarnn
earth to the warm cosey room, with
its cheerful light and CAV coloring
She went to the toilet table. where
the maid stood awaiting her-where,
in fact. she had been standing for the
last half-hour, not daring to disturb
the reverie of her young mistress.
Lady Ianthe looked at her small
jeweled watch It was not late.
81 will give one look" she said to
her maid, "just to see that all is
in order before I dress"
r She opened the door of her room
and smiled at the warmth, the
fragrance, the beauty that surrounde3
her. The broad stairs were covered
with crimson cloth, which contrastea
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
evergreens arranged in rich profusion
and with greatest taste. A marble
Flora stood in a bower Of holly
CIyties beautiful head smiled from a
background of mistletoe-the huge
picture-frames had wreaths of shining
laurel round them.
Lady Tanthe went down the broad
staircase. The great entrance-hall was
brilliantly lighted and looked like "
miniature forest of evergreens. She
opened the door of the state dining
room. and saw at q glance that al
was T1SuL, JuSA O11C WCAC W IL
drawing-room, and smiled agaip as
most magnificent scene broke upoi
her. The noble room, with It
gorgeously painted ceiling, lighted b,
innumerable wax tapers that gleame
from among the evergreens like stars
the exquisite scent Of rare exotics
the sIvery spray of the tiny scente
fountains, the rich glow Of the Yule
log, the choice pictures and graceful
statues-all made up a scene that wa
rarely equalled. Lady Ianthe smile
to herself All was as it should be-
The stately old housekeeper, MR.
Charles, met her in the hall, and ~'it
a profound bow advanced to speak
her.
"My lady" she said, may I ask
you have seen his lordship lately?"
"Not since luncheon" replied Lad
Ianthe.