The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1903-11-19

The g .. -
Curse or Darlington
By X. TEMPLE MOORE.
By X. TEMPLE MOORE.

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"Of course you can'ti" Indignantly.
you can't imagine us working for
your pleasure as hard as ever worked
slave of working, toiling,
shivering-"
A joyful cry from Baby.
"Oh, | know. l knowi" She had
jumped from her chair and was dane
ing a solo waltz around the room.
You've cleared the lake. you've clear
ed the lake! But" as a sudden
thought struck her, "the snow?"
HAS ceased" asserted young Will
Warren. "Ah,' with a burst of victo-
rious enthusiasm, "veni, vidl, vici!"
Say, Warren. make that plural, will
your" cried half dozen protesting
voices.
THANK You ALL" Miss Lennox said,
graciously. I'VE were so regretful at
the prospect of deferring our skating
party"
six o'clock-two hours till dinner.
Come down to the lake now and prac-
tice--do!" appealed Miss Earle.
dol" seconded young Warren,
Baby's adorer and abettor in every
mad scheme and prank "The idea Is
capital! 1t is glorious night! Wen
be in splendid trim for our moonlight
race later. Come, Miss Lennox!"
There was a chorus of assent,
soft rustic of women's draperies, the
softer sound of women's laughter.
Who'll be first?" cried Will.
"Il" shouted back Baby. halfway up
the stairs.
True to her word she was down first,
flushed but triumphant
BY one, and two, and three, they
gathered round in the wide, old hall,
like a flock OF bright plumaged birds,
and then they had fluttered out into
the frosty winter night.
An ideal night, for now that the
snow had ceased. the world lay dressed
in robes Of spotless beauty.
Every pine. and fir. and hemlock.
Wore ermine too dear for an earl.
And the smallest twig on the elm tree
Was fringed inch-deep with gold.
Up the bright sky the white moon
cleft her shining way. and far in the
blue infinity" the stars trembled to
golden life.
Down the eastern avenue of Black
castle they went, with laughter, and
jest, and snatch of song; and their
voices, strong with youths strength,
and sweet with youths joy, rang
pleasantly forth on the keen, crisp air.
But despite themselves their voices
sank and their laughter died as they
passed the eastern tower.
All except Baby's. The girls wild
spirits were inexhaustible. She shook
her little, gauntleted hand at the
great, crumbling pile OF masonry ris-
ing grimly and forbiddingly above her.
"Ghost of Blackcastle. come forth!
defy you! invoke you'll"
"He dare not! He was afraid OF me!
Poor Mr.. Ghost!"
''Who wouldn't be, you witch?" VIII
Warren whispered.
And now they have come to one Of
the lodges of the demesne-to the
gates. Across the road beyond lies
the lake.
Sing. Miss Earle a gentleman Ia
the rear called out.
Not tonight" gaily.
"A bird who can sing, and won't
sing. must be made to sing" quoted
Miss Lennox. "Sing, Babyl"
"Your will is law, Cynthia" the
girl laughed, with loving glance at
the face near her.
And just as they passed through the
great gates she broke out singing-a
quaint, old-fashioned song. that our
grandmothers sang, old as the hills.
But sung I as 1t was sung now. with
the pathos and the jubilanca Of fresh
young voice, IT sounded rarely sweet:
But sung as It was sung now, with
ct remember I remember,
Flow my childhood fieeted by,
With the mirth OF its December
And the warmth OF its July.
was merry i was merry,
When my little lovers came.
With a lily, or a cherry,
Or some new Invented game.
Gems tonight. love, gems tonight. love.
Are flashing in my hair;
But you know they're not as bright. love.
As my childhood's roses were.
Now I've you. love, now I've you, love,
To kneei before me there;
But you know you're not as true, love-
AS my childhood lovers were!''
"Thank youi" VIII Warren cried,
cordially. THAT was" Good heav-
ems. Baby"
For the girl had leaped back with
shrill cry.
I'll touched something In the road
with my foot!" wildly, "and--and II
stirred-it movedl" In feminine inco-
herence.
The spot was surrounded densely in
a second. They stooped-they search
ed. And out Of the pure. deep snow,
as out of her winding sheet. they drew
the figure of a woman.
The moonlight fell on her face sill
| verify. All, such an exquisite face!
More that OF child than a woman.
Calm as though carved from Carrara
pure, passionless, free from all touch
of pain. The long lashes lay. jet
black. on the marble cheek; the sweet
| young lips were halfparted. half