The Dillon herald. [volume] (Dillon, S.C.) 1894-????, 1909-12-23
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"oS ShristmaS Eve. Inc snow,
which had been falling all day now
turned to rain. The dreary drizzle
Gent a chill to the air.
Mrs Mallory stood at her drawing
room window. held back the dark vel
vet curtains and looked out on the
silent avenue. There were few pedes-
Iians In sight. Now and then a car
<age came under the electric light,
and the watcher at the window
caught glimpses of the dainty raj
ment Of the occupants as they whirled
&ayly past on their way to some
christmas festivity.
Christmas festivity!" she repeated
aloud. and her voice was low and
tense and expressed her pent up scorn
and weariness Of the whole Christmas
seasonA
She stood thus for a few moments,
staring out into the night. The
uamask portiere was pushed aside
with quick. light motion. and a slim
neatly attired maid appeared in the
doorway. Her eyes fairly danced
with delight, and though she spoke
with demure dignity It was evident
that something highly p!easing to her
fancy was afoot.
docs 1t please you that 1 come in
now, madam" she asked, with q
quaint little accent that would at once
mark her Parisienne-hed her trim
appearance not already done so. Mrs.
Mallory turned slowly from the win
dow.
Yes, Janette, you may bring in
my Christmas gifts" There was a
trace Of irony in the last two words.
out her manner was entirely naughty
and Indifferent. She crossed the room
and sat In large armchair Of rare
ataiian hand-carved wood. The pale
violet lamp screen on the table beside
her shed soft light, and the rose
aight from the great open fire caught
gieam now and then from the jewels
On her fingers. 1t was a curious
Wight. the combination OF the rose
and violet, but 1t was almost wierdly
lovely. Mrs. Mallory was a beauti-
ful woman-a stern. classic beauty.
The folds of her black velvet gown
1ell about her In simple stately grace:
her bare neck and shoulders Cl.amed
hair was gray about the temples, and
der deep dark eyes were at times in
e1pressibly sad She was lonely, but
she was proud, and none knew Of her
-sad Christmas I've. She had refused
scores of invitations, ard was keeping
her Christmas Eve as was her custom,
having her gifts brought to her there
In the dimly-liShted drawing-room.
Her husband was keeping his
christmas Eve, as was his custom, in
the great dense forest. M. Mallory
was what the world calls an upright
man-honored on the street, of a
fint-like integrity in his business.
His word was as good as a bond. He
surrounded his wife with every pos
sible luxury. excepting the one price
less luxury for which woman would
sacrifice all others--friendshiD and
comradeship. These he reserved for
a few old friends. men who had been
Through financial battles with him.
who had shared his college frolics and
studies.
That afternoon he had hurried IN.
gathered up his hunting traps and
started of: He had given his wife a
check-a princely sum-aud said:
Just buy yourself little trinket,
Victoria. my dear. and have a nice
cline at the Van Arden's tonight"
IF he had only bought me a little
something himself" she thought. sad
W. "If 1t were only a few fiowers!"
Janette came in, followed by a foot
man in gorgeous livery CARVING n
large number OF little packages of
all shapes and sizes. He came sew
eral times and arranged the pack
ages as .Ianette directed. The maid
was all little fiutterings and happi-
ness and fitted from this box to that