The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1904-12-24

lIltN Univ up NiltIt bllGh anu Stbttt dliu liul
ber were mingled, in low pile of picturesque
outline upon the darkening sky, lights aud
fires blazing from windows, welcome TO the
Old Fortr' Don said as he lightly swung her
do&n, and was gone to receive the rest of the
laughing and exclaiming party.
isn't it all as said?'' asked Tom Perkins,
rs they stood in the great hall. transformed by
the Christmas green into a hemlock forest,
with here an anller reaching out of it, and
here mailed hand and arm. and looked
down room after room with blazing fires, with
flower laden tables, and far beyond, as heavy
curtain swayed and parted. with glitter gold
and silver vessels Servants were passing
round some hot cup of greeting and Elise
Bouney, tearing off her gloves, was already
brewing tea Mt little table inside the mante
of the great chimney. Don himself stood
before Polly with cup, saying Il must bring
you the first thing that passes Your lips in this
honsr. Aud then, still halt dazrd, she WAS
with the rest d lnckina up the broad low stairs,
aud in her room alone Al last looking out on
a steeIy stretch of siarlit sea close at hand.
half without seeing it, and wholly wishing she
had defed her Step-mo,her aud staid at home
The fire on her hearth was cracking; her
box was unsirapped; maid came to offer
help. The tolling of the bell bnoy on the reef
startled her. Presently She heard them flock.
ing doWn the stairs again. What were they
going IN wear? She opened her door crack
to sea-. Yes, that was Eliza Bouney in low
black waist, black chiffon boa half hiding
her snowy neck and her diamonds Then she
could wear her white one. only half as low.
and her little white ostrich feather cape. Aud
while she hurried she wondered why the sight.
Of Elise Bouney was so vexing-why Elise
was dowu here anyway. The bells of church
ia the town q couple of miles away came down
the wind, ringing the peal for Christmas eve;
the bell buoy on the reef seemed to mock and
mock them with curious spite, ia tune with
her feeling regarding that look in Elise face;
shy remembered Mrs. Arlington $ gossip; she
wondered, as many time before if Don had
been playing in those old days, that night in
the foyer: L Elise had chos,.u the diamonds
and irl the love 20, il she had had a chance to
io sn-ihey seemed on such terms. And
while the bell pralsi insi-trntiy ON the frosty
air, It's mrS>age OF good viii began 10 prick
her conscience for Ill feeling and her con.
science became as uaruly a her usual emo
lions She forgot she had dismissed Mr. Gold.
mack Il, Is you. she exclaimed to the girl
.n the glass, tossing up her dark hair. cheeks
u-i ss autumn leaf. eyes ghuering ike the
star, oul,jie-''ji was you who chose the dia.
mands who sold yourself Tor mess Of pot
tage and never got ir,. And then. the parish
bells coming again. she stayed her thoughts.
and in a humber frame said little prayer to
be delivered from evil, aud went down as calm
as Polly Templetoa Of old, aud iride more
magnificent, and she presently found herself
beside Dr. Bouuey a, the table, al whose head
sli Don. With Elise Bouuey and Mrs. Apple
thorpe on his righ, aud lett; and when she Oh
served hat she sat directly opposite Mr. Hol-
lister. at FIRST she thought it WAS accident
OF the cards, and thea a stupid joke Of Tom
Perkins s. and then that at . round table. and
snch a huge round table. il might have no sig
nifcauce: and angry with herself for noticing
il At all, she turned TO Or. Bouuey with the
sweetest interest in his remarks concerning
argou OF heh0r oT frozen oxygen. and never
glancrd a, Don, and had No idea il she were
eating terrapin or cold mutton Bot now aud
then Don's Voice rose across the murmur of
the other voices and the elink Of glass aud sil-
vrr "Ies," she heard him say. the place
Is honey with underground passages
and cells. except the more recent parts. There
~err chambers tn store powder, with long mar
row corridors, and these the old fureiather
~bo boaEh, the fort made Use of aud extended
-raniuyi rxplainable anly on the supPoSition,
sr,eyr To say, thai b" was first class smug.
eIrr With a monopoly OF the business
.'Nonopolics early ia the family, said Tom
Perkins,
''Son,e ct the corridors run out under the
sea whether to blow up boats Of rnrmies's
ships. VI uhrthrr way Of escape-ior they
are ,aiI o. make out as Car as the rect Of the
hell bno,
"A real Ann Radcliffe busine.sl" said Ms.
Arpi-thorpe.
I'VE have never thoroughly examined them.
should g, lost ia them myself They will
be- vailed up soGdly by-auj by; hnt man
can, do everything at once.
This is delightful, said Elise
How very interesting cried Mabel Pal
mcr. Why, We we're not safe in our be,l,!''
..AE I ,l..L -., - III ~,
Who knows what pirates will come up aud
make of With this plundrr2' said RoSamond
BraIe.
Il expect a panel To slip aside and a me-
di.eyal hero to step out, exclaimed Miss
Houghion.
oh. how should ike to explore them!''
sighed Mabel.
"Why mott asked Harry Boylston.
"Why not, indeed p echoed Tom.
"Ob, nonseuser' said Don. We have
something better to do.
You can't have. cried Mabel. Il move
we adjourn TO the underground passages
"fhe motion is seconded and carried, said
Harry,
No. no. no. said Don i veto it. 1t
is all a folly No. no.
Now Mr.. Hollister,' said Mabel, Il in
sisi.
II really think We shall have to organize sn
exploring party" said Mrs. Applethorpe.
And then relief party, said Mrs. Hol-
lister.
"Oh. come now. We cant have the eN-
element of the danger of losing ourselves in
the labyrinth of these mines and counter
mines said Colonel KendTick land let it
slip"
For my part, said Mrs. Bonney, Il will
hold the fort above stairs.
Aud Polly said nothing. But when the gay
party had disappeared with lanterns and
torches. the diguifed Bullion and the superior
iootmen leading the way, she remained sitting
beside the hall fire with Elise
1T was so nice that you could come, said
Elise, presently.
What affair was that Of hers. Polly asked
herself And before she could control her
tongue she had answered, but one would
have supposed you were to be the mistress
here to welcome Us =
"I?'' said Elise why in the world should
one suppose that? Why, was engaged 10
DIR. Bouney -