The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1874-12-25

"Hattie," said Iris, 'splease pick me fe
of those geranium leaves to put with thes
violets thank you" she added, looking u
with smile. "Don't you think We had betz
go I'M" and she led the way to the house.
The lamps in the evening sky burned nc
more brightly than did those in the perlors
Mr.. Arleton's house, where many beautif'
flowers We'd with each other. filing the spa
cious rooms with their rich perfume, and th
delicate gray moss threw a softened shad
over them all.
Iris entered the sitting-room, where the
were all gathered for quiet chat before th
guests arrived, with q happy sparkle in he
eyes. and her golden curls in picturesqu
confusion about her face.
"Iris," said her mother. as she caugh
sight of the locket nesting among the sol
folds of lace around the young girls throat
81 think it would be best not to wear you
present, at least in public, until you have as
certained who is the sender"
"Oh! mama, please let me wear it to
night, pleaded Iris.
"Yes, Aunt Belief" interposed Hattie
edo let her wear it. Who knows but tina
something may occur to give US clue to tn
donor? 1t is not Improbable" she added
with mischievous glance toward Iris, " tina
one of the expected guests may prove to b
the One."
"Miss Iris" said Morton Randolph, as the.
sauntered through the well-flled. parlors
suppose we turn our steps toward the gallery;
The night was lovely; the full moon rod
high in the heavens, and every object wa
glorified by its pale, silvery beams.
They stood for moment in silence, taking
in the beauty of the night, and then, in 81
lence, descended the steps and entered thu
long avenue of oaks.
"Iris, darling" said Morton, stopping sud
denly, and taking possession of the little
white hand resting on his arm. II have moi
words to thank you!"
"Thank me For what ?" said Iris
"For wearing my locket in answer to my
request, replied he, as they emerged from the
gloom into the silvery flood of light
Your request" echoed Iris; and as he
caught sight Of the questioning look in her
eyes, sudden thought burst upon him.
"You did not suspect who sent it?" he
asked eagerly.
The lids dropped over the bright eyes.
"You did not get my note 2" he continued.
"No What note / received none," cried
Iris, breathlessly, with quick glance at her
companion.
Il sent note with the box, replied Nor
ton tenderly, "telling You that I loved you,
and asking you if you loved me to wear my
locket tonight"
"And never knew it, and have worn it, "
Iris.
"Are you sorry?" quickly cried Morton,
dropping her hand and stepping few PAGES
back.
"No! no ! thousand times no, Morton r.
Iris, raising her love-lit eyes to his
face, and placing both her hands in his
" Morton, l am glad" she added, with q
happy smile.
He drew her to him and pressed kiss
upon her lips.
present for you" said Morton, after pause,
filed up as all such pauses are
81 think I shall be rich this Christmas
time, laughed Iris; "you have already given
me two gifts.
"Two! No, dearest, only onew
"Not so, you dear old stupid" she an
swered merrily, "dont You see you are one
Of my presents.
eff that is SO, then am the richer, though
you are my only one; but, see," he added,
taking from his pocket little package, and
slipping on her finger a slender gold ring, sit
FITS perfectly, does it not?"
EYES," said she; "but," she added, as she
stopped to pick up the scrap of paper that
had futtered to the ground, "there is writing
On this, and it may be as we'll not to leave it
aere"
Morton reached out his hand to take il, but
Iris, catching sight Of her own name in the
bold handwriting, drew it back. saying:
"Never mind; will see what it is
Then, glancing her eyes quickly over the
paper, she laughed merry, musical laugh,
md, holding it up to him. said:
$50 you sent me note, running thus:
Dearest Iris"
"Whatr cried Morton he-very..note
How did that get here?"
"Absent-minded young man = laughed
.ris. II see it all You wrote the note, and
hen. in your hurry to get the box to me, for
rot to put it in. Afterwards, in hunting for a
crap Of paper to wrap the ring in, you hit
,pon the identical note; there now, do You
ccept my reading Of the riddle?'
"Oh. yes, nothing matters now that have
on, and, catching her in his arms, he kissed
Ter as only those kiss who realize for the first
ime that they are loved.
'sAnd SO, said Hattie, as they entered their
DOM after the last guest, namely, Morton,
lad departed, lyon have not the least idea in |
be world of who sent the locket?"
"Yes, / do know" laughed Iris, putting |
er hand over her cousins mouth, ''and so |
% papa and mama; and you needn't say any |
hing more about it, for mean to wear it all |
ny life; and this. too she added, holding up |
be finger with the shining circlet upon it.
Ro~aNcr or A poop YovrNc GrpY -Ror