The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-12-25

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with an astonishing array of modish
fnery that, until one came close upon
it, looked quite like the real thing!
Such pitiful makeshifts worn so DASH
ingly, with such unconquerably merry
spirit, were surely never seen. AS the
guests crossed the threshold a chorus
of "oh's" and "ahs" went UP to
heaven. St Quintin's room, with its
white walls and stucco ornaments, its
green garlands and glowing fire, above
all it's table IN the centre upon which
that lOrdly turkey and his companion
ham forced themselves upon pubic
view, was a wonder unbelievable. They
talked-how they talked! They ate
how they ate! When a chair or a
knife or folk was lacking somebody
vanished and returned with it. Good
fellowship sprang into growth on the
moment. ST. Quentin loaded with
kind words and sentiments, was hero
and lord over all. Mrs. Lacretelle
who consented to sit opposite him, felt
n glow in her maternal heart when
she saw the poor boy expand in this
human warmth and cheer. She and
Narcotic had been for weeks watch
ing him from afar, longing yet not
daring to show their sympathy with
him.
Marcelite who had cherished a Sc
cret cult for the handsome, forlorn
=
vented and were responsible for him.
But certain shyness kept her from
looking too much his way.
All of these good people knew they
were on the edge of a creVasse into
which at any moment their hopes and
fortunes might plunge to annihilation.
They had all suffered for their cause,
some more, some less, and life in the
Confederate capital by that last
Christmas had become terribly seri-
Gus thing. But, impoverished press
ed upon staggering to it's end, their
Confederacy was held up on all sides
by the spirit of such as they and the
starved. ragged armies who were
never out of their thoughts!
And here occurred an interruption
to his Christmas feats Roz st. Quentin
was not likely TO forget. a tap at
the door which he went to open was
followed by the appearance upon the
threshold of-Maior Clymer escorting
Miss Lefty Linden
Its my fault, every bit of it,"
puffed the fat little Major. 81 put
Miss Lefty up to it. ] told her you'n
enjoy surprise Though / mus,
say I'd a lot of coaxing to do before
sne'd hear OF it. | told her Mrs
Lacretelle was playing hostess-Miss
Linden, Mrs. Lacretelle. Now, Miss
Lefty, if you don't enjoy this i'm
promptu treat as much as / shall you
aren't the jolly girl / take you for
Chairs. plenty of EN- III share with
Captain Mems. and that extra one
can be slipped in next to st. Quentin
for Miss Lefty. You'll never believe
that my friend, falling i'll at the last
moment sent me a couple of bottles
of his Madeira that I've left outside
Miss Letty's mother made me stop to
carve their goose but l said I'd got
Z Il Hss,e.I - fxF'
Roz hardly knew how he came to
be sitting beside her, she more radiant
than ever from her walk i'm the frosty
air. He understood when his wits
came back to him that she had risked
this coup for the purpose of bringing
him into her net again. Miss Lefty
was famous for her stratagems under
the guise of sweetest innocence. Her
eyes shone. her bronze hair CauGnt
the candle light her ripe lips curved
like rose leaves when she smiled on
him. She might have turned strong
er head than his.
But Roz, by some stran"e trick OF
fate remained cool under the assault
on his brain ana senses. His Ola
courtly manner was there. and, as she.
noted with quick appreciation, his re-
markable good looks had returned
under the magic of the hour; but she
felt with a sudden stabbing of the
Heart that she had lost her control of
him. Such was the glamour of the
occasion when the Christmas saint
consented to preside over this poor
Confederate banquet that critical Miss
Lefty forgot it was in two pair back
in a Richmond lodging house-forgot
that the guests were an assorted lot
in age condition ana attire. although
gentlefolk all, united in bonds of mu-
tual understanding-forg that the
4 IL Il 10
match, the dishes were at SKIES and
seVens. the food served anyhow! She
seemed to see the old ROE of her early
imagination at the head of his ances-
trail board, the lord of many acreE
whom she had always intended to end
by marrying so soon as the success
of Confederate arms should guaran-
tee her return of his ancient glories
She repented having toYed with him.
having been repealed by him in his
hour of utmost need Her love came
back. or what she regarded as such
and she looked at him meekly, almost
appealingly.
But Roz St. Quentin was of the
obstinate type of man, and he had no
idea of playing fast and loose with
her. Nothing that he could show
Lefty in the way of a hosts courtesy
was lacking. But it stopped there.
He knew he might need her some day.
that when tomorrow should come
and with it the cold gray of after
Christmas reality-When he was alone
again. and poor and hungry, his arms
might stretch out toward her image.
But he knew also the dream was fata,
to his peace. He would never indulge
in it again.
When Lefty saw that her chance
was lost the pretty creature gathered
together her wraps and wits and
called on her gallant Major to escort
her from the spot. RoZ went with
them to the door below, stood bare
headed offering his one hand and
thanked her in all courtesy for the
honor she had done his feast. While
the Major was pulling on his thread
bare Overcoat of gray Lefty took
courage and under the gaslight OF tho
veStibule haZarded her final throw
1T was because | was good to my
self | came, Roz' she said laying her
hanq UPON his arm. IF you knew
how ] have suffered since you gave
me up. If you would only, only try
me once again."
St Quentin's pulses beat like made
at her touch He wanted TO take her
i'm his arms and tell her he forgave.
But at that moment a step sounded