The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1875-12-24
A Costly Christmas Gift.

previous to Christmas and New Yea
gayeties.
We were dull little group, yet, if ]
mistake not, work progressed more en-.
couragingly. Fingers flew in place o.
tongues. 1t was just the girls and our.
selves. Ada Alday, from next door, the
golden-fieeced Walthams, Gertie anG
Bess, from around the corner, and Hilds
Etheredge, our DOCTORS daughter, whose
portrait, as Cleopatra, adorned the
academy wall. Ourselves consisted OF
Miss Zell-our seamstress, a maiden
lady-ma and your humble servant,
Rq6ina Rub6-Ruby, "for short"
We were all deep in the mystery OF
CHRISTMAS presents that somebody at
nome was not to see, and end in being
surprised over.
Pa and the boys being out, ma COW
cred her dainty figure with her 'qord
and masters" dressing-gown, and I
swung my "big brothers." slippers with
the recklessness of absolute freedom.
Suppose we each tell what was the
most expensive Christmas present we
ever received"
This proposition, from Ada Aldav.
suggested new interest to be derived
from topic much discussion had rem
dered somewhat "flat, stale, and un-
profitable" Gertie and Bess Waltbam
seized upon it eagerly.
ut has been moved and seconded -
announced Hilda Etheredge, "that each
member of this goodly company ac-
knowledge and confess what was the
most expensive Christmas present she
ever received. Those in favor signify il
by saying Aye"
. There was a chorus of ayes. Miss
Zell alone was silent.
Contrary" said Hilda.
Miss Zell was fashioning some every-
DAY garment; she was paler than usual,
pale as the white muslin she held, vet a
faint smile crossed her lips as she said,
with an effort:
''If not too late-aye."
AYES have it. Proceed was Hilda's
order.
We knew well her costliest gift, the
diamond that for nearly a tweIvemonth
had burned on the beautiful hand. Her
6etrothed, Clement Moir, was as good as
he was rich. Not girl of US but wished
that heaven had made her such.a a man.
yet Hilda played "fast and loosen with
him in spirit of vanity and reckless
ness before which our humber, softer
natures stood appalled,.
In her giddy way, Bessie Waltham
the Oldest should speak first.
As we looked from mother to Miss
Lell, there arose a murmur of disap-
proval. The latter checked this by say
ing, even more gently than usual:
III is my privilege, but please allow |
me to be last"
Hilda graciously consented.
Mrs. Rubb, wilt be kind enough to
begin ?"
my father gave me this house on
Christmas morning."
80 far, so good. Ada, you've the |
advantage of me by some thirty days, |
II / mistake not"
My most expensive present was a
watch and chain"
land mine" Hilda had but to lift
Ter lovely hand.
NOW, Miss Ruby Rubb.U
Mine was silk dress. Gertie's a
)earl set. Bess had some difficulty de-
'ldlng. Was even obliged TO consult
ler sister before concluding that hers
vas piano. 1t had come around to
Mss Aeli at last. Laying aside her
ewing, she went to her room, return
ng with a small glass case that held
imply collar and pin.
A lady's collar, narrow, yellow. with
spare, little, embroidered vine: an
val pin, jet, set in a brassy-Iooking
lmi the crimson Of the velvet on which
hey rested was pale with age, and
noths had picked it here and there.
81 know what you are thinking
aid Miss Zell, answering our inter
hange of glances. "You can form
cry fair estimate of the value of this
lift, even taking into consideration the ,
assage of time since its purchase.
ome among you remember having G
wen me far handsomer articles, vet :
MIS-" Miss ZelPs face was white and :
I'LL, but we thought the tiny case :
,ould drop from her trembling hold, /
Is the costliest Christmas gift ever 5
eceived."
Il think see story somewhere .
rled Bess Waltham, catching US all in :
be golden mesh of her hair as she :
rowded in to sit at the feet of the hero )
le of the hour. -
Hilda, with her mermaid hair, her ;
'rturlng diamond and tortured lover. :
ave way to plain Miss ZeII, so old. SO {
Did and quiet, we had never expected :
extract any interest from her beyond 9
he hnlshing of garment. Now, how +
yer, Toms slippers were out at the .
yes, Ada's kittens waited for their ewes. :
nd Gertrude's lilies for their golden
carts, while plain person measured 4
I'd pinned "the long, white seam,u .
reparatory to beginning her story.
6lrls, L was once eighteen, and had +
lover" she said, and stopped, not be- =
g able yet quite to control herself, .
Pm eighteen and never had one.u
ut in Bess, whom nothing could en- @
rely subdue, and implying Gertrude 2
7 significant glance. .
'Bess, hush Miss ZeIPs not pausinp :
r reply" answered that individual 3
0t trif1e vexed. y y
His father was my fathers nearest n
slghbor," continued Miss Zell, with q
1t noticing the interruption. "Their =
rms adjoined, and so little heed was !,
Ken of boundaries that father used TO .
y he never was quite certain whether Q,
was harvesting his own grain or v y
imrods. If any question arose, the
le would say to the other, Never ?;
lnd, We'll make it right when Rodger -
arrles Maria We came to look upon y
Irselves as each belonging to the y
her, or, rather, I looked on him as
Inc exclusively, my own personal =,
operty, to be taken or left, lust as il -
eased me. L suppose 1 must have ii
en- pretty, everybody told me I was. =,
d had a bright, merry, exacting 4,
~ that was law at home or abroad. a.
lere had been other children in both n,
miles, but only Rodger and as far ~
ok as we could remember. We were VI
other and sistar Lone hofo.o = - i -