Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1902-05-15
CHAPTER /.

happiness TO so many thousands of
homes brought to me nothing more
than long. uncomfortable journey
and the novelty OF first situation;
for had Travelled from London to the
lake-coutfy and when / reached the
station at Ulladale. 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,
and there were few people about. The
wind walled dismally round the build
ing The open archway that led from
the station to the road looked like a
black. yawning abyss. Anything was
better than remaining there, so | re-
solved to fill up the time that I must
wait IN walking down the road that
led to Ulladale 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
scene, and then it was exceedingly
beautiful
leaned over the stile to gaze at it.
TIE moonlight kissed the white spires.
the snow covered meadows the distant
houses From the bare hedges and the
branches of the trees hung great
icicles which glittered like diamonds.
u
trees, the tall dark frs stood out in
martial array. the stars shone in the
night Sky
Oh. beautiful Christmas Eve. Some
thing stirred in my heart and brought
tears to my eyes when the bells began
to ring and the soft, sweet chime came
to me across the snow | 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
NJ TO the sky and ] prayed that
Heaven would send some one to love
me. Every one expects a gift at
Christmas-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
sence The coachman touched his hat
rs came up the platform. There was
no other being in sight
The carriage for Miss Forster, from
Ullamere." he said And a few min
utes later | was on my way to the Hall.
Il seemed as though the stars were
lighting me to- fresh life, as though
the snow.fringed branches of the tall
trees we're Reckoning to me. | felt
weird sensation in driving alone
through this silent country on Christ
mas Eve
The moon shone out with whittier.
brighter light | saw that we were
dri.lrg through a beautiful park. The
water lying under the trees was com
n,etely frozen; the evergracns stood
out distinct and clear: and the weird
music OF the wind. as il stirred the
great trees, sounded as though the very
spirit OF Christmas were abroad.
A sudden curve, the ripple of foun-
tain not yet frozen. the cry of a start
led bird. the deep baying of hound
and we were driving up a fine avenue
at chestnut.trees. The moon revealed
a noble pile of buildings. | see the
picture now as | saw il then. Ullamere
was large, handsome residence, built
ID the Itadian style with pillared porch
aud balcony, aud stately wings A
lava Siopcd down to the very edge of
the lake. and the park lay behind the
house. No uuddy light shone from the
windows; all was dark and gloomy. It
struck me vaguely, as | stood outside.
that the house held secret. No
answer came 10 the first ring: the
second brought an old gray haired man.
Who opened the door cautiously. il
seemed to me In the large entrance
hau there We're no evergreens. no fire
h9ht. no mistletoe Dough, only gloom
and deep shadows. A small lamp
Summered somewhere in the depths
NJ the hall felt chilled.
N'NfN 4 VI Ntti. csAtu tue outer. MY
l'dy Is expecting you. Will you step
Wis way"
lie led the way To the library. where
hre burned in the CRATE and lighted
lamp stood on the table, AS for any
sign Of Christmas, | might as wefi have
looked Tor roses in December.
I will tell Lady Culmore that YOU
sre here" he said.
re went away. leaving me alone.
what silent house this was, No
sonnd disturbed it, not even the omen.
ins or shutting of door: aud the
silence appeared to grow more and
more mtens. 1t seemed as though an
atmosphere of wrong,doing hlled the
house, turned up the lamp, The light
Tell on handsome marble busts. on well.
hned bookcases. on massive bronze
ornaments, on few pictures.
Presently the door opened. and tho
gray-haired butler announced LADY
GILMORE hear. the rustic of a
silken dress; faint odor. as of hello
trope. was waited to me AS saw her
then I shall see her until + dis Shn