Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1870-12-24
IHritten for the Wdshington Erenino Star
THE SPRAY OF EMERALDS.
BIT JENNIE JONES RODRIGUEZ.

BIT JENNIE JONES RoDRIGUR
ewere out hunting Christmas gifts-Haro,a
and |, and it WAS small matter for we had
hosts of friends. And inasmuch as they had all
remembered US BY some pretty gift at our mar
Tisge, which dated only six mon tbs back We did
not feel ike sighting one of them. We had
plenty Of money, Harold being quite rich. and
having n snug little fortune in NV own r;,bt
and we devoted the day to our purchases
Towards nightfall, aching to our very finger
tips with WEAKNESS, We turned our faces home
ward With nv foot on the Carriage stem. re-
memoered hsthie. She was Harold's cousin.
ana gossip ssad, she was an old fame Of his. He
told me all about IL before our marriage,
/" 1 really almost loved her at one time. Alma,
he said, ''she Is so very pretty, but she was too
bold, and found that She was utterly hea-,,ss.
and then met YOU dear, the one little woman
IN all the wide world for me-;
OF course was satisfied, but sometimes r fsIt
ahttie jealous thrust "a watched her, She was
As bright ss shumming bird. Two months after
our marriage, she came 70 make US visit
wondered at IL somewhat, but I received her
kindly And il would never do TO slight her
now, 80 Harold" cried, painting with wear
ness, I'VE have forgotten kathie, Uavs wa 90,
TO 20 back"
No, no, confound Kathie-I don. care IL sba
has no gift, I'm out of temper with her. sbe'.
been kili-joy at my fireside too long; why dout
she go homer"
'she Is going soon, - replied, laughing at his
vexation, and really, dear, We must get her
something-it will not do to give 10 AN on
friends, and omit her."
go well, III run down TO- morrow and ba.. nm
something" No, dear, insisted, therein he
no time, lets run back to Delands now. IT wont
take long Harold growled considerably. bu,
back We went The obligng shopman sire ves
his counter with jewels OF every description.
&" what shall il be now" questioned. 40
anything, what does it matter?', resnonasa
Harold.
selected pretty turquoise set, and We vera
turning to 90, when Delsnd himself came in.
I've something to show you, Mrs. DAve-
Rant, he said, lust one moment please. Sea
here, wonder fresh from Paris. There's not
another such ornament in America
drew in my breath a. he opened the casket
Such miracle OF beauty and splendor. a. NV
eyes had never before beheld. A sprav of
emerads, exquisitely set in tawny Indian gold
With one great diamond solitaire In the centre,
as lustrous as light itself.
Now, Mr.. Davenant, he said "if you wan.
10 make your wife Christmas present, here's
the article,
Harold shrugged his shoulders.
80 Rather expensive, should say, Mr. De-
iand," he laughed.
"But, Harold i whispered, cit IL to,
lovely. ., wouldn't it be glorious with nv wine
colored velvet and point lace"
My husband laughed again, and drew nv
hand through his arm.
"well. well, he said, .'we'n think about n
yOushall have something for Christmas, but 70
have thrown away little fortune already to
day"
80 Ny own money, sir, :" put in.
What's yours is mine and what's mine il nv
wn-that's the way Allie-coms, wen 90. ,,
But as We left the store, saw him make a ,ign
TO MIR. Deland-
He'll get 1t for me-" / thought, she only
wants to surprise me-"
We drove home in the winter twilight on.
rom the busy town, through the over-srchin,
forest, down 10 our own stately old mansion
hat overlooked the sea- II had been the hom,
OF the Dsyenant's for centuries and Harold ".
the last Of his race. The sun had gone down
but rudy glow Lii mp the picturesque window
and tipped the gray gables. and bristliny chin.
neys with golden FIRE, We drove up the d r
avenue. Harold leaned out his face all aglox
with delight There's home, he said, "Ab
little Allie, how happy We are"
just then, Ksthie came dancing out upon tn +.
her yellow curis dying. her peach bloom cheek,
all agiow. Harold's brow ciouded.
There she IL, my kill joy" he muttered
under his breath.
On the morning before Christmas We &c Mt on,
our gifts, and in the afternoon Harold rode over
TO town. 4 was busy In the kitchen. superin-
tending matters, but Just at dusk, was seized
With sudden Illness, and fell down in a dead
syoon. The household was soon in An uproar
but a. they told me Afterwards, Harold cana In
spportunely, aud catching me In his arms, bore
me up to my chamber. When I awoke TO life
again, the Christmas festivities were over. and
the New Year had come in. Day BY day nv
husband sat beside me- and 1 vatchad And
waited to hear something OF my CAristmas sifs.
was sure he meant to get IL. But Harold said
never a word. At last resolved upon q yeu-
ture-
Did Kriss kriDale bring me NO gin at ALP,
Aeked- Harold flushed and hesirsted, and the
he went to the dressing case, and brought me a
gold ring 81 gos this, dear" he s,amnered
yoa we're 70 al, or would have got somsthln
Prettier.o
him put it on my finger. but I was mex.
Presstiy disappointed, had 40 set INV hear, o-
that emerald spray; and Eel. hur, TO the on,cL
pee~"se naroid had failed to get il for ne-but
said nothing.
Aveek after, my husband wa .naa.n,,..u.s
TO New YORK, TO transact important hus,ne.,
matters. 81 am 80 grieyed 10 leave xon A.. }
lie said, 'for you are weak vet but tho n,.,,.,.
are urgent; however, my stay win h. sho-, :,
cheer up, dear, and have roses on youy c,ssLs
to welcome me-"
IL almost broke my heart to have him 70 ON.
strange presentiment that could not shake on