The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1903-12-12

banished for the time. They were hidden
to enter gaily into the festivities.
''For the last time, dear, said Cyril,
sadly, to his promised bride. She kissed
him.
'sWho knows p she said "There may
yet be good fortune in store for you such
as you do not dream of. -
Her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes
so sparkled that the young man was forced
to curiosity.
''Hilda, what do you mean? he asked.
''Ah, that is my secret. [ have
Christmas gift for you, Cyril dear. But
YOU are not to have it until the Yule Log
is well ablaze.'
He said no more He could not enter
quite into the spirit of it all. But he did
not wish to spoil such pleasure as the girl
was able to feel. 1t was, he supposed,
some seasonable joke Or fancy that she had
in store for him.
With the vicar and Sir Graham they
sat down to dinner in the hall. A huge
fire was lighted, and the embers Of last
wear were placed therein and then the huge
log itself.
The flames leaped up and round, and
caught the bark which cracked and threw
out its showers of sparks and wreaths of
smoke. By the time dinner was over it
was we'll alight, blazing bravely up the
huge chimney. Sir Graham, producing
bottle of his famous Madeira, proposed
toast: "To the last Christmas OF the old
race in the old place" He glanced round
at the old portraits hanging there on the
oaken walls; then, draining his glass, he
flung it to the ground. 1t splintered into
Il hundred glittering fragments Cyril and
the vicar did the same; but Hilda, to the
surprise of them all, set down her glass
untasted.
ssWil you not drink the toast, Hilda?'
asked Cyril, at loss to understand her.
No." she replied II cannot. It is
too cruel and what ': : more, | don't be-
,ht e1.t-It It. She burst out crying.
.sBelieve what?'' asked Sir Graham,
touched by her grief.
''Believe that you will go, she replied
Then she dried her eyes and stood up with
the glass in her hand. "My toast is
Hope for the best, - she said. She drank
it and set down the glass unbroken on the
table.
at is trife late for that, my dear,
said Sir Graham.
ooh [ don know. am witch, you
know, toni. ht-a white witch and l
prophesy that there is nothing certain but
the unforeseen.
"Does that mean that the Hall will still
be ours, white witch p laughed Cyril.
"Perhaps yes, perhaps no. The oracle
can say no more. .
ssThe oracle is somewhat dark, " said the
vicar, dismally ''But that is always their
fashion from the Witch of Endor to the
Pythoness of Delphi. Don't be foolish,
Hilda'
The girl laughed and skipped round to
Sir Graham, into whose ear she whispered
something. Sir Graham started and looked
at his future daughter law in surprise
Impossible, my dear"
"Hush r. Hilda kissed him. "You
must say nothing, or the spell will be
broken.
The Baronet entered into the spirit of
the jest, and laughingly refused to graf
ify the curiosity of the others. And, in
deed there was no time for questions. as
the moment the cloth was removed clash
of Instruments outside heralded the arrival
Of the rustic mummers. The gentry re-
treated to dais at the bottom of the hall,
under the gallery, and, at a signal, the
great doors at the side were thrown open.
Then poured in crowd of gay figures,
such as might have flown from the land of
dreams through the Ivory gate. Robin
Hood in Lincoln green, with bow and ar
row, danced along with Maid Marian,
dressed in kirtle of the same hue with
wreath of May blossom. The dragon
glittering monster maneuvred by two
men-rolled along his scaly length with
St. George, armed from head to heel, in
playful pursuit. Santa Claus was there
with his basket of toys the Great Turk,
fierce and black bearded Giant Gorabus-
ter and King Arthur and crowd of imp
ish children dressed as fairies, COLLINS and
fiery little devils Nor was wanting jes-
ter in particolored garb with cap and bells,
who cracked bad jokes and slashed around
freely with bladder tied to stick. The
village band played gay music, the num-
mers danced gaily, and the great Yule Log,
spluttering fire, roared up the wide chin
ney 1t was true Christmas revel, and
might have been held at Windsor before
King Edward himself.
Then came eating and drinking for all,
and it must be said that the mumlners did
full justice to both. There were the was
sail bowl, the mince pies, the plum pud-
ding, and of them all they made but small
account. And as the night drew on to the
stroke of IL, the fun grew fast and furi-
Gus. They played kiss-in -the-ring, and
blind mans buff and single staff And
| the Young folks danced their country dan