The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1884-12-12

IhOHoy HlgHt-lor tnlnK spencer USED
to like me a little in those days.
"But how perfectly lovely of him to
send me this though no doubt he's sent
it as much for mammals sake as mine, re-
membering what she said to him that
night about her love for artistic things.
Miss Ella Melis. How much he
writes like Miss Slnglander, and how
simple and pretty this Christmas card is,
with its wealth of flowers surrounding
the words, From Spencer Royall.' But
those words are not in the same hand
writing. All | sec, some one else has
written the address.
You dear, darling little peasant girl
l wonder what you are carrying in your
basket. Good graciousl the cover flies
up when the handle is pulled and there's
something inside. A tiny velvet box, in
it the lovcliest of rings and-a note, yes,
a note to me-
MY DEAR ELLA-By this rural maiden
send you an offer of my heart and hand.
1t may seem strange to you that Ihave never
spoken to you of my wish that you should be-
come my wife, but the fact is, have been
waiting until my financial affairs somewhat
disordered by my fathers sudden DEATH
should be brought into proper shape again.
Now all seems clear ahead, and if you will
consent to give me yourself for Christmas
gift shall be most happy.
'Anxiously awaiting your reply, lam
sPEScEk RoYALL'
ellis wife-his wife Mamma, mamma,
come here instantly. 1t is the merriest
Christmas that ever was and | am the
happiest girl in the whole wide world !"
Spencer Royal stood before the CRATE
fire in his smoking room on Christmas
afternoon with wide opened eyes, half
burned cigar in his mouth and dainty
notelet in his hand. "By Jovel here's a
go" said he in forcible if not elegant
phraseology; 81 send an offer of mar
rage to Miss Eleanor Slinglander and
receive note of acceptance from Miss
Ella Mellis. Pretty little thing. I've always
been more or less spooney on her, but it
seemed as though Fate insisted upon
my marrying the other one. Perhaps
Fate he's changed its mind at the last
moment. Pom my word it's the strangest
thing that ever happened to me. must
see if can't find out something about
it" And ringing his bell he asked the
small boy who answered his summons:
did you take the box l gave you this
morning to Miss Slinglander"
i" Yes SIR
"By Jovc! the riddle of the sphinx
was nothing to this. You may GOV
g Yes, sir--but, sir
"WelI, go on-go on'
&C. stopped minute in the kitchen to
give the cook message from my mother
the cooks my cousin Sarah Jane-and
Miss Slinglander's maid came down with
the box and says she, Miss Slinglandcr
wants this box took to Miss Ella Mellis.
She told me to git messenger boy says
she, but you'll do just as well and earn
a quarter. What ain to say3' says l.
With Miss Slnglander's compliments
and says She, and | forgot to say with
Miss Sling lander's compliments and said
Merry Christmas instead, cause I'd
been saying that ever since | got up and
it come handiest. But that couldn't
have made no difference of no conse-
quence, could it, sir!"
g." Oh. no., with mild sarcasm, " not
the slightest"
"And Miss Slinglander's maid said,
sir that Miss Slingander was in orful
temper at first cause you hadn't set her
more valuable, but she'd got
over it and was a-making fun of you
with Mr.. Raynor. And"
"There-there-that will do-clear
out. The riddle is read. | see it all
plainly now. Eleanor never thought,
being in tearing rage on account of the
smailness Of my gift of lifting
the cover Of the basket, but dispatched
n hrpn nt 70, har g.
getting in her Indignation to dctach my
card. Tom forgets to deliver the COM
pliments which she sends with it, and as
a matter of course, Ella Mcllis thinks
the figure came straight from me.
She does not look upon it
with contempt, and uncovcring her
peasant girls basket finds there a pro-
posal of marriage seemingly addressed to
herself, her name being the same as Flea
nor's diminutiyc. She replies to it in
the sweetest and most artless little note
| ever received. BY Joye! I'll accept
the situation. | begin to find myself
very much in love with her, and Miss
may continue to laugh with
Jack Raynor."
Christmas evening at the home OF
Mrs. Mellis:
Ella-"IIow happy I am! l never
dreamed you loved me. 1 thought that
you had entirely forgotten that we had
ever been friends. Imagine my surprise
when found your letter in the peasant
girls basket. What cunning way to
send it,"
Spencer-"Yes; I fatter myself it was
rather cunning. But. darling, don't
breathe word about it to a soul. To
tell of it would break the charm"
Ella-"Not for the world if you don't
wish it, dear, not even to Miss Slinglan-
der. "-DetroH Free Press.