The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-05-28
THE WEDDING GIFT.
R. Z. Nunkittrick, in Youths Companion

girl IN the world, as she ran forward ana
brought me a long, narrow box. San
other wedding gift, am sure. I Won
der what it is and from whom it can be-. "
Angelica claspcd her hands, and
looked so unutterably happy that my cup
of Joy was full to the brlm. Who would
be more exultant than we twol 1t was
the first week after our wedding, and we
had just returned to our cozy nest at
1139 North Three Hundred and Seventy
third street, in the famous city of Co.'S
mopolis.
Another wedding gift! My ardent
fancy rapidly evolved its hidden
possibilities, from dainty fruit-knife to
a chaste spoon, from an elaborate can
delabrum to an old-fashioned pair of
tongs. What could it be?
''It may be parasol for me, ~ said
Angelica, eying the package affection
ately.
"Or an umbrella for me- I rejoined,
with quizzical look.
cor a roll of silk, my DEAR" she haz-
arded.
cor bootjack, my love-" replied,
seizing my knife and preparing to cut
the string.
1T has taken long time to come, any
way" she added. ga whole week."
"You forget, sweetheart, that it came
by district messenger boy and with a
laugh l opened the package, whea an
other box and letter were disclosed to
view.
We both grasped the letter, and al
lowed the package to glide to the floor.
"Angelica!" 1 exclaimed, in my most
positive tones, 81 recognize the hand
writing. 1t is-it is Uncle John's!'
"Oh, how nice! the dear, sweet old
man. So gentle, is he not, John? I al
ways said I would love him for your
sake" And she gave me one of her
brightest glances.
"Well, my love, he is a gentle Great
ure, to be sure; but-but he is decidedly
eccentric. Any way, I am glad that he
has thought of us, even at this late date.
was always led to believe that was his
favorite nephew"
'Of course he couldn't help loving
you best of all; I couldn't, could l,
John?"
'.No, indeed, little mink. You couldn't,
you wouldn't and you shouldn't" re-
sponded with fervor, and then read aloud
his letter:
DEAR OLD BoY-I am overjoyed to hear
of your marriage, and regret that villain
Gus attack of gout prevented my attendance
at the ceremony. l hear that your wife is
all that is gentle and good. Happy fellow!
l have known you so long and intimately
that heartily rejoice at your good fortune.
Do come up with her to see me when the
first glow of the honeymoon is over. Mean
while | beg Of you to accept the accompany
ing as the most fitting gift could think of
presenting to you both. 1t has virtues more
valuable than fine gold, and its powers, pre-
served and strengthened through the ages,
have an efficacy little dreamed of by mortal
man. Guard it, and it will guard you. Treas
ure it as your homes holiest phylactery. 1t
will be an infalible record of your affection;
q dial of 10 re, which never needs regulation;
for it runs by occult attachment and psychic
force.
'1r the fond hope that you will prize it for
my sake and your own, Affectiorrtely,
John CRUMP."
"Goodness!' I cried, as soon as I re-
covered breath. "This s pretty letter!
But what does the old fellow mean by
dial and attachment and psychic force?
Is he demented2"
"Oh, dearest" Angelica exclaimed,
edging away from the package, still on
the floor. II am so frightened. Shall I
send for mother.'
"No," l rejoined, with rather pre-
cipitate haste, ''you need not send for
your mother" And then I added, in my
most heroic tones: "Therc is no occa-
sion for alarm. The package surely is
harmless. 1t can't be Florida alligator
ora dynamite cartridge. Come, love, we
shall open it together. One heart one
fate,' I exclaimed, melodramatically;
and soon before our astonished gaze was
presented the tiniest little thermometer
in the world.
"a thermometer was our first ex-
clamation. "Thc brutc.' was the next.
''Docs he want to insult mc?n I cried
in rage.
Let us send it back-the odious
wretch" was Angclicas observation, the
heroism Of which can be gathered from
the fact t:lat my uncle was Il millionaire,
aud l was supposed to be his favorite and
his heir.
A silence deep, profound, immeasur-
able, fell upon us--our hearts alone were
audible. y sudden incxplicablc mystery
seemed to surround us both. The air be-
came oppressive. What hidden agency
was at workl What subtle powers were
inspiring us with apprehension? We
could not speak, We could hardly breathe,
so intense WAS our agitation. glanced
again at the thermometer. NJ; eyes were
rivcted upon some lettering, and we both
read simultaneously: Gloves Thermom-
etcr, patented by the Society for Psychic
Research" And straying downward our
astonished gaze caught these lines from
Browning:
so world, as God has made it, All is beau
And knowing this, is love, and love is
duty.
What further may he sought for or de-
cared%
"Why, Angelica, / cried, "this is a
strange, | might almost say, wondrous
thermometer" eying it more respectful