Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1870-09-02

quite possible that may be unable to 60
to Ncllic's. If Bessie needs me. shall
spend the week with her."
"Rosie, dear, you are the most un.
selfish darling in the world!" exclaimed
Helen, returning her cousins good-by
kiss.
"A week later Helen, comfortably dom.
esticated ut Glenwood, was having long,
confidential talk with her fiiend rs they
sat together over their worstcds.
81 am almost crazy to sec Rosie Miller"
said Nell, ,composedy matching the shades
of brown that was to finish the dogs nose
in the slipper she was embroidcring. II
can hardly wait until Christmas. and if
anything should happen TO prevent her
coming, believe would 60 Wild
"If you seriously apprehend any such
catastrophe, | think it advisable for your
friends to procure straight-jacket in
anticipation, for Rosie told me herself that
it was quite possible she should be unable
to come" WAS IIelen's answer.
"Why. have note from her. giving
me II positive promise. II is not one bit
like her 10 be so capricious.
''Oh. it is not caprice"
"What is it, then ?"
"rll tell you" And thereupon follow
cd ar account of Rosie's sacrifice and dis
appointment, winding up with. 'lou
know, Nell, she is proud, and | don't be-
lievc she will come and wear her old
cloak"
Nonsense . she will never be so silly
as to imagine that her dress makes any
difference. I've half mind TO write and
tell her sou
IL wouldn', If I were you" was Hclen's
quiet reply, as she leaned forward to close
the register in the side of the wall.
Immediately after, the one on the OPP
posite side. which warmed the library,
was softly closed 10y Cousin Charlie" ="
who had been comfortably ensconced in
the room, not so deeply buried in his pa
per rs 10 be deaf TO the conversation in
the adjoining room.
What dear. unsclfish creature Miss
Rosie must be-" he said to himself. at
is pity she should be so disappointed;
and Nell too, for she is half crazy to SEQ
her friend. wonder il | could possibly
manage to send the young lady velvet
cloak without exciting either suspicion or
indignation. | believe l would risk it if
only knew her address. I'm sure I've
seen il some where Let me think. All !.
| have it. 1t was in Nell's autograph
book, when was looking it over ycster-
day. Now, if she has not carried it off
somewhere Blessings on the girls care
lessncss !" he said, rs he caught glimpse
of the book on the library table.
A train for the city left in thirty min
utes, and without word to any, Charlie
reached the depot just in time to catch it.
Arriving in New York, he called upon his
friend, sIrs. Mount. the wife of n college
chum aud lady OF wealth and fashion.
II came TO ask favor" he said. II
am commissioned to purchase velvet
cloak for n lady whom | never have seen.
and Of whose taste in dress | am pro-
foundly ignorant. Will it be taxing your
amiaLility too severely if ask you to
help me out of my dilemma ?"
"No, indeed; shall only be too hap
py to accompany you. and give you the
benefit of my judgment in the selection,
if that is what you wish," was the smil.
ing answer.
Precisely" he replied.
The same day, upon Rosic's return
from school, she found a box in her room
which she opened with some curiosity.
Imagine her surprise at seeing the very
thing that she so much desired. "Oh
what beauty she exclaimed, adding,
in disappointed tone, "but OF course it
must be mistake; it cannot be for me.
Anyway, I'll just try it on that cannot
do any harm. A perfect lit," smoothing
the soft folds and adjusting the lace ruille
about her throat. 81 DO wish 1t was
minc," reluctantly folding the cloak. AS
she did so, card in the inside pocket fell
upon the floor. STOPPING TO pick it up,
she read, "a Christmas gift for Rosie,
from Santa Claus" Turning to the box
with nervous haste, she saw written plain
ly, beyond the possibility of mistake,
Miss Rosie Miller. IA West -th street, j
ut must be mine, after all. Somebody
knew just what wanted But who can
it be? Thanks to you, whoever you may
be, dear Santa Claus !" and the happy
girl waited a kiss from the tips of her
rosy fingers to the unknown fairy who
had so mysteriously gratifed her most ar
dent wish.
Of course, Rosie went to Glenwood,
and enjoyed her visit hugely, but not an
inkling did she get as to who was the do
nor of her wonderful present. Nellie and
Helen both disclaimed all knowledge OF
the affair, so Rosie was lain to content
herself with wearing her new cloak. and
leaving the mystery for time to solve.
as that all? ?" asked Milly, as her uncle
paused
"All! why, yes. What more would
you have? ?"
"Oh! don't know. think she ought
Tn have fallen i'm love with Cousin Charlie