The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1876-12-21


fec. The boy in attendance stated that
Mr.. Brown had received telegram, and
instantly gone out. Louie left the box,
with instructions that it should be given
to him as soon as he returned.
The telegram Mr. Brown had received
i was a call to the bedside of his father,
7Iwho was dangerously ill. He made i'm
mediate arrangements to leave town that
evening, and fastened to tell Cora that he
would be unable to attend the party the
next evening.
l. Cora, the servant informed him, was
not at home; so he left word with
Bridget, charging her to tell Miss Cora as
soon as she should return of his inability
to escort her to the party the following
eve. Now Bridget was laundering girl,
and no sooner had she closed the door on
Mr.. Browns receding footsteps than at
that instant smell Of burning cake
greeted her nostrils; she rushed to the
kitchen to find her jelly cake pretty we'll
scorched, and this disaster caused Mr..
Browns message to vanish from her mind
When Mr.. Brown returned to his office,
the muff. box was straightway presented
to MIN. On opening the box, and exam
lining the contents, he was somewhat puz.
zled to know what it meant; but when he
read, upon the slip of paper:
"Mr. Broom, take this, you old muf,"
he was completely non. plussed.
Who brought this boxs" he demanded
of the boy.
Louie Irving, sir; he said it was sent
by his sister,
Mr.. Brown scrutinized the box again :;
on the inside of the lid he saw written in
fine hand, "Cora Irping." I" should
| s,,1y ,knlp 1>n 10 Ii
sell, but this note is certainly addressed
take this, you old mut." Then he remem-
bered of philopena that Cora owed him;
| perhaps she had sent this for joke, but
he could not see ANYTHING remarkably fun
ny in it; or perhaps she was tired of his
attentions, and by sending him this muff
| and note, he was to understand she con-
sidered him an "old mut,' and wished
the acquaintance to cease; but it did not
seem like Cora could do anything so rude;
"but we are often deceived in people, - he
argued to himself.
He put the muff back in the box,
thrust the note into his pocket; there was
no more use to puzzle about it. Mr..
Brown was sensitive man, and rather
jealous in his disposition, consequently it
was his way to jump at conclusions with
out waiting to inquire into any matter.
When Cora came home that afternoon,
she found Maggie had already returned
from her drive.
did you dispatch everything all right,
Maggie? ~ was her first inquiry.
"They are safely at their destination, l
presume replied Maggie. Louie
promised they should he attended to at
once" Maggie, alas! had forgotten all
about the mutt.
Pm awful hungry for popcorn to-
night" calculated Louie; "s'pose we
have some"
"Very we'll, bring the corn, and We'll
have some,' replied Fred.
"Cora can pop the best-you always
burn it," said Louie.
Miss Maggie and will she'll the corn,
Cora will pop it, and you, l suppose, will
eat it" observed Fred.
Cora was soon down on her knees be.
fore the crimson Goals, vigorously shak-
ing the corn pepper in her little white
in the reflected glow of the embcrs.
Maggie and Fred were busily employed,
keeping Cora supplied with an abun-
dance Of corn, while Louie shouted and
capered about, as each brown kernel
bursted into a beautiful white SHE'LL
Mr. Brown took roundabout way to
the train that evening; and as he slowly
passed the house, he paused, and looked
in at the merry group (for the curtains
had not yet been drawn, a pretty picture
he thought as his eye rested on Cora; lie
had half mind to go in and express
his regret at being SO suddenly called
away, and not seeing Cora that afternoon,
but that muH popped into his mind, and
he thought as he looked at Cora, that she
did not seem to be at all disturbed at the
news of his absence; and with a sigh he
went on his way.
The next day Maggie and Cora were
busy at work over such little finery as
girls love to adorn themselves with. The
daylight hours fitted swiftly by, the
moon arose and cast her mellow light
over the snow, as if to beautify and light
the way to the approaching scene of fes-
tivity and pleasure. Cora was dressed in
her most becoming attire, and waited for
Mr.. Browns coming.
Maggie and Fred had already gone, and
Cora began to get impatient, aud now and
then pushed aside the curtains and looked
up and down the street, wondering at Mr..
Browns long delay. Still the evening
wore on, but Cora's escort failed to APP
pear.
Mamma" she said, Els not this very
strange? If Mr.. Brown could not come
for me he surely would have sent me
word"
"He will not come at this late hour
You may as we'll take off your dress, my
deal, }" said her mother.
Cora removed her dainty robes, and
took the clinging smilax from her hair,
lingering long before the glass, the while,
there was so much bewildering loveliness
reflected there, while tear-drops glistened
on her cheeks, and little sobs were in her
throat. Mamma tried to be as comfort
ing as possible, but twas of no use, for
Cora was bitterly disappointed at Mr..
Browns neglect.
"Where have you been all the even
ing?" exclaimed Maggie as soon as she
returned.
Right in this room," replied Cora
Mr.. Brown never came for me, and here
have been waiting the entire evening""
Maggie and Fred were both surprised
at Mr.. Browns uncourteousness. Maggie
glowing description of the party, but
Cora would not be pleased with anything
she could say, ana retired in silent and
unamiable mood.
The following evening, Maggie, Cora
and Fred went to the children's festival
and Christmasatree. Cora was very DIS
trait all the first'part Of the evening, won
dering if Mr.. Brown would be. there, and
what he would say for his non-appear-
ance the night before. At last she tried
to rouse herself and join in the merriment
around her this Christmas night, but it
was of NO use. = Young Simpkins tried to
make himself agreeable. In vain: it was
not appreciated. She looked at the hun.
dreds Of tiny, sglimmering wax candles,
At the long, looping strings of the white
pop corn, that covered the Christmas
tree, yet this did not serve to distract her,
attention from the door, where her eyes
gle, who was selling boquets, passing, all
radiant with smiles, paused an instant
to rally her on her gsolemnity. Twas
all to no purpose. Cora could not be
r Mr.. BROWN did not annear that,eveoinoy-