The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1871-12-23
CHAPTER LII.

oAi1AA AIIs LII.
The deed was done. A handsome
deed, too yet David-like all heroes
was quite unconscious of its hadsome-
ness. For q few moments, only, he
hesitated between the overcoat and the
statutes, at seventy-five dollars, which
Edna had admired so. Then he went
straight to the art temple before whose
in simple, unasking admiration-for
it was one of her traits never to want
what they could not afford-angelic
woman and ordered them to be sent
to his house at six that evening. Which
was Christmas evening.
"What ever has come over her," he
thought, as he savagely bit the end off
his homeward cigar, "she shall know
that my love is as true and fond as
ever, and that nothing shall be lacking
on my part to make our Christmas Eve
what it always has been-a jolly ami
versary."
1t had been a long time, it occurred
to him, since he had heard the pianno;
but as he entered the little garden, the
notes of a wild, joyous waltz came out
w llItCl llllll llObtS SWilI 1lRf III,
that seemed leaping from very happy
fingers; notes that suddenly ceased
at his step in the hall, for the perform
er came rushing to ithe door, radiant
ly dressed and with a certain twinkling
merrlment shining in her eyes, like one
who had good thing and found it just
IA little difficult to behave as if the good
thin cid not exist.
Dix minutes behind time !" pointing
to the clock. Behind time on Christ
mas Eve, Miserable creature, you
have just three minutes in which to
wash off the odor of paste and Very
Latest Gleanings, and present yourself
for supper. / am terrible hungry, and
we have rice cakes"
The rooms were sumptuously decor
ated with evergreens and bright sprays
of Autumn leaves and roses and car
nations and creamy lilies and honey
sweet heliOtrope, bestowed on mantle
shells and brackets, filled the air with
perfume.
Rice cakes and rosebuds ~ ex-
claimed David shifting the atmosphere
approvingly, "what an ovation for one
miserable man! You do care for me
just a little, then 2"
= Yes, just the merest spec :" clasp
ing her hands behind her, and ewing
him saucily, with her head at one side
'The Epernay and Malagas came up,
did they!" after he had returned in
slippers and smoking jacket to the par
lor
Yes, and to-morrow's turkey and
venlson, also, sumptuous caterer
But has there no boz arrived ~
looking rather anxiously at the clock
which indicated past six
Just then came the ting -a-ling of the
door-bell. David FASTENED to answer
it in person, and brought back with
linn a large white box, which he depos-
tied with wonderful composure-men
always are self possessed the cen
ter table.
GA little Christmas offering for my
wife with the sincere love of her hus-
band, " he said sententiously, stepping
back and leaning against the mantle
shelf
What have you been doing = cried
Edna bouncing upon the box. 1t was
securely tied with Irvine. She snatch
ed the sissors from her work basket,
shipped the cord impatiently and lifted
the cover. A sweet vision, against a
background OF pink Gotten, greeted
her.
Well, it was better than t,Uenty over
coats, said David to himself, seeing
the delight that flashed into her face.
"Those lovely, lovely things! Those
perfectly beautiful creatures, that |
Dear d. H. [ haven't q word to--I
have worshipped from afar for two years.
can't say how" She smothered the
utterable sentence by burrying her face
in the breast of his jacket
''Tm so glad you can't say, dear I'd
so much rather you couldn't say Let's
set them up!"
Heavenly little gems - murmered
Edna In a ecstatic voice, after they
were enthroned on the mantle-shelf.
& What a tone they give to the room !"
Then with sudden change of manner
1.-THE rice cakes They will be
spoiled? Come to supper-at once ~
Selling his arm vehemently, and shov-
him toward the DINING room.
"Gross materialist-tur from
Art to rice cakes I'm surprised at
you - In fact he was little panied,
too, to think that she could SC soon
think of supper.
Edna did not reply, but her face wore
lofty and serene expectancy.
What-is-this2 2" asked David in the
next moment, as about to take his place
at the coy tea-table, he discovered a
bulky garment lying across his chair.
For my husband-as a slight
Christmas token of his w1fe's undying
regard" recited Edna with shining
eyes.
C. You REF"
That was as far as David got. He
held up the sumptuous overcoat---for
such it was---and stared at it.
How and he stopped again.
eyes, that is it, began Edna with
great show of severity, "Insatiate GU
riosity is the predominant trait of the
mind. Did not [ accept the
dear little statuettes and ask no ques-
tons And here you area living in
terrogation point! Sir, if you only
kept pace with the genius of the age
if you were in the slightest degree
posted concerning the Mer0ti of the
generation in which you live-you
would not need to question me! Look
there - and she thrust a certain popu-
lar literary journal within two inches
of his nose and pointed to the head of
a column which displayed these simple
words