Port Royal standard and commercial. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1876-12-28

| thin ana pale, ana lOSG ner appeute.
Mr.. Grey and his mother wondered at it
and tried in vain to raise her spirits.
Her husband took her out driving
daily.
The day before Christmas came. Mary
pleaded that she was too busy when the
time for her drive came; but Henry
would not listen to it, and she put on
her wraps and went. The air was clear
and keen, and Mary. felt much refreshed
and invigorated when at last they drew
up before the door.
:" Run up stairs and take your wraps
off, Mary, and then come right down; l
want to show you something" said
Henry, as he helped her out OF the
sleigh.
When she came down stairs, he was
waiting in the hall; and, drawing her
hand through his arm, conducted her to
the parlor.
"What is it you wish me to see,
Henry" she asked, as they entered the
room.
Find out for yourself" he answered,
playfully.
She raised her eyes, and then gave a
shrill scream of delight, and, with a
bound, was across the room, standing
beside superb pianoforte.
"Oh, Henry, where did this come
from2 What perfect beauty! Is it
really for me? Oh, how can ever
thank you9"
"One question at a time, my dear;
but I will answer your last one first.
You have no right to thank me for this
Christmas present. Here is the giver, !"
replied Henry, going up to his mother,
who had stood quiet spectator OF
Mary's pleasure, and putting his arm
around her.
Mother is it possible Oh, you
darlinga how can ever thank you9"
cried Mary, throwing her arms, too,
around Mrs. Grey, and giving her q
rapturous hug. .,
'sI am we'll surrounded, see," said
she, smiling on them proudly.
"I am glad you are pleased with your
piano, Mary, and you shall repay me by
getting all the enjoyment from it that
you can."
"It is something I have wanted ever
since We were married." said Mary,
"but Henry could not quite afford it. Z
"And now you have your hearts de-
SIRE" said Henry, "but at the expense
of little SHINING, am afraid. Do you
remember one evening, about two weeks
ago, when you found the parlor door
locked3 Mother and I were holding a
consultation when you came, and sent
you after the cigar case to give her time
to run away. I came very near telling a
fib that night"
eyes," said his mother, "such plan
ming and plotting as we have had. The
other day, when the man came to make
the final arrangements about bringing
the piano, you were down town, and
was SO afraid you would return unex-
pectedly; and this afternoon they came
and put it up while you We're out driv-
ing; but 1 knew Henry would not bring
you home too soon."
Mary felt herself turning sick and
faint. This, then, was the secret which
had tormented her so; these innocent
plots and plans prompted by loving
hearts! What a monster she was to
have suspected this noble woman of any
wrong. She felt like humbling herself
in the dust before her.
"How white you are, child! The
excitement has been too much for you,"
said Mrs. Grey. ~ =,
But Mary knew better. Still, she
kept her secret locked in her own
breast; not by word would she let this
gentle woman know how she had been
tempted to doubt her.
Mary has gradually dropped Miss
Susan SINNERS acquaintance, and that
worthy spinster often complains how
dreadfuly uppish some folks have
grown" but Mary is only too glad to be
able to keep out of the reach of her
tongue; and finds her greatest comfort
and delight in the society of her mother
in-law, than whom she thinks there is no
hattar woman on earth.