Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1904-12-19

Mrs. Lawrence Price, ledM nS Ddch
in a cushioned nook of her morning
room, seemed a f1eshy reproduction OF
the Vatican figures carved, en-
broidered, painted upon its brilliant
furnishings.
Hers was that enamel-like colourlng
and wealth of contour that harmonizes
with roses and corn flower blues in up
holstery and draperies, and the mystic
yelling of large windows where fragile
but fresh, crisp lace shuts out from
such fine ladies the too ardent Christ
mas sunlight.
That Amy Price knew we'll that it
was Christmas Day was evidenced by
dazzling array of gifts, jewelry, bric-
a-brac, silver delicate BITS of needle
work; in short, a veritable shopful of
valuable articles, both for use and or
nament Attached to each present
was a card or note bearing affect, on
ate wishes for her happiness now and
forever.
There was nothing of gratitude, not
even a suggestion of contentment IN
the fair lady's countenance or atti-
tude. Her glance was resting upon a
note that lay upon her lap, and she
read it with a curing lip and such an
air of languorous scorn as great Juno
might have assumed upon suddenly
seeing her rival 10 escaping from her
thralldom.
Amy was holding out her feet to be
slippered, to the deft handling of a
maid, a pink of maid, such as is sup
posed to step out of bandbox. In
a box or out of box her airwould al
ways be dicreet and non-committal.
In a reverie that called for an an
noyed knitting of her delicate brown.
Mrs. Price stretched out a lace-clad
's9lloIBSIo 10 xoq I9AIIs g pJpMol IuJv
then leaned far back, silent, impress
s.ve, self-centered, face and form
Faulty faultless, icily regular, splen
didIy null"
Apparently she was less moved by
the thrill of life around her from the
holidays high tide than the china
nylnphs on the chandeliers. They
stirred to the ringing of the church
chimes, the jingle of SIZE gh bells, the
crunching Of light feet outside on the
snOw-piled street, where voices were
ringing out continually full of laugh
ter and good cheer.
Even the glass lustres blinked back
at the light The mirrors made rubies
of the holly berries glistening in the
fire flames, from logs that cracked
and whirled up sparks an drew out
the rich pungent on doors of draping
Christmas greens, and yes, the faint
haunting odour of a little waxen bunch
of mistletoe hanging over the hearth!
All. but who would care to kiss the
very daintiest of those chilly china
nymphs?
Presently Mrs. Price lifted from one
of the giftIaden tables a small paper
pad and began studying it perfume.
torily holding it at arms length
away from the G garette smoke that
hung like a mist about her shining
hair.
Perhaps she was addressing the
maid. though she did not look at her
as she unused aloud. drawing a sort
of supercilious reproof to Fate. why
must Lucien trouble me continually
with these kitchen epistles? | give
him my ideas for luncheon or din,
ner, donating a liberal faith in his
ability to carry them out. There my
contribution should end But work
ing people seem to find a fiendish en-
joyment in reminding their employers
of this and that disgusting detail or
marketing or cooking Perhaps it is
done with a view of spelling their ap-
petites. Lucien shall learn that the
value of my digestion is far beyond