The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-12-20

nothing about il if Josephine chose to pay the
diherence-she would say one hundred dollars.
Ana josephine had no one hundred dollars; they
mad not yet saved all of fifty dollars toward the
| operation on their mothers eyes. And then the
truth slowly dawned on Mrs Treneh's timid
comprehension; it was Mrs. Trench who had lost
Mrs Courcy de Sponsors earrings
/ Il don't believe she ever had any diamondsn
cried Mrs. Trench. II believe hers were just
Ike yours, cut glass or crystal She's the thief!
But that makes no odds. She's got to have her
one hundred dollars. And-don't you cry,
Josephine, dear-she shall have it somehow
can't think how, unless l sell the spoons.
too-and they're not mine. Or. / might
| rattle this crazy quilt. and say its for
charity; and so it is! Or, could sell my seal
skin, or-or ask Mr.. Trench if I can't get it any
| other way. But shall have it for you, Joseph
inc, don't fear, some way Only just keep her
along; keep her off awhile; wait till get this
Christmas off our hands. 1t may bring some
tning In we can use. any way; and Mr.. Trench
Will nave TO hand me some money some time or
| other and perhaps / can get my courage up to
tell him all about it. / don't know why / can't
but don't dare-Pm so afraid"-and then
Mrs. Trench broke down and cried, and Joseph
me- VINO had become in this stress something
ike an Intimate friend, cried, too, and it was all
very damp and unpleasant. After this the days
only dragged on heavily, and she expected some
thing more than had yet happened on every
ceedlng one; she grew thin and pale, and started
at every sound, was ready to cry at word, and
lived in the atmosphere of perpetual dread of
she knew not what.
II don't know what's the matter with you,
Mabel" said Mr.. Trench, with irritation. I'm
sure shall be glad when Christmas Is over"
"Pm sure [ SHALL"
1.-THE idea of turning what ought to be a happy
time into season of such work and worry"
"You haven't helped make the season so light
to mo that you need to talk in that way" cried
Mrs. Trench quite beside herself, her feelings
rushing for the first outlet.
Il don't know what you want me to do. I've
explained my circumstances fully" exclaimed
Der husband, land if you haven't sense
enough"
you mustn't tell me haven't sense enough!
You mustn't" she cried. And in another instant
she had thrown herself his breast, clasping
him convulsively. and had run from the room
crying like child.
I'm sure I don't know what to make of her."
said Mr. Trench. rue fully. Though she's more
like herself in this explosion than she's been for
fortnight. | don't even know if she'll be
pleased over Christmas morning; perhaps | was
foolish not to end that matter up at once and
give it all to her then l don't know what to
make of her or any other woman Sometimes"
murmured he In his evaporation, sometimes |
wish thered never been a woman born"
1t was curious coincidence that in the fast
ness OF her own room his wife was at the same
moment excaimng "Oh, | don't see what
was made for! | wish l never had been born!
l wish there had never been any woman born!'
But In the last wish she was thinking of Mrs.
Courcey de Spenser
But all things come to an end and at length it
was Christmas morning-such blue and white
sparkling morning, sky like the tent of the
tabernacle, an earth snow-clad with purity,
every tree and shrub wearing an angels plu-
mage, and bright wind blowing that seemed to
shake the sunshine out of heaven. Such happy
sounds there were in the early Christmas BELLS
such happy faces i'll the street. too, and, inside
the house was all spicy with hemlock boughs
and holly of Josephine's handwork
Its as sweet as forest" said
Mrs. Trench to herself But
declare those presents are the shabbiest Christ
masng ever didl I wish I had made some
thing for Harry after all. I guess III give him
one of Johns neckties Well they'll all come
over to breakfast, and I'll have breakfast that
would make Delmonico's mouth water" And
she was as good as her word, her table glittering
with red oranges and black grapes and russell
pears. and marmalade lucent as Jewels while
the kitchen of the King of France could have
been no more savory with good odors than hers
was that morning, from chicken pot-pe. steaks
done to turn, slices of cold duck. broiled oys-
tiers quivering on their way from the grdron to
the toast, omelerte slipping from the pan like
slice of gold. biscuit like snowballs turnovers
for the children, and coffee that might have
made one doubt if really that were not the nee
tar of the gods.
Mrs. Trench surveyed everything, and then
hearing the arriving family announced bv the
voices of Will and Lolly and little Janet, and the
gay greetings between the elder Janet and Law
renee and Margie, and Sally and Harry and the
rest she ran up to put on her pretty brown silk
she had not had it on since she went to the
opera-and she put geranium in her hair, and
tried to greet them all with a smiling face; and
she felt that the house was full of sunshine, and
music. and Christmas cheer. and none of it in
her heart, while Josephines pale face and swollen
ewes smote her with a sort of terror every time
she looked that way
And what an uproar the house was in, and
and how little Janet Rugged her rag baby with
it's pretty painted face. and how pleased the older
Janet was with her crazy-quilt, and Lawrence
with his silk stockings one and all excaiming
and thanking and kissing and laying her own
gifts in yet UNEMPLOYED heap and hoard beside
her chair. And she was having hard work not to
cry, and Josephine was bringing in the dishes,
and Mr.. Trench was sharpening the carving
knife, and all We're taking their seats In the
midst of the jollity and camor And then Mrs.
Trench was mechanically turning over her plate
that had been reversed upon some trife and
Mr.. Trench's knife was murderously suspended
in the air as he watched her.
For suddenly Mrs. Trenchs eyes had grown
large and shining, color like wild roses began
to spread over her wan face. she half rose from
her chair, bending over what she saw there
before her-two sparkling, shining, quivering
drops of luster, her ear rings her old earrings
that her father gave her! And beside them
what elsea little, slippery, tortolse-shell
portemOnnaie. her own pocket book. and AS she
seized 1T and opened it, her own $l00-bill in it!
Auu al III d HASH VI luSCiHcI-tOr u0r poor little
mind could never have compassed it-she saw
that her husband. meeting her on Sparklers
steps, had gone to inquire of Mr.. Sparkler what
she had been about there, and had bought the
gems back out of hand; and it was he who had
in mere mischief snatched the pocket-boo from
her hand in the crowd and had kept it for this
moment Joy and anger swept across her
in force at one breath; Joy at the recovery
anger at the delay.
ooh. how could you, how could you2" she cried,
flashing her eyes at her husband. and "Oh, why
did you why did you'll" she cried again as the
tears began to come and she ran round the table
to throw her arms about him and whisper the
rest in his ear. AS she did so something that
glittered in her dress caught his eye.
What is this4" lie said, as he stopped to diser-
gage it,
''Oh!" she exclaimed "Let me see! It must
be"-and she nearly tore the dress ia her feversh
baS tn he into lioht-'sD0 an