The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-10-02
THE NEWS DEMOCRATS DAILY STORY
To be published in daily instalments on this page
The House of a
Thousand Candles
MEREDITH NICHOLSON
MEREDITH NICHOLSON
Copyright by
The Bobbs Merrill Company

, liantly lighted. and the strains OF a waltz
stole across the lawn cheerly. Several
carriages swept past me as i followed the
walk
/ was arriving al fashionable hour-it
was nearly 12-and Just how to erect an
entrance without being thrown out as an
interloper was a formidable problem. now
tina: / had reached the house. j must
catch my train home. and this left no
margin for explanation 10 an outraged
host whose first impulse would very likely
be 10 turn me over 10 the police.
/ made a detour and studied the house.
seeking a door by which / could enter
without passing the unfriendly Gibraltar
OF a host and hostess on guard TO well
come belated guests.
A long conservatory filled with tropical
plants gave me my opportunity. Prone
naders went idly through and out into an
other part OF the house by an exit i could
not see. handsome. spectacled gentle
man opened a glass door within yard OF
where l stood, shifted the air. and said to
his companion, as he turned back with n
shrug into the conservatory:
There's no sign of snow. II isn't
Christmas weather at all
He strolled away through the palms,
and / instantly threw off my ulster and
hat, cast them behind some bushes, and
boldly opened the door and entered.
The ballroom was on the third floor but
the guests were struggling down to sup
per- and | took my stand at the foot OF
the broad stairway and glanced up care
lessly, as though waiting for some one.
II was large and brilliant company and
many a lovely face passed me as / stood
waiting The very size of the gathering
gave me security. and i smoothed my
gloves complacently.
The spectacled gentleman whose breath
OF night air had given me valued hint
OF the open controversy door came now
and stood beside me. He even put his
hand on my arm with intimate friendli-
ness
There was sound OF mirth and scam
pering feet i'm the hall above and then
down the steps, between the lines Of
guests arrested i'm their descent, came
dark laughing girl In the garb OF Littte
Red Riding Hood, amid general applause
and laughter.
TITS DIVA! She's won the wagerr' ex-
claimed the spectacled gentleman, and
the girl, whose dark curls were shaken
about her face. ran up to us and threw
her arms about him and kissed him. IL
was charming picture--the figures on
the stairway. the pretty graceful child.
the eager happy faces all about. I was
too much interested by this scene of the
comedy to be uncomfortable.
Then. at the top OF the stair. her height
accented by her gown Of white stood Ma
rian Devereux. hesitating an instant, as
bird pauses before taking wing. and
then laughlngly running between the
lines 10 where Olivia faced her In mock
objection.
To the charm OF the girl IN the wood
land was added now the dignity OF beau
tiful womanhoOd, and my heart leaped at
the thought that ] had ever spoken 10
her. that I was there because she had
taunted me with the risk OF coming
Above. on the stair landing. n deep
toned clock began 20 strike midnight and
every one cried Merry Christmasw and
"Olivia's won't and there was more
and-clapping, In which I Joined with
good will.
Some one behind mo was explaining
what had Just occurred. olivia the young
est daughter OF the house, had been de-
MED a glimpse Of the ball Miss Dever-
eux had made a wager with her host that
olivia would appear before midnight !:
and olivia had defeated the plot against
her. and gained the main hall at the
stroke OF Christmas.
Good night Good night" called Olivia
the real Olivia--in derision 20 the COM
pany, and turned and ran back through
the applaudins. laughing throng.
The specialized gentleman was Olivia's
father and he mockingly rebuked Marian
Devpreux for having encouraged an in
fraction OF parental discipline. while
she was twitting him upon the loss OF
his wager. Then her eyes rested upon me
for the FIRST time. She smiled slightly
but continued talking placidly 90 her host
CTo be continued tomorrow)