The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-12-20

should have been Clara's and the back
ground mine"
Not a bit of it." exclaimed the Major.
"the picture can be taken down. It can be
stolen-lots of things can happen to IT. and
that beautiful wall is there. and il is here.
and all around us, and here IL will stay. 1t
will last out my lifetime. and if any acct
dent happens to it I've got lot more of il
upstairs"
A servant now entered with a letter
which had been brought over from the
Delivers by the man on snow-shoes. 1t
was written to Clara, and she read il TO rs.
Our friends were evidently overjoyed that
we had not remained in the city, as they
had supposed. and that we would soon be
with them. They insisted that Major Pen
dallas should come over with US and spend
the night. They had q large party of
friends at the house, and were having q
Jolly time.
.'Ob, Phi goD said the Major. 81 intended
to go anyway, but as to jolly times the
times they are having there are no more to
compare with what we are having here
than an ashman's donkey is tit to run .
We'll help to make them Jolly. I'll take
over the big silver punch bowl that won
four years ago and have not used yet for
have never had people enough here to
the bowl on this happy day, ard you.
out of 1t. Aud now" continued the host,
looking from the one to the other, before
We do any more or say any more. or think
of anything else. want you to tell me this:
Are you two going to accept my PROPOSE
tion, and coming to live with met / don't
say anything about winter time. because
that may be asking too much. but In the
time of the year you would want to live In
MY dear Major" said Clara. I'VE have
been talking about your proposition, and
don't see how we can help accepting it,"
Good" cried the Major. good, better.
glorious Christmas, and repeat the state
ment. Look you, the sun is beaming ont of
doors almost as brightly as We are beaming
in here. There Is q broad path out to the
stables. and want to show you Q sorrel
mare with the most beautiful tail and
name you ever saw. am going to have
her put into training to carry q lady, and
she is to be at your service. madam, when
ever you want her. and as foryou. slr. there
are my stables. And if beautiful country
and fine horses help to make people happy,
think you will have no fault to find"
Early In the afternoon the Major drove
us over to the Delivers, behind o pair OF
magnificent Cleveland bays. The grand
action and spirit of tho powerful animals,
fired by the delight OF being out of doors on
this sparkling winter day. would have made
Clara tremble, she said. under ordinary
circumstances: but. with the Major holding
the relns, sne Ielt as SAFE - IL sue Wero
dashing through the white caps with an
old Cape Cod skipper ct the tiller.
There was o grand old Christmas time at
the Dolliver house. Our hostess, who was
soon informed of what had happened in the
morning. urged thatour engagement should
be made known, and when the punch bowl
was christened, and the first cup full of the
Majors wonderful brew was presented by
him to Clara, there was an outburst of con-
CALCULATIONS, whioh deeply stirred the
hearts of three of us.
And now said Major Pendallas, "let Us
drink the health of the blessed storm Of
Christmas eve, eighteen hundred and
eighty"
And wedrank it.
1.-THE END.
| Copyright 1891, by the Authors' Alliance; all
rights reserred.l