Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1890-05-31
THE WEDDING GIFT. /.


girl in the world, rs she ran forward and
brought me long, narrow box. Gan
other wedding gift, am sure l won
der what it is and from whom it can. be. y
Angelica clasped her hands, and
looked so unutterably happy chat my cup
of Joy was full to the brIm. Who would
be more exultant than we two? 1t was
the first week after our webbing, and we
had just returned to our coy nest at
1879 North Three Hundred and Seventy
third street, in the famous city of Cos
mopolis.
Another wedding gift. My ardent
fancy rapidly evolved its hidden
possibilities, from a dainty fruE knife to
chaste spoon, from an elaborate can
delabrum to an old-fashiolted pair of
tongs. What could it be?
1T may be parasol for me" said
Angelica, eying the package affection
ately
''or an umbrella for me- 1 reioined.
with a quizzical look.
"Or roll of silk, my dear, ''she haz-
arded.
''or bootjack, my love, ~ replied,
seizing my knife and preparing to cut
the string.
''It has taken long time tc.come, any
way" she added. IA whole week"
"You forget, sweetheart, that it came
by district messenger boy and with a
laugh I opened the package, when 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 | exclaimed, in my most
positive tones, II recognize the hand
writing. 1t is-it is Uncle Johnsl"
cob, how nice the dear, sweet old
man. So gentle, is he not, John2 ! al
ways said / would love him for your
sake And she gave me one of her
brightest glances.
'Well, my love, he is g gentle Great
ure, to be sure; but-but he is decidedly
eccentric. Any way, 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; couldn't, could l,
john"
'tNo, indeed, little minx. You couldn't,
you wouldn't and you shouldn't" | re
sponded with fervor, andthen read aloud
his letter:
DEAR OLD Boy-I sm.ovel.ioyed to hear
of your marriage, and regret that villain
Gus attack of govt prevented my attendance
at ohe ceremony. hear that your wife is
all that is gentle and good Happy fellow
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 twill guard you. Treas
ure it as your homes hottest phylactery. 1t
will be an infallible record of your affection;
dial of love, which never needs regulation;
for it runs by occult attachment and psychic
force
"In the fond hope that you viii prize it for
my sake and your own, Affectionately,
JOHN CRUMP"
"Goodness " cried, as soon as ] re-
covered breath. "This lisa pretty letter
But what does the old fellow mean by
dial and attachment and psychic force2
Is he demented?''
"Oh, dearest!" Angelica exclaimed,
edging away from the package, still on
the floor. ~ am so frightened. Shall
send for mother2"
"No," l reioined, with rather pre-
cipitate haste, "you need not send for
your mother" And then added, in my
most heroic tones: "There is no occa-
sion for alarm. The package surely is
harmless. 1t can't be a Florida alligator
or a dynamite cartridge. Come. love, we
shall open it together One heart, one
fate!H l exclaimed, melodramatically;
and soon before CUR astonished gaze was
presented the tiniest little thermometer
in the world.
IA thermometer was our first ex-
clamation. ''Thc brute" was the next.
"Does he want to insult me2" | cried
in rage.
''Let us send it back-the odious
wretch" was Angeica's observation, the
heroism Of which can be gathered from
the fact that my uncle was millionaire,
and was supposed to be his favorite and
his heir
A silence deep, profound, immeasur-
able, fell upon us-our hearts alone were
audible. A sudden inexplicable mystery
seemed to surround us both. The air be-
came oppressive. What hidden agency
was at work? 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 Ny eyes were
riveted upon some lettering, and we both
read simultaneously: Loves Thermom-
eter, patented by the Society for Psychic
Research" And straying downward our
astonished gaze caught these lines from
Browning:
20 world, as God has made it, All is beeu-
And knowing this is love, and love is
duty
What further may be sought for or de-
claredY'
"Why. Angelica, cried, dthis is
strange, might almost say, a wondrous
thermometer, eying it more respectful
ly, and with less wrath toward my phil
Osophic uncle
"Oh, John, look, look !" she exclaimed,
pointing to some words on the other side
of the plate:
Between bliss hate
Doth oscllat.
Your moral fate"