, 1859-12-23
sTEILACOOM WASHINGTON TERRITORY FRIDAY DEC 2 1885,

sits beside her plying her needle; and on the floor
beside the candle is little girl, also sewing.
"Mary," said the invalid, " do put by work for
q little time. 1t is Christmas Eve; surely you
may rest q few minutes" -.
Rap! rap rap! Mary opened the door, and
then gave cry Of delight.
"0h, Lizzie, come here, and help me carry in
these thingsl They are marked with our name.
This little tree must be for you; and here is =
large basket"
Lizzie assisted in bringing them In; and, while
she danced with true childish delight around the
tree, the elder sisters opened the basket
"a turkey, pies and oysters for YOU, dear Jessie,
our Christmas dinner; and here's bottle Of
wine, and oranges, and white grapes, and this lit
tie box-ten dollars! Oh, Jessiel who can have
sent theml"
Gods blessing go with the giverI" said the
invalid, softly. "Now you may rest on Christ
mas Day. How long the basket will last US |
Mary, dear, you forgot to close the door" And
again three watchers were shut out
We have not room to follow in Effie's footsteps
that happy evening Here there was an alng
baby relieved by generous gift Of money to pay
doctor; here whole party Of children made
joyful; in another place, a studious boy was made
happy for months by judiciously selected books;
and in one place poor, childless widow had an
order for groceries enough to last whole year,
besides her Christmas dinner
AT about ten O'Clock, Efie, Claire, and Carrie,
came home again as tired and happy trio as were
in that city on Christmas Eve, 1854.
Thenext morning Clarence went into his sisters
room and said, "Effe, Gerald talks Of leaving me.
Leaving your"
The pretty little sunbeam was very pale.
"Yesl he's going out west"
Etfie bent her head, and lowered her eyes.
"Efiel little sisterl how pale you arel You
tired yourself last night"
"NO, mol Imean yes. Why is he going west ?"
"Iwill tell you. Efie, can you fancy me doing
q dishonorable actG"
mo"
"Well, did one last night. l went, after
left you, to see Gerald. found him writing q
letter. peeped over bis shoulder, and read it,
and then crept away again. leaving the envelOp
told you about week ago; and he does not know
l was near him; but know his secret"
@Secret?"
ayes. He's in love"
%GeraldI"
"Yes, Gerald. In love with an heiressl Did
you ever hear Of such presumptionl He poor
clerkl"
swell" said EfRe, firing up, "he's better than
one-half the gentlemen that come here, If he Is q
clerk. Any woman might be proud Of Gerald
Hastings love-" Then, colOring and confused at
having committed herself she stopped
"He is in love with an heiress, and afraid TO
offer himself" said Clarence, not needing her con-
fusion, for fear she would think him fortune
hunter. Efie, can you guess who it is he loves"
Silence.
"Efie, may give my little sister to Gerald
Hastings for Christmas giftl"
Still silence.
"Efie, do you love him? Would you leave
me, Efiie, to marry him3
ave need not leave you. We can all live
here. We"
"Pretty welll" said Clarence, opening his arms,
aud receiving his little sister in . close embrace.
Pretty WE'LL There, don't blush sol he Is wOr-
thy Of you. say with my whole heart, that
shall give my sincere good wishes to you both,
and be willing to give up my sunbeam to tighten
the path Of man esteem so highly as Gerald.
And, kissing Effie again and again, he left her
with parting directions to look as pretty posi-
BILE, for Gerald was coming to dinner; and be
depended upon her to keep him from going west
Gerald Hastings was walking slowly up and
down the large parlor when bis employer came In
Gerald, he said, sternly, walking up 20 him
"you have repaid my hospitality with ungrateful
conduct Did /, when | allowed, courted your
visits, give you any permissions" Clarence
could not support bis sternness. A sunny smile
was dimpling in the corners Of his mouth, which
made Gerald's heart bound with hope add !
give you, l repeat any permission to fall in love
with my sisterIn
Gerald folded his hands like timid school-boy,
and ialtered: "Please, sir, couldn't help It."
Eilie stood in heentry. She looked very lovely,
her golden curls and bright complexion being
heightened by her rich mazarine blue silk dress.
Clarence came out to her. $50 in," he said !;
Somebody wants to see YOU"
About an hour afterwards, Clarence, coming in
again, found Efie's curls falling over the breast
Of black coat and the sleeve Of the same gar
ment encircling the blue dress "Well, ,"he said,
stopping short, ii there was ever seen such pre-
sumption! Efie, come here"
81 had rather stop where am" said sweet
sivery voice.
"You hadp Well, if the mountain won't come
to Mohammed, MOhammed must 60 to the noun
tain. There, Gerald, think you have received
about as valuable Christmas present as any one
in town. Be clreful Of Il; cherish IT,"
Need we say any more, readerl Eflie, Clarence
and Gerald were as happy a trio as dined on that
Christmas day; and Gerald did not 80 out west