Shreveport news., 1864-05-03

ring is too large. I seldom Wear it.
for have not chosen to advertise
my engagement"
a thousand pities! A thousand
pi'ies!" sighed Marie Blake. " Ruth
cou.i have made the Colonel happy,
but Mag Percy never will. Ruth
should be his fate. for Mag is his
folly"
This fact became patent when Col
onel Dallas, aftcrmarchingand coun-
ter marching, advancing and retro
grading, fg citing and diminishing
with our army in lis; autumn campaign,
was wounded By the bursting of IL
shell. The letter beariag the intel
ii-ence stated tina. the wounds We're
in his face and arm, soaring his face
and probably rendering the amputa-
ton OF his arm Il necessity.
You will go to him, Of course"
we said, as we grooped around Mag
dalene Percy, with fearful eyes.
"What good could do ! Oh mol"
she answered. How horrible to
think oftf,e Colonel, Il scared cril-
pie !" And she gave vent TO her
emotion III sobs and tears. We did
not know how purely selfish was her
grief until we missed the diamond
ring, and leaned that she had broken
the engagement rather than link her
fate with Il scared cripple.
/ was Il needless sacrifice, for, at
ter q time. his full beard covered hia
scarrsd face. and though his arm was
pe:alyze amputat;on was not neces-
sary.
Ruth Porter knew little Of all this,
for at the bedside OF her dying moth
er, she was keeping patient vigil;
! through weary days and nights, and
only returned to us at the merry
, Christmas time, saddened, orphaned
girl.
It was Christmas morning, and I
stood will, our host and hostess, ar
ranging the last gifts on the Christ
mas tree.
- Is it forbidden fruit to me g. in
! quirea manly voice and we forgot
AL else in our joy at meeting Col
onel Dallas. When our pleasure had
! subsidized, in measure, Marie said j:
- am thinking, Colonel, which cf
ali the treasures the house affords, I
can spare you for a Christmas-gif,,
since you did not enter into our reck-
onings.'
:. Ii you would al1o~me to suggest
my gift,' said the Colonel, tax ing her
hands in his, Il would whisper
your cousin Ruth"
Tees bicn,' said our hostess, clap
ping her hands. " have ii. Only
obey orsiu.z. I am commander-ia-
,ch!-f Of dis province, AMI you are
ISrbot;iiratc. Go TO the library until
YOU are wantcd.'
Il was a merry party that, five
minutes later, Was grouped around
the Christmas tree, giving, receiving,
shouting, haliooing, singing. and dane
ing, Even Ruth forgot her sadness
in ;hat scene Of innocent mir:h.
- Your gifts are so small, Ruth
) said Marie Blake, alphabetically, at
ter the tumul: had subsidized. " Are
YOU content :"
"Quit. content" ,vas Rnth's re-
ply:
Well, am NOT said Marie,
spliitedly- / have wanted to make
you Il Christmas gift that would be
u~v!u!, elegant and welcome, and
have been studying your needs care
tally. 1t is too large and clumsy 10
hang o:l the tree. but YOU will find it
in the library. First promise 10,
: that you will accept it, and care for
it tenderIv."
Oh, yes I PROMISE" said RuN:,,
laughing. I accept, and will keep
., it wrapped in tissue paper. Is it q
sowing machine, harp. OF guinea.
: pig -
1t is'-and Marie drew her &c
the library door-your fate.
: ''Too bad" said we all, rs the
door closed. " CristmaS-g gifts should
be made an received in p;bIic."
; :" All but suppose the Colonel
should Be- listening to that M
from the lips Ola woman," said on!
host. with Il solemn face.
lie was not. With face beamiue
with happiness, he led his Christ ma:
gift into our midst, and in the lew
found happiness OF l<,utual love, Co;
p one! Dallas and Ruth Porter found
I'll" Christmas Of 1868 a merry one
! and 1851 truly happy New Year.