Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1879-01-02
Misrfllaneons.
The Spray Of Emeralds.

We were out hunting Christmas giits-
Harold and /. and IL was no small matter.
for we had hosts Of friends. And inasmuch
As they had all remembered US by some
pretty gilt al our marriage, which dated
only six months back, We did not feel like
sighting one Of them.
We had plenty OF money, Harold being
quite rich. and having a snug little for
tune in my own right, and We devoted the
day to our purchases. Towards nightfall.
aching to our very finger tips, We turned
our faces homeward. With my foot on the
carriage steps. remembered Kathie. She
was Harold's cousin. and gossip said she
WAS an old flame OF his. He told me all
about IL before our marriage.
Il really almost loved her at one time,
Aline." he said, ''she is SO very pretty, but
she was too bold, and 1 soon found that she
was utterly hSartless; and then met you,
dear. the one little woman 10 all the wide
world for me-"
OF course | was satisfied, but sometimes
l felt little jealous thrust as | watched
her. She was as bright as humming bird.
Two months after our marriage. she came
10 make US visit. wondered at it some
what. but received her kindly. Aud it
would never do TO slight her now.
80, Harold" cried. painting with wear
luCssp VIC uAtC tSOLICu hotuIC AovC
We got to 90 back:'
mo, no, confound Kathie-I don't care
il she has no gift! I'm out of temper with
her; she's been a kill-jOy 1t my fireside too
long; why don't she 60 homer"
''She is going soon," replied. laughing
at his vexation, land really. dear, We must
get her something. 1t will not do to give
to all our friends aud omit her."
20, well. I'll run down tomorrow and
beat up something"
mo, dear" insisted. "there'll be no
time. Let's run back to Delxnd's now; it
won't take long"
Harold growled considerably, but back
we went. The Obliging shopmAn stIewed
his counter with jewels Of every descrip-
ton.
What shall it be nowy' questioned.
90, anything; what does 1t matter ?" re-
sponded Harold.
II selected a pretty turquoise set, and
we were turning to 90, when Delsnd him
self, came in.
1--we something to show you. Mrs.
Dsvenant," he said. ..just one moment.
please. See here. . wonder fresh from
Paris. There's not another such OrnaC.ent
in America"
drew In my breath as he opened the
casket. Such miracle Of beauty and splen-
dor. as my eyes had never before beheld.
A spray OF eDerslds exQuislteiy set in taw-
ny Indisu gold, with one great diamond
solitaire in the centre, as lustrous as light
itself.
.'Now, Mr.. Davenant," be said, '.if you
want to make your wife . Christmas pres
ent. here's the article"
Harold shrugged his shoulders.
Rather expensive should say, Mr.. De-
land" he laughed
bot, o. Harold" l whispered, ''it is too
lovely! o, wouldn't it be glorious with my
wine colored velvet and point lace!'
Ny husband laughed and drew my hand
through his arm. e..yfs.I.s-e
'.Weil, well'' he said, '.we'll think about
X; you shall have something for Christ
mas. but you have thrown away . little tor.
tune already. to-day"
my own money, SIR" put in.
whats yours is mine. and what's mine
is my own-that's the way, Allie--come.
we will Co."
But Is We left the store, l saw him make
He'll getit for me-" thought, "he ouly
| wants TO surprise me-"
We drove home slowly In the winter twi-
light. out from the busy town, through the
over-arching forest, down to our ststely
old mansion, that overlooked the sea. Il
had been the home Of the Dsvenants for
centuries, and Harold was the last Of bis
race. The sus bad gone down, bnt = rud-
dy glow 1t up The picturesque windows,
and tipped The gray gables aud bsistling
chinneys VIII golden Ore. - we drove up
the dr avenue. Harold leaned out, his face
oil aglow with delight.
"There's h0me," he said. "Ah, little
Allie. how happy We srel
just then, Kathis caas dancing out upon
TIE terrace and down the stone stsps 70
mest -. her yellow casls 1yins. hsr peach