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

| Der were mingled, in q low pile OF picturesque
outline upon the darkening sky, lights and
| fires blazing from windows, welcome TO the
Old Forlr' Don said, as he lightly swung her
down, and was gone to receive the rest OF the
laughing and exclaiming party.
Isn't it all as | said?' asked Tom Perkins,
as they stood in the grea, hall. transformed by
the Christmas green into Il hemlock forest,
with here an anler reaching out of it, and
here a mailed hand and arm. and looked
down room after room with blazing fires, with
flower laden tables, and far beyond, as a heavy
curtain swayed and parted. with glitter ofgold
and silver vessels. Servants were passing
round some hot cup of greeting, and Elise
Bonney, tearing off her gloves, was already
brewing tea at "a little table inside the maniel
of the great chimney. Don himself stood
before Polly with a cup, saying Il must bring
you the first thing that passes your lips in this
house." And then, still half dazed, she was
with the rest fl 'ckiug up the broad low stairs,
and in her room alone at last looking out on
q steely stretch of starit sea close at hand,
half without seeing it, and wholly wishing she
had defed her step-mother and staid at home.
The fire on her hearth was cracking; her
box was unstrapped; maid came to offer
help. The tolling of the bell buoy on the reef
startled her. Presently she heard them flock
ing down the stairs again. What were they
going TO wear? She opened her doora crack
to see. Yes, that was Eliza Bonney 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. And
while she hurried she wondered why the sight
Of Elise Bonney WAS so vexiug-why Elise
was down here anyway. The bells Of church
in the town couple of miles away came down
the wind, ring ing the peal for Christmas eve;
the bell buoy on the reef seemed to mock and
mock them with curious spite, in tune with
her feeling regarding that look in Elise's face;
wondered. as many time before if Don had
been playing in those old days, that night in
the foyer; if Elise had chosen the diamonds
and let the love go, if she had had = chance To
do so-they seemed on such terms. And
while the bell peaed inSistently on the frosty
air, its message of good will began 10 prick
her conscience for i'll feeling, and her con-
science became az unruly as her usual emo
| tons. She forgot she had dismissed Mr.. Gold.
mack at is you" she exclaimed to the girl
in the glass, tossing mp her dark hair, cheeks
red AZ aninmn leaf, eyes glitlering like the
stars outside-''it was you who chose the dia.
monds. who sold yourself for mess of pot
tage and never got it!' And then. the parish
bells coming again, she stayed her thoughts,
and in humber frame said little prayer to
be delivered from evil, and went down as calm
as Polly Templeton of old, and triile more
magnificent, and she presently found herself
beside DR.. Bonney at the table, at whose head
sat Don, with Elise Bonney and Mrs. Apple
thorpe on his right and left; and when she OBJ
served that she sat directly opposite Mr. Hol-
lister, at first she thought it was an accident
of the cards, and then a stupid joke of Tom
Perkinss, and then that at IL round table, and
such a huge round table, it might have no sig
nifcance; and angry with herself for noticing
it at all, she turned to DR.. Bonney with the
sweetest interest in his remarks concerning
argon or helior or frozen oxygen, and never
glanced at Don, and had no idea if she were
eating terrapin or cold mutton. But now and
then Don's voice rose across the murmur of
the other voices and the clink of glass and sill.
yer. Yes" she heard him say, ''the place
is honeycombed with underground passages
and cells, except the more recent parts. There
were chambers to store powder, with long mar
row corridors, and these the old forefather
who bought the fort made Use of and extended
conduct explainabe only on the supposition,
| grieve to say, that he was a first class smug-
gler with monopoly Of the business
"Monopolies early in the family" said Tom
Perkins.
"Some of the corridors run out under the
sea-whether to blow up boats Of enemies's
ships. or whether way Of escape-for they
are said to make ont as far as the reef of the
bell buoy
"a real Ann Radcliffe business!' said Mrs
Appleihorpe.
"We have never thoroughly examined them.
I should get lost in them myself. They will
be walled up solidly hyandby; bnt man
can't do everything at once"
This is delightful said Elise.
"How very interestingly cried Mabel Pal
mer. "Why, we were not safe in cur bedsr'
"Oh, think so,'' said Don.
"Who knows what pirates will come up and
make off with this plunder?'' said Rosamond
Beale.
Il expect a panel to slip aside and me.
di:eval hero TO step ont," exclaimed Miss
Houghton.
"Oh. how should like TO explore themr"
sighed Mabel
"Why not' asked Harry Boylston.
"Why not, indeed ?" echoed Tom.
"Oh, nonsense!' said Don. "We have
something better to do
"You can't have" cried Mabel. 81 move
we.adjonrn TO the underground passages.
The 2,ntion is seconded and carried" said
Harry.
"No. no. no, said Don: Il veto it. 1t
is all folly. No, no."
':Now Mr.. Hollster." said Mabel, ~ in
sst.''
II really think We shall have to organize an
exploring party" said Mrs. Applethorpe.
"And then relief party" said Mrs. Hol
lister.
"Oh, come now. We can't have the ex-
ci,ement of the danger Of losing ourselves in
the labyrinth of these mines and counter
mines." said Colonel Kendrick, ''and let it
slip"
"For my part said Mrs. Bonney, 81 will
hold the fort above stairs"
And Polly said nothing. But when the gay
party had disappeared with lanterns and
torches, the dignifed Bullion and the superior
footmen leading the way. she remained sitting
beside the hall fire with Elise.
st 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 y
''I?' said Elise. "Why in the world should
one suppose that? WHY, | was engaged 10 |