Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1873-12-25
WHOLE NO. 1912.

looking rather anxiously at the clocI
which Indicated past six.
just then came the ting a.linr o
the door.bell. David fastened (,
answer il in person, and brough
oack with him large white box
winch be deposited with wonder
ful omposure-men ALWAYS ar,
self 'possessed--on the centre table
"A little Christmas Offering 70,
my wife with the sincere love Of
her husband" he said sententious.
", stepping tack and leaning against
the mantle.shelf
NV hat hare you been doing p
erled Edna bouncing upon the box
1t was securely tied with Irvine
She snatched the scissors from her
work basket, shipped the cord i'm.
patiently and lifted the cover. A
sweet vision, against a background
OF pink Gotten, greeted her.
Wen, 1t was better than t,centv
overcoats, 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 a word
To have worshipped from afar
for two years can't say how
She smOthered the utterable sentence
by burying her face in the breast of
his Jacket.
''I'm SO glad you can't say, dear /
I'd so much rather you couldn't say /!
Let's set them up"
Heavenly little gems /" murmer-
ed Edna in an ecstatic voice, after
they were enthroned on the mantle.
shelf. "What a tone they give to
room - Then with sudden change
of manner-"The rice cakes They
will be spoiled ? Come TO supper
at once % Selling his arm vehement.
ly, and showing him toward the din.
ming room.
"Gross MISUNDERSTANDING from
Art to rice cakes Pm surprised at
you !" La fact he was little panied
too, to think that she could so soon
think of supper.
Edna did not reply, but her face
wore lofty and serene expectancy.
What-is-this2 ?" asked David in
he next moment, as about to take
his place at the cozy tea.table, he
discovered a bulky garment lying
across his chair.
"For my husband-as q slight
Christmas token of his wife's INDY.
ing regard" recited Edna with shin.
ing eyes.
"You're-?''
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" lnsatiate Gu.
riosity is the predominant trait OF
the masculine. Did not accept the
dear little statuettes aud ask no
questions ? And here you area liv>
ing interrogation point ? Sir, if you
only kept pace with the genius Of the
age--if You were IN the slightest de-
gree posted concerning the 6terdti
IF the generation in which you live
--you would not need to question
ne Look there :" and she thrust
4 certain popular literary journal
within two inches Of his nose and
pointed to the head of q column
which displayed these simple words:
HANNAH'S THANKSGIVING.'
a STORY OF NEW ENGLAND.
Dear love, am ! dreaming did
you do this p
Il can't tell lie, papa ? answered
Edna, demureIy, Il did it with my
Iittle--goIdpen ?
He turned toward her with a sera.
phic face. You're a.
Don't call me names, but try it
on | had nothing but your chest
measure. I'm awful afraid it wont
ct.
David tried it on, chuckling like a
boy with his first boots. 1t fitted
perfectly
'Ah, this is what has been coming
over you all this time 7 he exclaimed,
alasplng her SO tightly in the arms of
the new coat that she involuntarily
gasped fer breath.
Then you did notice it y? | was
afraid you would. and yet / tried
to behave as usual. | was such a
long time about it, TOO. And baby
took it into his head to cut tooth
when | was in the most romantic
passages. And had to write to one
four editor-chums to learnshow to
prepare manuscript--and | had to
study the rules of proof reading
and | had such struggle to keep
from killing my villain-and-I think
it is rery serious business-a literary
career Still, should have managed
nicely but for the insane habit YOU
got into of coming home off time.
You remember the afternoon you
caught me-in the parlor with papers
and things III my lap2 They were
the proof sheets, and-don't inter
rupt me-andswith them came q gen
teel little draft for sixty five dollars.
Sir, kiss your gifted wife 7
Angel let me kiss the hem of
your garment (kneeling at her feet,
nine.tenths in earnest
ID. H., hear Jane coming with
the cakes Get up l am ashamed
of you Wen settle this business
over the Eperna, by-and-byp
She spoke merrily, yet two great
tears FLASHED from her eyes upon his
hands-the tears through which the
deeper happiness sometime utters it,
self. David kissed them away and
rose to his feet justin time to pre-
sent decorous attitude to the in.
coming tea. tray.
Happiness has an appetite, and
the rice cakes were very enjoyable.
In the midst Of them Edna remarks
do you know, dear ID, h. that