Middletown transcript., 1876-12-23
Select Storp.
A CHRISTMAS TREE.

Reinette sat on the lowest step Of th
balcony, leading into the garden-sa
and cried softly to herself. She looked
very pretty, to be sure, with the tear
on her lashes and her great brown eye.
swimming in them. and the color red
dening on her oval cheek 90 it did no
SO much matter that young Mr.. Theo.
dore should come upon her unawares-
or perhaps it did matter very much
"Tears, Miss Reinette! What arc
you crying about. may l ask ?" said the
young man.
"Oh yes, you may ask, but can not
tell; it wouldn't be honorable to tell. I"
"Indeedv" CALCULATED Mr.. Theodore
"Ne-at least I would rather you
didn't ask me but l won't shed another
tear-no, not one. Do you wish to see
step-mother ?"
II don't know that it is necessary,
since | see you." doub,fully.
But she says it is indiscreet for me
to talk with young men alone"
Even with rose hedge between
US? Where is she? I do not wish to
lead you into temptation" Laughing .
little.
''She is in the music room"
And Mr.. Theodore went slowly up
the steps and disappeared behind the
glass door; and Reinette watched him
60. and hummed the "Blue Danube"
and tore her hands with thorn, and
peltsd the children in the neighboring
close with roses till they fed screaming
with laughter Half an hour later.
when Mr. Theodore came down the
balcony steps, be paused beside Rein
ette, and said, softly, Il am exceed
iogly sorry. Miss Reinetts, that you
have been so annoyed"
"Oh. she has told you!" Struggling
her shoulders-for, after all. perhaps It
was not SO bad thing for Mr.. Thso-
dore to know that somebody had sought
her. though it was only the gray-haired
rector.
"Yes, she has told me"-slowly-
"aud it appears that your refusal was
so vehement that nothing I could say"
mo. nothing. Mr.. Theodore" inter-
rupted Reinette, the vexed tears stand
ing in her eyes again. Was it possible
that even Mr.. Theodore would have her
marry the gray visaged rector :?
"Good morning. Miss Reinette, said
parting. MAY you live to change
your mind ]" If be really wished her
10 marry the rector. Why bad be kissed
her hand and look SO oddly? Surely
men we're hard to understand
.'Rsinette! Reinette !" called q me-
allie voice from the house, "where |
have you been. and with whom were
you chatting? Don't you know that
you are due at the almshouse to sing at
I'D Nancy's funeral, child p
II was only in the garden. passing 4
word with Mr.. Theodore" said Rein.
,tte.
with Mr. Theodore cried Rein
'tte's step-mother. as if she had receiv-
ID blow. Indeed! and what had
'e to say to your"
"What did be say to me? He had
90 much to say-fsr too much. He is
ike you others-he wishes me to marry
he rector too" Madame Emlyu bad
be air Of checking herself midway iu an
xpression Of surprise, before saying
"You see how it is; all your friends
gree with me It is better to look at
uch things through old spectacles.
But old spectacles don't ft young
yes" sighed Reinette II tried look
,g through grandmamma's glasses
nee. and everything was misty and
ncertain."
"You have been shedding tears be-
IRE Mr. Theodore. Were they effect
al? Did be take pity on you and pro- ,
ose to marry you himself in place Of
le rector 2"
"Mr- Theodore marry mes What i
. you thinking Of. step-mother His ,
ords didn't sound mush like love-
aking; and besides" tossing her head, q
It takes two to make bargain Of that
nd" Then she tied on her bat and
I off for the almshouse. I
Mrs. Emlyn had married Reinette's I