The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-12-16

puzzled and annoyed him. re proud sus-
picous OF himself upon her rae va
convinced that she was OF social distinction above
e1 oS'enslDie position and while secretly pleased
the thought found Il many dculties 20 ths
ioonoclaste forces Of proiessed socialism.
50 Christmas eve approached and with y the ar
rival OF Arthur Caerlyon lie great favorite
tho Toung baronets. and be puzzed At his SELF
Invitation TO spend Christmas n these bleak lonely
soltudes II had been different when the castle was
allied with and log bazed IN tho great
hall and Ministries played IN tie Raerv and dancing
Teasing. and msrrment sgaalzo1 the license o. ths
season Thls year there would guests rner-i-
naent. and quiet feaatnE the servants hall
gather their friends and indulge quaint customs
and ceremonies % Yuietde al their pleasure ly tie
desire OF Lady Bryderyn al the female do-estcs
castle black dresses and wore scar
let gowns ana lace caps and aprons rictsreeas and
charming group taey made after cinnor two
young sauntered into the brilliantly lented
GRATED ballroom. where d huge Christmas tree was
Sir Caradors turned from TIE group OF elderly
servitors 70 the attractive Of
brigade TO q also had turned the sppraisng gaze
Arthur CaeF!yon- lie gave start sir caradoF hoard
a muttered BY Jovei' and suspicious eyes tat
his cousins exclamation answered that suspicion
So they knew each other these where
stgnihed nothing IN that jealousy.
girls face calm and white and gave no sign Of
welcome but when did Jealousy ever read n another
face ausht but reason FOR It's suspicious?
Sir carad0r endured miseries whAe unloading - .
tree OF rs gifts.
Speaking. Testing. annur ss blush and smile an
swered friendly words. keeuly con-
scious OF MS cousins marked attention o. oDc figure
standing aloof from the merry When Il came
20 her turn 70 advance ard receive Erts had
lgnt word or jest at her service lie only handed Tia
little morocco containing g plain gold watch and
chain IN silence She resolved quick glance.
vivid blush. half gesture OF refusal Then, tho
usual demure curtsey. AS their hands touched tns
old tyranny OF emotion swept his souI 20 pain and
pleasure Invountarily stopped 10 the crimson
ear beneath shining gold Of heavy balr You WI
give me the dance following the arst suadr-ier "a
said hoarseiy.
She looked Up. hesitated IF you wish sir"
AL unkDowins way. the weight Of palm and douBt
was suddenly loosened In the young knights heart.
ugNn he Lad
CHEEKY strains OF the quadre and found Esther and
his cousin visav1s ne conscious OF annoyance
than assured OF distsste-on her part
When the dance ended ne noted she once re-
turned to her quiet corner She IN way encouraged
which he had onEed came at last They stood sldo BY
side The waltz strain itself the waiting
couples. his arm round her waist They moved
IN rhythm to the sad sweetness OF "Valse Enchante'
ell world and all OF life seemed concentrates
IN those BRIEF moments when a crown OF golden hair
shone before his eyes and wave upon wave OF Keeling
and sweIled with the or melody that set
hearts atune with music more divine
How did you come TO know my eousin7"
He used TO call at the house where was sov-
erness. told you Mrs. Polwyns."
silence Once again that floating tour Of the room.
flashes OF holly white CLEANS OF mtstletoe This
droop shy blue the quick beats OF
Esther. you-yOu don't love himr'
Love him. I hate him. Ills prosecutions drove
me too this"
Strange that JOY and ssrvitude should be so meas
akin this" lie drew her aside the jostline
crowd TO my home. my heart o. Esther. you dont
She grew white 70 the lips Il regret that you
should think Ill Of follow your cousn'G
example"
Follow IT. Has he asked you be his wifo7"
His wife-O, no"
But that Is what desire. beseeoh above all ttngs
IN life That Is what ask-for myself Esther"
20. mol no! It's impossible"
"Why7 You are gifted and beautiful You are IN
all ways my equal and love you better than all tbs
world holds Don't you, can't you love me- Esther
Wynne?"
%. It's not that o. indeed. Sir carador. you
should not have said this! Think OF your rank your
position. your mother"
You viii give them all the one thing they need"
he said AS for my mother. we VIII 20 to her no ".
this moment. and shall she has the heart "a
refuse me the hrst Christmas gift for which I have
asked"
watched by Arthur Caeryon's eyes. she went with
MIN to the great hall where Lady Bryderyn sat aloha
Her startled glance at the confused abashed YOUNG
faces TOOK IN something OF the All sorts OF
strange feelings rose 20 stirred her rnotherly
heart to pain; shook from It's strings sveetey
Suneruiness OF sympathy. Had Mrs Hughes exc
plained the lady housepad's advent? Had not that
eeored son administered homeopathic Of social
Ism at every possible opportunity? Above all was nos
her whole soul bound up IN him. how was It pos
sible to refuse-as rs had said-the Arst Christmas
1int 1or which he had gift too in which
she shared for swester daughter loving wife
had never fallen to Bryderin's lot than this fails
Welsh maiden proved-vindicating herself and her
chosen knight all the sophstries enchantment q
that brief episode OF socialism