Denbighshire Free Press

TALL EIGHTS RSSEEVED.J i IN A CHRISTMAS FOG-j By EVELYN EVERETT-GREEN. I I. Sav, •stranger, where on earth are you going to? I beg ten thousand pare- I wish to goodness I knew '"Oh that's all right. No great harm dene, Only I'm mighty anxious not- to get spun xound. I bcli-eve I know where I am at the present moment," You're lucky, then. I wish I did." I "'Yell, just; you keep a grip of my arm. and I'll pilot you along a .spell. I stress I'm not j nior,e,it fifty yards from my own do-ar. Once I make euro of that, sse what we can do for you." j ''That's no end good of you, sir. Fact is, I was supposed to bo dining out to-night; "but my taxicab ran into so many lamp-posts that afc the last I took to niv feet. And now I'm lost in the fog. as once I Was lost in the bush; and really I don't.: know which i-s the bigger puzzle. And you really think you know where you arc" I think I do. I'll be clearer as to that in p„ few more minutes. Ni-,e'll s+ic" to- gcther to see the thing through. Ah-ha, what do I touch with my trusty 1aff ? A gate-post? Yes, and, unless I greatly err. my own gate- post at that Come in. sir; come right in out of this choking pca-scup. Mr sakes what a Christmas Eve YcuT. not get to your desti- nation for dinner, I t-.ika it. You just eomo along in and take pot luck with the missus and mo and our little girl. We want a. fourth pair of lees under our table, our lad being off and sway after the big gtiro." Th.s is extremely kind of you, sir don't mention it. C'hr'sfmas Eve. The more Hie merrier. Hi, there Is that you, Maria? Have you got the door Oh, Silas, I'm real thankful to hear your voice. I didn't see how ever you would get home. It's the :oo-t awful n-'ght. Come j along in before the f Bless me You're not alone, then? Got a >strang.n' in tow, old lady—one of them angels you entertain unawares. Ah that's good." as a door shut behind them, and rhe two ilIDil, cviifcd with the rime of the fog and the frost, found their.elves in a comfortable, square hall, lighted by electric burners and a. glowing fire, and decorated with the glossy green and scarlet and white of holly and mistletoe. Sir Guy Damerell had had r I most no idea as to the standing of the rrao with the American voice v, ho had offered to play friend in need. Now he realised that he must be a personage of substantial mear.n, for this was a very fi :e house, very richly fur- nished. although it- mi.-t.rc s had come forth herself to loojv anxiou-'v out. -no the foggy fight for her spouse. YThdst husband and wife spoke affectionately together, their jm- prompts guest was aware of music in the house—a very fee piano played by a. master hard. And even as he li-trncd a voice of in- i desrribable tsw-ce tress broke into little sn-ateh-es of liltii*^ -oug. Guy felt heart leap up and throb violently. He had a suspicion that he was blushing like a boy. That voice agaiii The very sound of it awoke memories and sug- gested visions, all of them so vivid that for the moment this holiy-drolced ball seemed to fade quite away, mtd he was under the. stars on the deck of a pleasure steamer, and a girl in wlrte was sitting not far away, a guitar iu her hands, and her voice "Say, stranger, you take ort ynur fur coat? all in tip-top trim for din- -oil ner. So I'll ton yon over to the missus and the jijtlc girl, while I do my bit of groomin'. It ain't no manner of Hl; your gi*izzlin' after those other baked meats the fog's cheated you out Of Indeed, sir. I am not likely to fall foul of the fog. And I thank you hirtrtilv for your most CF-. and kindly hospitality to- night." Then ho felt bis hand very kindly taken in that of his hostess, whilst her pleasant, com- fortable speech flowed easily on. ♦ iiirrr,. cvjnie -aicr«* into rne drawing-room NVO -)Ila. till Silas J-, ready. He won't be long. 1m real pleased to have a guest to-night^ and a young man guest at that. Our boy's awav a few thousands ef miles, after lions or ele- phants, or any dangerous big beast he can get a hot r.t. And at Christmas-time one feels the vacant place a bit. Cut conic along in. My meee wul Jieip to make things bneht for us. Delia, dear, here's father brought us a din- ner-guest out of the fog, so we be ouitc to oursehes after all. And, bless mo! I can't do the introducing properly, I've never asked Hill your name. But my man and I are 1Ú. and Mrs. Morweli, from the States; and this is my niece, Delia Fitz- alwyn All the time that Mrs. Mo ••well was speak- ing, the bri'i:,i tiv- JiglTtcd, flower-scented, luxuriously-appoiisted room, the tall, slender girl ho had ri en from the piano stool remained as though rooted to the spot, her eyes full en Guy Damc-rell's face. She was a girl of immense attraction, graceful and rood-like ia figure, with a lovely, dreamy face, and eyes like pools of liquid light. Now she stepped lightly forward with a grace of motion that was an embodied poem. You need not introduce Ufo, auntie. We have met each other before. Let me be the one to introduce your guest to you—Sir Guy Damerell. He was one of our parly last year upon the Ariadne." II. Silas, the very strangest thing you could 1 have thüught of: I Say, Maria, what's happened now. old l.d'? Come right in. and tell n:c whilst I slip inro my dinner tog Anything about that good-looking chap I hauled in out ofo- the; f('S?" Oh, Silas, it's everything about him, in- deed Do you know v. ho he is? "Kot the least in the world. Forgot to ask. D(;. -;n ? 11 Sila«, he 3 Sir Guy Damerell!" She paused a moment, as though to lot that piece of information ink down and do its work; but seeing that her words made no impression 1 upon her husband, she added: Silas, surely I you remember that trip Delia took on the Ariadne, and how, after she came back, she was different. And I must have told vou the I story that Miranda and the rest tokl to me. 13 o t! "Well, tell it again, old lady, so that I may catch on. Delia went off rather suddenly on that little jaunt with Joseph's young folks, and had a bully time, as we thought. And I yet, somehow, when she got hack, she seemed changed. And it wasn't long a^erwards ihat, our Bob came and told me that Delia had told him straight that she couldn't marry him, as we'd always planned. And that sent the boy i off to South Africa, where he still i3. How's that for my memory ? That's ail right, as far as it goes, Silas. And did you never put two and two together? And I'm sure I must have told you what Joseph's girls told me. They meant it for the best, and when they told me the tale I thought as they'd done the best thing. But it doesn't seem to have turned out for the best in the end." Take your time, old lady, take your time; but let's have the inside of the egg now you've done tapping on the shell." Silas, it was just this. Miranda and her listers saw it from the first. Sir Guy was the kind of man all the girls on board would naturally take notice of. There were plenty of 01:¡er5. no doubt. But }m had an air that got hold of them. But he never looked at any- body save Delia and after a bit it seemed to her cousins as though something ought to be done about it. They all knew that Boh was F¡a<1 after Delia, and that we had always meant them for one another. And Miranda was ui€ueldest*. iDvch.'ir.s; of h¡r sisters and of OUT gin, ana SUE WASN I NAPPY a on. -O i.»v having anvbodv older tliftii li-r. cl f to lake counsel with, she just acted off her own bat." \Vh::t díd ¡.;h,' d,t" "Why, just get hold of Sir Guy, (puet-like, one evening, and told him straight out that Delia was engaged to our Eoh, and wa* to have a big fortune by marrying him. which if anybody else. That's how Miranda put it "Did she, t'rovgh? Well, well, well—'ii-n'i quite like that either. I never meant to put pressure on the lassie. 1 thought she and Bob were sure to take to each ether. And ihe won't ever lack for a lit tie fortune, though, naturally, it would have been a fine settlement if she'd-married our own boy. But I was ) never the mall to try and force square pegs, into round holes. Go on, Mur:a, what hap- 'I pened after that? "Sir Guy left the ship at the next port, scarcely even saying good-bye. And Delia never spoke his name alterwa' d-. And yet Miranda said she was never quite the same since. Silas Morwcll was rapidly dressing himself, turning these thoughts over in his mind. Then his hearty laugh rang out. Well, well, we1! The world's a. small place, as always known. And jot's Christ- mas Eve, and here's Dime Fortune pushed the lovers into each others' arms again. Say, I old lady, he's a fine young chap. And we've got over that little soreness about our boy. I First cousins and all-)erliaixi it's no ttieh great harm done. AlId I like the sound of Lady Damerell for our little Delia tc) b, simple as all that. Delia was terribly hurt at the way he left that ship. She didn't know any cause, and you know what young things are. Likely she thought that he had gone to get out of her way. There were some vulgar young people on board, Mi randa said, dead jealous of our Delia, since none cf them could hold a candle to her. And one never knows when a cruel hint may be dropped, and a cut- ting saeer hit like a uhip-l;sh. I'm sure it's been something like that with Delia. You should have seen her eyes as she came for- i r d just now—and heard the tone of her voice! Not silly ;pite or vulgar anger; but a sort of holding herself aloof, out of a different sort of world. I can't do it—but Delia always could." j Mr. Morrell was laughing heartily. "Good little Delia! I with spunk. Well, Maria, it's Christmas Eve. and such a fog as Ave don't see twice in a decade. I reckon we'll have that joker on our hands all night. Have a room ready for him, and enough of Bob's clothes to make him comfortable. They're ¡ not so mightily differently built. And we'll see iis-liolli- whether things can't be put fair and square for 'cm both before the Christmas bells have done ringing." Ol- I'm so glad you take it like that! What a good idea I'll go and see about a, room this very moment, and some of Bob's things for night and to-morrow morning. And go you down to ihe drawing- room Cjuie kb •, and see what is happening j there. For Delia is riding her highest horse and he, poor young man, no doubt thinks site's going to be the bride of another in double-quick time. Dear me, dear me What a kettle of fish for Christmas Eve III. The young people were on opposite sides of the glowing Christm- s fire. Deha's young dark henrI, with its clustering curls so charm- | ingly picturesque, was held high. Her large eyes were brilliant, her delicate, vivid face held ail manner of meanings, but no smallest hint of self-surrender or maiden softness cr appeal. The man was looking at her with worship in his eyes—there was no mistaking ) the feeling which energised him—and she was speaking with great vivacity and animation, as though resolved that no pause should fall between them, that no opportunity should be given to him to select the subjects for dis- cussion between them. ] The tension of the atmosphere relaxed somewhat upon Mr. Morwell's entrance. It still further relaxed "Ileil his kindly wife i bustled into the room, bringing with hc-r floods of reminiscence of former Christmas festivals and Christmas fogs; and drawing out their guest to talk to them about himself, and how lie had been wont to pass his Christ- mas Days. me goort cneev upon tne uospuabic ooaru, i the sparkling vine, excellent in quality, the general fc;tniiy rf the dome; t:c entourage, all served to allay formality, and iu their guest j- they had. a highly intelligent and well-in- formed man, able to talk in an arresting fashion, and whose experiences had been* often of a quite thrilling character, though he laughed when told this, and begged his lis- teners not to beiieve too mueh of any travellers' talcs." j Sirs. Morweli, obsessed by a kindly curi- fi-olitI osity, drew from him a few personal facts. i He had no parents or near relations living, i j He was soruewhat of a waif and a stray. The family property had been let on lease during his minority, and at his .majority he had granted the tenant a further term of seven i years. j j Th is iar, a'most expired, and shortly » i lis must take up his own-abode on his pro- ) perty and manage it himself. Mrs. Morwcll j beamed. ''How interesting!" He admitted that this ought to he so; but it was a lonely sort of prospect. Then, as though drawn by some magnet, his eyes met Delia's acro-s the I table. Her rich, delicate colour flamed. In his eyes the heart-hunger was plainly to be seen. The motherly heart of the hostess was deeply stirred. Why, of cour.se, hero was the right match for her beautiful sister's bcauti- ful child! She bed married into an old fri-h fa mily. Delia was thoroughbred from top I to fe". It had been foolish to think that she would ever have made a fit mate for their Bob. But as Lady Damerell, of Damerell Court, how she would shine Her beauty to-night was dazzling; but there was a hauteur in her manner not to be mistaken by the old people who loved her, and who knew her every mood. Plainly she had taken offence at something in the manner of Sir Guy's abrupt departure from the Ariadne, and she had not forgotten or for- ( given. But these loved her so truly and understood hsr so well that they Mere not deceived. She cared still for this handsome stranger. She would not else have clad herself ii^this shin- ing, protective armour. And when the two men v. erc alone together, Hr. Morweli very simply and very frankly told to his guest that story which an hour or so ago his wife had told to him. Guy Damerell became excited. He rose and paced ip down the long ro(-ii. Do you moan to tell me that Miss Fitzahvyn is not engaged to be married to your tOld" 1 do. I will not deny that my wife and I -n desired the marriage for many years. Bob would have liked to win his pretty cousin, and for a time all seemed going well. Eut after that t I)CI;L C'lme back to us different. We all found it out. Poor Bob got his conge, and went off to console himself; and my missus 1:25 always told me that the girl lost her heart, on board that pleasure-boat —and has never found it again." Guy's bronzed face was suffused with colour. Wait a bit. I know jost what you're going to say. The lady does not appear to favour you. Thai's so. But my wife and I guess that there was some spiteful sort of tittle- tattle talked on board after you disappeared, and that our little girl got her feathers up somehow. Oh, don't ask me the kind of thing that happens when gids gossip to-eilier, Heaven knows what mares' nests they may concor-t among 'em—ble?s 'em But I "guess our little gul got hold of a notion that you thought she was pursuing you How could she—how could she ? It was I all the while till "Just so. But that's how it would appeal to her, .young and proud as that kind is. SO now listen, young man. We want to sec the little one made happy, and we believe you're the man to do this. You can't get away from here to-night. Fog gets thicker and thicker, and there's a room and some of our boy's clothes for night and morrow all ready for you. But Delia isn't going to know anything I about that.* Loi-, bacii tl), the lake's, aud nraite _i?rsrTr verr ciinrrniny. f t" up Delia all you know; get down her guards if you can itnv way, you 11 bring the old feeling back a lot. Then she goes to bed. She sup- poses you will take yourself off in due course. And if she has been a bit si.iirty to you she'll lie awake half the night eating out her heart, and wondering whether you will ever come again. She'll wish she'd done cvery. thing different. Oh, I know the pretty dearsl 0 too ;u>w hornt and round—same as the lads for the matter cf that, and I was a Sad ore3 myself. She'il get up Christmas morning with an rchc in her heart, and com down-t^ir.s v.onder.'ng—dr.-nnrng. Aad there's a b'a hunch of mistletoe hang- ing in I ho hall, and if there isn't a hand- SOnl2 young fellow v. atchiug his chance to take her in his kisi away all the silly fog iil her brain—well, then that young fellow is a bigger fool than I took him for, Sil,,Is When Guy re entered the drawing room little later it was to find Delia at the piano. There was a new H1;d vivid light in his c-jes as lie went straight towards her. She had playing Chopin, a little stormily, but now her hands lay mute upon the key; He looked down at her and said: "Do you remember our concerts on the Araidne? Shall we s'ng again orr duet — the cne which always took the house by dorm? No doubt Mr. and Mrs. Morwcll will like to hear us in our crack part. We used to think our voices went rattier well together." For a moment she had the look cf a bird fluttering away from a snare. Then, with a dainty gesture of the l ead and a slightly haughty Fit cf the chin, she gave him his way. Her fingers struck the chords, and soon the gay, musical dialogue was being taken up frat by one clear, tuneful voice, then by the other, and at intervals blending to- gether ili delightful harmony. The old people beside the health watched and laughed, boat time, and exchanged glances; and tha hands of the clack stole slowly round and round the dial, whilst the young man and maiden lingered together over the pieco, though it appeared as though no other subject than music was suffered be tween tue\i. "I am tired," said Delia, suddenly, rising from the music-stool and crossing towards th-cr hearth. h,,s st!cji a lot to tlii,!k Gf a;-id (ic, itist before Christmas. I want a long night to get rested. And I hops that the log will be over and that the sun will shine. Good- night, Sir Guy. Curious to have met again like this! I think it is rather your way to appear and disappear—rather like a Cheshire cat." "I shall very.soon disappear in this fog if But once I get out in it again, he said. "But 1 must not quarrel with my fog-frienu to-night, since it Ins brought mo such a charming Christmas Eve." Delia's faea was a little pale as she quietly swept from the room. Her aunt was perfectly aware that she had been putting pressure on herself, and was half afraid of some break- down of her defences. They all looked after her till she disappeared; and then Mrs. Mor- weli ooenlv wiped her eve,. Pray creature." she softly breathed; we shall miss her sorely when she leaves the nest; but you will be good to her, Sir Guy, I know." That husband and wife were heart aud soul in this little plot was Gin's chiefest hope. Io him Delia seemed so aloof, so distant. And although he had dexterously woven into lus talk that evening certain things whiuh might Trc(!;fN- L-or points, he had not regained the old ground that once they had fearie^iv trodden together And yet—and yet those who knew her best gave him most confidence,.aji.d hope. 1 i KJ ciraiu, J" vxuv, «»..wui- wcll tc.:f1 him, squeezing his hands es she taw him to his cemfo-Ttable rocm. Faint heart never v. oil fair lady. C got your hold on hers—jrst you gr'p it. TrJ.e her in v-jur arms, and never mind if she does struggle for a bit. Hold her faster and light:r—don't let her go. That's the way her kind is won. And Heaven bless you both, and a happy Christinas to yon:" For the clocks vere striking and the hells were pealing forth, and ail around him throbbed a great and gloriou- pulsating joy. If Guy Darnerell did not sleep much that' night, he felt no weurines* as ho rose next morning to sunshine and the glitter cf fro t. He found himself overlooking the river-—in some big iii and the well-cut clothes he donned fitted him sufficiently well for comfort and appearance. Down into the vell-waun. d lial! he stepped. He saw the big bunch cf mistletoe hanging overhead, and quietly lie smiled b himself. He sat in an angle beneath the greenery, where the glow of the fire touched him, and he kept his face averted from the staircase. A door had opened above, aud in a moment or. two he heard a light foota'l and the soon d of silken rustlings. Suddenly there was a pause, and a little startled exclamation—the hurrying down- wards of flying feet. [ Bob—dear old Eoi) Have you come beck for C!J¡-jsJnas :.ïft:-r aP? j Articulate speech was lost next moment in a startled cxclauiat:o:i. Strong arms had folded themselves about Delia, and a face looked down at her as she stru.'gV-'i to free herself. "Under the mistletoe, Delia—my life—my queen Un:?c-r ti e mistletoe—fairly enight! And Guy Damerell hold to li s heart the woman whom he loved, and kissed her once, twice, thriee. "Let me go, sir, let me go! How oarQ you ? '• Kisi-i mo, Delia—kiss me first." t III When you have kir^esl me—darling." Guy, let me go When I have had my mistletoe kiss." "Oh, Guy, you are so strong! :1, Delia, you are so sweet." But, but Oh, somefody will eomo "1\.¡;5 me. then—and kiss me quick! Delia, my darling, my darling, I have had a very bad time, and been a good many kinds of a fool. But it is Christmas morning, and I want to be-happy. Only you can make me so." Then she kissed him under the mistletoe, and hands in the gallery above sounded a loud applause. (THE E:,D.I ""#