Page:Old ninety-nine's cave.djvu/238

 Deep down in the bowels of the earth is an underground city in whose streets the miners are delving and sending the precious metal to the surface.

Something unusual is in the wind at The Laurels. All is excitement and bustle of preparation for some great event. Again and again are the rooms inspected to see that everything is all right, the fires are kept burning that no one may take cold. Four o'clock brings Celeste who, with Elisha, will be among those to receive Jack and Dora with the niece and nephews, who are the only grandchildren.

Celeste is a trifle more matronly, which only enhances her beauty, and she follows Cornelia about the house, Cornelia feeling that if Celeste approves there is no cause for criticism.

Jack is coming home and the telegram said he would reach Nootwyck to-morrow morning.

The air had been spring-like all day with occasional flurries of snow, but by evening the ground was white. As night came on, the