Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-12-19
Alva's Christmas Present
BY Mrs. Randolph Peyton.


masonry. Alva and Phoebe fingered
for a moment on the broad shallow
steps. Here Phoebe dreamed of the
Sicilian beauties sweeping down these
same steps 10 the sumptuous burges
with their velvet hanginGs.
Here in the brilliant sparkling Sicily
it was difficult to realize that it was
Christmas Day.
But come lets get into the barca
It's such "a pretty name for a boat, just
like Sicily. Don't YOU feel all sorts OF
presenccs about YOU? why. the very
air is thick with them"
Alva nodded. He too felt the sense
OF enchantmcnt. And il one postulates
ghosts at all. Sicily must be a rcndez-
vOuS for them. Every inch Of that
island is impreenated with traditions.
1t has ever been the thcater Of brilliant
exploits and striking follies. Strange
cult hourishcd here and dark tragedies
were enacted. The splendid, reckless
policies OF .ods and men couspired to
make the island famous Phoebe had
stepped herself in the traditions Of
Sicily.
Alva took the oars and pulled leisure
ly through the waters. flushed with
rainbow colors. Gliding beneath the
yellow plumcs of the papyrus, Phoebe
Sazed dreamily upon the landscape
1T is impossible 20 believe this is
Christmas Day. This lovely Pagan
at all"
NO. replied A!va. lit is thoroughly
Pagan. And. after all. Christmas was
originally n Pagan holiday. Even now
many of the ancient rites have sur
iS O.. no
own. YOU see. She doesn't propose to
get up any Christmas card scenes for
YOU or anybody else.
NO fairy tales nor witch hath
power TO charm" quoted Phoebe
"!ut the reckless fairies around these
parts have no more respect for religious
festivals than they have for police
regulations"
The old myths hold their own vet
admitted Alva. 'Banished by logic and
science. they contrivc TO get them
selves incorporated into our speech and
sentiments. They simply don't know
when they're beaten
Don't scold The naughty nymphs
II is hard lines for them TO have TO
cvacuate such n lovely place" And
Phoebe hung the whitcst hand in the
world over the boat to caresS tho dn ne
ing waves. Did people really believe
in those things, Alva, or was il just
fad
Alva undertook to explain how the
old myths had Travelled along the am
cicnt trade routes, modified by the
character and prevailing traditions OF
tho various trading posts. lie told Of
the myths gradually dissolving like
painted vapors, with Aristotle preach
opening up new vistas OF thought
with men like the brilliant Alcibiadcs
leading wild youth in their midnight
orgies lie touched upon the deadly
torpur that had settled over the world
until the silent influences penetrated the
darkness like a shaft Of light from an
angels wing. And the obscure cult
born in the tragedy of Calvary had
changed the face of the world
rs Alva talked he tried to decide
which mood became Phoebe the most.
She looked at him subdued and tender.
i'ut each mood clothed her with u new
charm. \ tumult OF wild thouS S
surged up in his heart, but words ~
fused to come to his aid. So they
p,attlcd about other things. Ihorbr
referred to the latest sensation shat
has startled the country-side the myS-
terious knight In a strange black habit
whiylinr through field and grove on Il
sable charger. Many Of the peasants
rcrardcd him as supernatural visi-
tunt others were skeptical and vowed
here WAS no black horscman. I: w;is
y phantom of some ones tlisca sed
imagination and operated with vivid
suggestion upon the credulous peasant
folk.
81 wonder who it can be-" reflected
GhCebe.
oh. It's some frcakish tourist. |
darcsa or, perhaps. IT'S another al.
Vchturer who wants to exploit sicily"
Maybe it's new order like the
Malta suggested Phoebe. "Eut. look,
W" have almost reached the Fountain
If ''vane. That spot is tho scene Of
,luo's escapade."
Yes. that Pluto was y desperate fol
nlace even now for charming Young
ladies' suppose he tried to ahduct
.rU."
ooh. guess he. learned better man
n"rs ny this time say. all this
irak"s nc feel like reading Haw-
'horrc's 'Tanglcwood Tales like
the place where l'r"scrpine pulls M
: tn" flower by the roots and disclosca
a Snhterrancan cavern
Won't this do as Well" Alva read
a passage from ovid describing the
. ste The fountain would have been
lovely For its own sake even without
It's iral" % shiinn"ring lore. The deep
!Zur, of its waters seemed to diffuSc
d"i"at" sympathicS along The hanl.
where the blues and puppies "f iris
and lpin glowcd amid a hos, of other
blossoms. The delicate fcathcry
masses "t maidcmhair fern waved about
the Sides Of the spring:
HEo"h" rcvcled in the meadows caiIy
3liih"l"d with flowers. Standing
VAST deep among the poppies, her lap
hrhnminr with blossoms, Alva fanricd
SIZE was another rrnserpinc
on ar" I'roscrpne," iiC iuSis;"h
lie darling" Phoebe was still uccI-
pi'" with ghosts. And both seemed
I" 50" wraith!ikc figure dariiur
about her kirtlc TILED with lowers
fh' flaming n"ppics that dazZlcd their
eyes miGh; have helped this illusion
Th' reflection of their fiery CLEANS
could illuminate the mental image that
"ir|adN rrcposscSSch their fancy.
You are rroserpinc and ndjurc
YOU I" 10 careful. protest it's "a