The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1861-01-17
Under The ChIistmasTree.

"a gentleman to see you. Miss Neenie. +"
a delicate flush crept up and ki.sed
Necnie Aiuswor;h's lev. round forehead
stained the Zip Of her Tiny ear and rested
IL pink waves against the dainty lace ruff
&c in tie neck el her crimson meriro dress.
Eye and check were thrilled by some pleas
ant thought, bur size did not look up from
her books, only saying in an even quiet
voice.
VERY well. Say will be down in e
few mements
Bul when abe was aloue she arose very
quickly. shook ou: tbs folds of her neat
dress, glanced down at The little slippers
Just bit worn--smoothed with small,
unsteady fingers the shining waves of
bronze brown hair. casting shy glance
at the Sweet flushed face in the mirror, the
sight of which made her blush all the
more beautifully. What was the meaning
OF all this? Whose coming was it that had
put this little heart in such futter? All
the little tripping feet that sprang SO light
ly down the stops mus. hava Known
The parlor door was ajar, and pushing
it open she stood within. in the luxurious
room. made by the heavily draped crimson
curtains. But the room was evidently SOL
itary in its silken warmth. The fsstoons
ofeyergreeus cleaned dimly on the walls;
and IN one coener stood the Christmas
tree--whose magical light and bloom and
fruition. had made so many young hearts
glad but the evening before--bars and de-
serted row. and rhied Of all it's fairy
wealth. There was a slight futtering
among the branches rs Neenie approach.
ed the tree. and a white dove fsw out and
nestled on her shoulder. Caressing il
with her cheek and "cooing" softly to call
its mate. Neenie came nearer and put
cut her hand en- which it alighted.
You little darlings! How l love you'll"
And in tondling her favortes she almost
forgot the object of her visit to the paror,
or 10 wonder at not meeting any one,
when something cold. that seemed to be
attached 10 The neck of Que Of the doves.
touched her hand, and going to the near
est window she found i! to be plain mas
sivs gold ring suspended around the brd's
throat by bit of white ribbon, to which
was attached card.
All! he has been here!'' she exclaimed
bursting int joyous little twitter. as she
recognized the wiring on the card, thong
there was no name save her own.
Il knew ne would come"
Turning /, over and holding it up to the
ligh: she saw something engraved on the
inside. and bending down read plainly.
''LovK THE GIvER."
THIS time the blush went up and mes tied
under her dropping hair and down her
neck and arms to the very tips of her
plump fingers. All! You would not have
thought it was winter If you could have
seen those roses! Giving one timid look
around, as If she were afraid even to let
the silence ses what she was about to do
she pressed the ring to her lips--to hsI
bosom-snd said, loud enough to be
heard.
"Lovs the giver All No one but
God ku)ws how aoeiL
BLESS you my darling for those sweet
Words
And from behind tho heavy folds of the
curtains nearest her came Willis Clare
contumacious eavesdropper! And almost
before she knew it. somebody's arms wers
around her--somsbody drew her close t.
strong manly beart--somebody' lip.
had folded down the blessing close anc
warm upon her own.
"Love the giver'' l hold the ring tha
bears these words in my hand now
worn almost to a thread the words scarce
ly discernable. The hand that gave it was
dust. years ago; and the hand that wears
it is thin aad worn and wrinkled and cold
to the reverent kiss press upon it. Blu
spite of the wrinkles and the white hairs:
There's nothing half so sweet in life
As Levs'syou dream.'
uaxuAnr rvvNna.-