Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1909-12-15

She stood thus for a few moments,
staring out into the night. The
damask portiere was pushed aside
with a quick, light motion. and a slim,
neatly attired maid appeared in the
doorway. Her eyes fairly danced
, with delight, and though she spoke
with a demure dignity it was evident
that something highly pleasing to her
fancy was afoot.
Docs it please you that 1 come in
now, madam" she asked, with a
quaint little accent that would at once
mark her Parisienne-had her trim
appearance not already done SO. Mrs.
Mallory turned slowly from the win
dow.
Eyes, Jaiette, you may bring in.
my Christmas gifts" There was a
trace of irony in the last two words,
but her manner was entirely naughty
and Indifferent. She crossed the room
and sat in a large armchair of rare
Italian hand-carved wood. The pale
violet lamp screen on the table beside
her she'd a soft light, and the rose
light from the great open fire caught
a CLEAN now and then from the jewels
on her fingers. 1t was a curious
light, the combination of the rose
and violet, but it was almost wierdly
lovely. Mrs. Mallory was beauti-
full woman-a stern, classic beauty.
The folds of her black, velvet gown
fell about her in simple stately grace;
her bare neck and shoulders cleaned
white against the dark chair. Her
hair was gray about the temples, and
her deep dark eyes were at times in
e~Spressib1y sad. She was lonely, but
sheswas proud, and none kney of her
sad Christmas Eve. She had refused
scores OF Invitations, and vas keeping
her Christmas Eve as was her custom.
having her gifts brought to her there
In the dimly-lighted drawing-room.
Her husband was keeping his
Christmas Eve, as was his custom, in
the great dense forest. Mr.. Mallory
was what the world calls an upright
man-hoEc-ed 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
Eible luxury, excepting the one price
less luxury for which a IONA would
sacrifice all others-friendship and
comradeship. These he reserved for
2 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-and said:
Just buy yourself 8 little trinket.
Victoria. my dear, and have a nice
time at the Van Arden's tonight"
..'If he had only bought me a little
something himself" she thought, sad
iy. eff it were only a few fowers!"
Janette came in, followed by a foot
man in gorgeous livery carrying a
large number of little packages OF
all shapes and sizes He came sew
eral times and arranged the pack"
ages as Janette directed. The maid
was all little flutterings and happi-
ness and fitted from this box to that
In a perfect whirlwind of joy. This
vas a rare treat, opening Madame's
Christmas gifts.
"Oh, they are so many!" she cried.
81 do not know which m to open
irst."
Gift after gift was held out to Mrs.
Mallory, but she looked at each in
differently and sometimes impatient
ly. They were all given from a sense
of duty, she knew that. Climbers on
the social ladder wished to be her
friends, that they might through her
influence open the closed doors of
society. Those in her W set liked
her as we'll as women who live for
fashion and society are capable of
liking one another. Charity organi-
cations courted her favor, for she was
always ready to respond TO their calls.
;. Unlike many of the women of her &C
quaintance, she went personally to