LITERATURE.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2262, 2 July 1881, Page 4

LITERATURE.

A MIDWINTER ROMANCE. I {Continued.) Nature was propitious, for when tho plea-sure-seekers left the cars the night was clear, the sky flooded with moonlight, and tho lonely roads beaten into crisp, hard, aoowtracks. Everyone was hilarious, and their spirits rose until fcho staid officials of the littie country station stared at them in surprise. Twenty minutes of hunting for baggage, and sett ing feminine flounces and wrappings In the great sleighs, an hour’s ride, and they drove up to an old home, —a sombre pile shut up by dismal firs and cypresses, but now ablaze with lights. Tho ureathaUdoor swung open and disclosed Mrs Grant-Fer-gnson, majestic in black velvet and diamonds, and radiant with hospitality, while Janet stood In the background, a bright spot of color in the old fashioned room. No matter in what gala array she appeared, she was always a domestic picture, and so quiet in a way peculiar to herself that one would have bsen at a loss to know whether to call her timid or self-possessed. < It’s going to ho a success thought the hostess, drawing a sigh of relief as the gailyattired troup poured down to dinner, and again, more emphatically, wheu they sat at -the long table glittering with its modern wealth, in high contrast with the bare walls of the room ‘ Its a success,’ she pronounced two hours after, when, from her chair of state, she watched them dancing in the old kitchen, while the music came mysteriously from an unused bedroom, where the players had been stationed. * I am inclined to think your ladyship a genius ’ said Carl, sauntering up and giving himself ss nearly his usual lounging posture as it was possible to do in a stiaight-backed, old-fashioned chair. *lt makes a picture worthy the baud of a real artist. See how tho bright dresses and faces light up the hare boards and rafters. Look at Keller: isn’t he like an old Norse god with his deep blue eyes and lion’s mane of hair ? Leonora Humboldt, too, is simply magnificent. Did you ever be'ore see such purple black hair or a turn of neck and shoulders like hers ?’ ‘She is very handsome, ’ returned the lady, prudently. ‘ But don’t admire her too much; I have views for her which must not be Interfered with by compliments from you ucntnarrying men.’ Carl’s lip curled an impeceptible hit under hia moustache before he said coolly, ‘Ah ! do explain. I should be sorry to frustrate any deep design of yours.’ * Well, I’ll tell you,’ said tho widow, with a sudden gush of confidence ; ‘ I am so much of a woman that I must have my matchmaking plans, and I have thought of two romances which I am determined shall bo well under way before we leave here, because it isn’t once in a hundred times that such an opportunity presents itself. In the first place, I want Tom Cheney to fall in love with Leonora ; and then there are two others who must bo mated. Of all the men here, it seems to me Professor Keller needs a -wife most. These Germans are domestic, you know, and I think he would be very happy in a home of his own. Now, whom do yon think I mean to give him V * Well, to tell the truth, I know of no one over whom you have such power of life and death as to lead her blindfold into matrimony, except your fair self,’ said the young man, with cool impudence, ‘ Nonsense! I doa’t mean to assume control of the affair; 1 shall only make It easy for -them to come to their own conclusions. You oan’t guess? Why, my Janet, to be sure. You are surprised P’ * Yoi, I must confess I am.’ * Wall, I own I am generous, to be willing to give Janet up. but everything must yield to my love of a love story. I know ha likes her, she ia suoh a quiet dear, and makes such a pretty picture by the fire sewing. He has been ia two or three times to read German poetry, and really seems to admire her. Of course you won’t a.iy anything ? And would you be so good as to find Janet for me ? I want to ask her about breakfast. ’ Carl found her in the dining-room unpacking an extra supply of silver. ‘ Does auntie want me?’ she asked, as he came in. ‘ Thank you ; and don’t wait for me. please. I’ll come in a moment.’ He did wait, and when she was ready drew her hand through his arm. ‘Your fingers are like ice,’ he said, so impetuously and unlike his usual self that she looked up in surprise. ‘ You will get your death in this brt ezy old house.’ * Why, it is perfectly warm, ’ exclaimed Janet. ‘ There is a fire in every room.’ * Never mind; you must not take cold,' he insisted again; and Janet was in a glow all the evening from his tone more than the fires, and forgot what an unnecessary caution it was. There are times when we like unreason. Professor Keller had been dancing with Miss Humboldt, and when he resigned her to an artiet in a velveteen coat (‘Which wo tolerate becanse he ia undoubtedly a genius, ’ said Mrs Grundy) stopped for a moment by Carl. ‘ Isn’t she a Brunhilda ? ’ he said, tossing back his tawny hair. Ah 1 snob women as ehe inspire the poets. No wonder they named her Leonora ; she would be royal throned a pile of lion-skins. But how unlike are women 1 Now, there ia a dove, ’ turning to look at Janet, who stood watching tho dancers, gently keeping time with the quiet movements of her fan. Carl made no answer to the professor, but went over to Janet and asked her to give him the waltz that was just beginning. ‘ Thank yon, but I seldom dance round dances,’ she said, with a little hesitation, a ■flush creeping into her cheeks. ‘ You will make an exception to-night for me ? ’ he pleaded, ‘ I would rather not make exceptions for any one,’ she answered, with a quaint dignity ; and Carl liked her the better for being in a way unapproachable, while he found a satisfaction in the thought that if ehe did not waltz with him she would with no one else.

Bo the days went on, and each one was a triumph to Mrs Qrant-Ferguson. Her plans prospered famously. The Morleys flirted with the Howards, Miss Duncan made exquisite sketches of winter scenery, and any one who prided himself or herself on a special talent had ample opportunity for displaying it. They played ‘ Crambo ’ sometimes of an evening, in which Harry Ritter —a poet in a email way —distinguished himself. Half a dozen young ladles who had brought their music played it to their hearts’ content; Leonora sang divinely, and Tam Cheney was as devoted to her as even Mrs tJrant-Fergu-son could wish. It was whispered that she Intended to go on to the stage and give her voice and beauty to the public ; but this she did not confess.! Finally the company became aware of a small domestic drama going on in their midst, and watched its progress furtively, hut without in the least understanding i's meaning. The two most prominent men of the party, Professor Keller and Carl Gilson, had apparently devoted themselves to the mogt insignificant woman, Janet Ayres. In neither case did it seem to imply positive love-making. The professor was certriuly cool about it, and Carl had attached himself to her in such a matter-of-fact style that Janet could not decide withiu herself whether it was a more exclusive attention thin he gave to other women or simply because, being her aunt’s friend, ha felt a prnprlcfo-y interest in all that belonged to her. Mrs Grant-Ferguson herself was not shrewd. She accepted all incense as burned for her own nose, though it might be at the shrine of another. Gradually the professor grew pale and distraught. Ho did not join heartily in amusements, bat sat usually by Janet sometimes talking, but oftener watching her hands, which wore seldom without some pretty, feminine work, * Did yon ever see a man so changed ?’ whispered the widow to Carl, triumphantly. *lf he isn’t in love, then I’m mistaken in the symptoms, I’d give—oh, I’d give a fortune to know if Janet likes him. little moose ! she is too deep for me to fathom. Ton are a student of homan nature ; watch her and tell me what you think.’ ‘Madam,’ said Carl, with an emphasis that made her start, ‘I must decline taking part in the affair in any capacity, ’ Mrs Grant-Ferguson shrunk within herself quite humbly, and did not allude to the matter again. J (To he continued )