The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1877-01-11

girl, and make them ali so happy; and
oh, Jack. IL want you to be happy, too.
love you, Jack"
And by that time Jack said they had
got to the front basement door. But he
never saw such tables; they were tipping
about all over the rOOm-meats, COnfec-
tioncries and all-and the floor went up
to meet the cell ing, and the ceiling went
down to meet the floor, and his eyes were
so blurred with happy tears that he
couldn't See straight for half the night, and
later on he thought it would help him to
realize it all if he went out and told the
cold, wintry night that he had been mis-
taken when he sang that little song; and
there he found Smith leaning modify up
against the window shutter on the front
balcony.
The full, happy heart of Jack went out
to Smith. whats up, Smith. old fell
low ~ he said.
"Why, the fact is, Jack" said Smith,
''therc's blOOdshed between me and Jones,
you'll know whose fault it is. Through
some despicable chicancry of his, he's got
the better Of me with Miss May. She re.
fused Christmas present from me, lit
tie while agO-a ring, in fact-and told
me that she had decided upon an individ-
ual preference which would preclude the
posi- bility of accepting any presents this
year. Of course it's that scOundrel, Jones.
Now, l wouldn't care, Robinson, If she
had chosen an honest fellow that would
make her happy; but to pick out fellow
SO wretchedly infcrior!''
Women will do these things" said
Jack; the most perfect IF Gods crca-
lures will stoOp to the most insignificant.
But it isn't Jones-it's me!''
"Whatl" roared Smith.
Yes" pursued Jack. I'm as much
surprised as anybody. I've wOrshiped
her this many day, but never hoped
she would care for me. 1t was all brought
about by Higgins
And then Jack went on to tell of the
whole circumstance of the night before,
of his timely visit to Higgins, and Miss
Mays presence at the back room window.
Her dear little heart was melted, !"
said Jack.
"And so is NINE" said Smith. II
wish to Heaven this ring could be melted,
too. See here, Jack, take the cursed
thing and rattle it off for Higgins, will
you? You're COED fellow, Jack, and
deserve to be happy. Can't l 60 and
have dance with Miss May, and tell her
sou
Certainly" said Jack, and as he lin
gered in the corridor to see Sophy
through the quadrille, he found that Jones
was also watching her modify from un-
der the stairway.
IL suppose you KNOW" said Jones,
emerging from his lurking-place, and
furiously bearing down upon Jack
suppose you know that Miss May has de-
cided to trust her future to that villain
she is dancing with? ?"
"NO!" said Jack.
ooh, yes" said Jones; tits settled
thing. She told me SO in as many words
when offered her little Christmas
token tonight. didn't mind her refus-
ing the ring; but to tell me that it was
because of IA preference she had decided
upon that would hinder her from accept
ing any presents, it was too much, Robin
son; ii savOrcd of Smith too strongly.
He's got to answer to me for this trickery.
To think of her choosing such shallow,
vain, miserable peacock! If it hal been
an honest, straightforward fellow like
you, Robinson"
"Thank you, JONES'" said Jack,
"that's the very one she has chosen-it's
me, Jones! 1t was all brought about by
an impulse of generosity on her part"
said Jack; and then he went ON to tell
Jones all about it.
"Good heavens, Robinson!'' said Jones,
something must he settled upon for
Higgins till he gets strong"
"That's what Smith says" said Jack;
!" he's just give me ring to rattle for
him.
Hore,s another ,, said Jonos f.k;nr
out the gaudy case; take charge of it,
Jack, will your
with pleasure" said Jack.