The Newtown bee., 1903-12-25

passed and repassed them, they came
naturally to it.
'She is charming, charming," said
De Correze theoretically. GAS grace
full as yon swan when he is in his native
element, as lovely as a goddess"
"She is my one Joy in life," said
Michael L Estrange, with sigh.
"You will not care to give her up to
a husband?"
"Ah! I would not have her grow old
unmarried. But there is no one here
for her. The few gentlefolk enjoy
themselves in Dublin. There are only
the peasants and the shopkeepers of
our little town."
"Only those?"
Michael l. Estrange flushed.
"You know she had another sutton,
De Correze, since you are the Due de
Lannay's friend. But that I did not
entertain. 1t would be no suitable
marriage for the Vicomte de Poitiers."
"Ah, my friend,-M. de Correze took
snuff, and then handed the snuffbox to
his companion,-'You say so, yet I
think you hold your child the equal Of
any man."
"Perhaps. I am too proud not to
see it as theIworld would see it,
"What would you have more? Yours
is noble and ancient family, as hon.
orable in you as in any OF the line.
The child is. -. divine. l understand
the lads infatuation. I am become
infatuated myself"
His father would not agree with
De Correze.''
''Ah, why not? He is brave man,
and simple in his way. He married
for love himself, and he would have
set his wife against all Europe. He
would have the same happiness for
his boy"
IF could believe itv'
"You would recall the VicomteP"
II could desire nothing better. The
child loves him. I am in conflict with
her-I who have never denied her any
thing. It hurts me-"
Again M. de Correze took snuff.
"Ah, bah! Do not fret, my friend.
We cannot hinder them, these chill
dren. We are but q pebble in the
stream. They sweep past u.s.
He had seen, as Michael L 'Estrange
had not, how in the gathering dark
another skater had joined Miss Ely
on the ice, and taken her hand, and
the two had glided away together into
obscurity.
The old soldier had time to be cold
before Ely tired of her skating. A
thin winter moon hung over the land
scape as they went homeward, and the
Christmas bells tangled from the squat
church tower of Dromore.
Ely was in furs to her ears. 1t
was M. de Correze's fancy that bel
eyes sparkled like diamonds in the
shadow of her velvet hood. One hand
she kept in her muff. The other she
had thrust within her fathers arm
but when he was detained little
while on the way by some one who ha6
business with him, it seemed the most
natural thing for her to transfer it tt
M. de Correze's arm.
The old soldier lifted it to his lips
3 with gallantry.
e '"To think was afraid of you wesl
ago!" said Ely, with bright confidence
! "You are not now, my child?''
- mot the least bit in the world. Onl!
afraid that you will leave US, M. d,
=. Correze." gle -
y 81 cannot remain much longer.
. have business to finish. Afterward
there are-ah,-quantities of business
8 for me to do elsewhere.
He waved his free hand with ,
o widely-embracing gesture.
n LET your business here be as loni
in the doing as possible. How we shall
= miss you, M. de Correze!''
. "Ah, little Ely, you will not b.
wholly bereft of company. What o
,, the gentleman on the ice? I grew t.
fear that you were coming back NJ
p, more"
y Ely drew the deepest of signs, ant
;. NJ. de Correze patted gently the littl
hand upon his arm, as Michael l. Els
q TRANCE joined them, putting an end t.
9 the conversation.
q II Ely was lovely in her velvet an,
furs, she was no less lovely in her short
4 wasted gown of white lowered satin
with bunch OF holly berries ant
= leaves at her breast. The little part
= wore it's finest in honor of the festival
Mistress Pamela was in her grey satil
- and Limerick lace. Michael LES
TRANCE wore his old soldiers coat, the
:, garment he was proudest of. But tn
q greatest Of changes had taken place il
4 the garb Of M. de Correze.
4 He was very richly though quietl,
: clad in suit OF plum-colored silk, ant
. on his breast diamond star glitteret
q magniicently, so magniticently tina
= the sight of it seemed to strike Mich
o ael l. Estrange dumb. Mistress Pa
mela was too well-bred to express sur
y prise at the beauty OF the guests dec
+ Grafton. But Ely clapped her hands