The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1886-04-23

sariesp" ,nquifed Frank, thankful tina,
Carrie was not in hearing.
''Should think We did! Fact is, old
fellow. lifo is humdrum enough. do the
best We will to brighten It. Della'a
family always used 70 have great times
at Christmas. and every other holiday
that was ever invented-cheery kind Of
folks. you know-and I began that way
to keep her from pining for home, Gou
know took her from all her friends)
and find look forward to the good
times almost, or quite as much as she
does"
"What in the name Of sense do you
do to celebrate?" demanded Dean, with
more severity than the case seemed to
warrant.
"Well. for one thing" replied the
impcrturbable AL. Two exchange pres
ents. OH every occasion where we can
work present in"
'Gimcracks, I suppose. growlcd the
uncomfortable listener. .
"Weli. some gimcracks. /" replied AL,
placidly. "Of course, Della, being q
woman. must have spells of making
canvas slippers, and such. but they are
generally thrown in as extras. rewards
of merit. You know, but the fact is, you
would take it as great joke if told
you how We really do manage the mat.
ter of gifts"
81 should probably laugh out of the
wrong side Of my mouth" said Frank
to himself. adding audibly. "mako a
clean breast Of it. old boy"
"Well," said Al-for the first time
showing some confusion-.'we arc two
children, may be, but it makes a mighty
lot Of difference with woman's happi-
ness whether you indulge her little en-.
thusiasms, or suppress all her freshness
of feeling, and fellow likes to keep on
terms with himself, bcsides.''
"Well, WE'LL" said Frank, in goad-
ed tone, ''this moralizing will keep;
how about tho grand secret"'
"All easy enough when you know
how" said AL. who had quite recovered
his composure. "You know when we
began housekeeping we did not start out
with everything the shops would afford;
we fill in along by degrees. Now, when
we get ready to buy picture. or a fancy
chair. a cabinet, set of books. or even
some attractive piece of table furnish
ing, it is purchased in the form of a
gift, on some Of our calendar days.
How is that for generosity"
II must confess l fail to see where
the fun comes in"
'Well. it is largely in the complete
uncertainty what the gift will he. added
to the certainty of receiving one. For
example, on my own birthday. few
weeks ago, had great hunt on my
return home, for my SURPRISE and
when I fairly gave it up and took seat
at the table. found my wayfaring feet
reposing on fine, soft, fur rug-my
especial delight. Della knows my
weakness for fur. / must have been
an Esquimaux, at some stage of my ca
rcer."
"Or moth, suggested Frank, "but
when do your feet find time to extract
the virtues of the rug?'
20, l stay in evening and get the
good of things" said AL, breezily.
This is IN exception. but it will show
tomorrow OH the mantcl cabinet. Let's
walk back now to Gray & Green's, and
make sure of it,
"Well. just one thing more. Do you
do anything but furnish your house by
picccmeal, on your holi,lays?"
"Why. VIC like to do something to
break the monotony. if circumstances
admit, and they can usually be made to
bend. / believe as many women die of
monotony. as of any organized disease.
don't want to see Della's face take on
tho look that two-thirds of the faces of
women wear in reposc."
"And sop questioned Frank, in a
constrained tone, as his companion
seemed to relapse into thought.
20. yes; and 50 plan my business
now and then, to take little trips out of
town on some of our days, and take
Della along. She never knows any,
thing about time, il she can shop, visit
art galleries, and NIL that, and then
after business hours we have the even
ing at our disposal"
''Do you do that every timer" per-
sisted the inspiring listener.
'Bless you, no! She likes to 20 to
her home whenever she can, and though
it is quite trip. we take it once year,
usually on our wedding anniversary.
You see, Dean, u single bad habit would
absorb more money, twice over, than
spend in all these directions, and be the
smallest part of the cost, ut that. l
don't recognize any expense that goes
toward keeping q home what home
should be!''
"Sh' "h you SWo oaocs I;lch ~ u
fairy god-mothcr," laughed Dean, after
an uncomfortable pause. 81 feel like
the provcrbial beast in a china shop,
coming in here to choose pottery for
Utopia, but l will at least keep YOU
clear Of jarsw And with the expression
of this laudable design. he passed with
his companion into tho alluring depart
ments of Gray e. Green.
Carrie Dean, not being of the scenic
order. having had her cry out, did her
best to remove the traces thercof-a
penance which goes far toward spelling
the good" Of any woman's ..cry."
She had SO far succeeded before her
husbands return, that, had not his eyes
been opened in an unwonted way, he
would have been blissfully ignorant of
the entertainment she had enjoyed. He
noticed it. however, with pang not
rendered lcss-mark this. ye wivcs-by
the smile with which she greeted him.