The record-union., 1895-12-28
SACRAMENTO DAILY RfcoRDUN1oN SATURDAY DECEMBER

bring him back to you. He will come
readily enough when l give him your
| real answer
That will be best" said they both.
"And you will go on the morning
train?" said Nelly, eagerly. 1T was a
wretched, awkward mistake that /
| shall never cease to regret"
Early the next morning I took the
train for San Francisco. l believed him
to be still in that city, and lf not, l
knew parties that would be likely to
direct me where to find him, for /
knew he had many friends there. On
arriving 1 Immediately repaired to his,
as well as my old rendezvous, and had
the good fortune to find him still
there, but just on the point of going TO
the Sandwich Islands. A day later and
he would have been gone.
He was standing by the desk of the
office, and heard him say, "Tllen the
bill is settled up to the time of my
leaving tomorrow"
And l will accompany you, my boy, -
said 1, tapping him on the shoulder.
but we will go in the direction of
| home"
| why, Haine, old fellow" said he,
starting as though I had pricked him
with a pin. Where in the name Of the
seven wonders. did you drop from ?
Glad to see you, though. Come and sit
down."
Il dropped directly from your home. -
said l, determined not to waste time.
"And / have an order for your ar
rest in my pocket from Nelly her
self, which 1 don't believe you will
dare to resist
Il am unable to see what
Here is the document" said I, cut
ting him short. Read tnat first and
talk afterward''
He took the letter and broke the seal
in perfect silence with an expression
of doubt and wonder on his counten-
ance. I saw the blood rush to his fore
head and he trembled like a leaf
"Haine," said he, what do you know
of this business?"
| Il know all about it Law" said I,
''and L congratulate you heartily. She
has suffered as well as you. We can so
| home on the GAO train, and, old boy.
you will have the merriest Christmas
you ever had
"Haine," said he, Il hardly know
what to do or say
Then let me do the planning. Let us
get the Christmas presents for the
children and others and prepare for
going back
He sprang to his feet instantly.
THAT is just the thing to do" said he.
None of them shall be forgotten"
1 was quite elated over my success.
And yet somehow 1 could not quite say
1 hot ha1 I T.,
Yet when I analyzed my feelings, I
could not see where there was any real
cause for regrets; it was simply putting
me where L belonged-utter1y beyond
the pleasant dreams even which belong
| to the more fortunate of my sex.
And, yet, after all, there is one who
thinks kindly of me-frank, kind
hearted Lucy. There is real satisfac-
ton in that I thought. What shall be
her Christmas present?
We were barely in time to catch the
| train the next morning, notwithstand-
ing our hurry, though our bundles de-
layed us somewhat. Law said but little
on our way home and as he seemed
greatly absorbed in his own thoughts,
did not disturb him.
We reached home before noon. I vol
unteered to attend to our numerous
parcels, and he walked on to the house
alone. When l came in l concluded from
appearances that all past troubles and
wounds were healed.
"Haine," said Law, I'VE shall endeavor
to make this the merriest and happiest
Christmas of our lives and you must
join US in our efforts"
1 readily promised, and the next three
days there was wonderful activity with
Law and Nelly in the lead, though the
weight of all the preparations fell nat
urally upon Mrs. Grayton. 1--WE have a
surprise in store for yot," said Nelly,
"and you must not ask a solitary ques-
ton, as you are to know nothing of it.
well" said I. II shall be likely to
learn the secret now you have dared
me. I give you fair warning"
Lucy Easily was pressed into serv-
ice, quite willingly, I thought, for she
loved the excitement. had been won
dering what that surprise" consisted
Of and determined, if possible, to as
| certain. With this end in view, / said
suddenly to Lucy:
Are you in the secret?"
| "What secret?" said she.
| w ny, L thought you hIleW Illey Wei (
engaged in a conspiracy, but perhaps
you are not one of the conspirators.'
eff you know of it how can you call it
a conspiracy, especially when you seem
to be engaged in it yourself, and while
you are the only person to be conspired
against?"
Then you are engaged in it, said I,
"but you can't deceive me wholly, for
whatever is to happen I can impart a
secret to you if you promise to keep it. p"
women are always ready to hear
secrets" said she, 81 promise" Well,
Law and Nelly are TO be married on
Christmas night, but you must not let
them know l told you"
"Why they asked me not to tell you, y
said she, 80, what ninny I am for
The secret is out, anyway" said l.,
| interrupting, "and while they are pre-
! pairing a surprise for me it would not
be wrong for me to surprise them, and
if you will assist me I'll do it,"
How can l assist you. 1 am willing
to do so if it is within my power,
though
1T is within your power" said I,
land unless you assist me it. cannot be
done"
''Then I will endeavor not to disap-
point you," said Lucy.
81 hope you will not. There is to be
a wedding. 1 wish to make it a double
one
:'Why, Mr.. Haine,' said she, with a
little startled look. How in the world
do you propose to do that? And who
do you expect to sacrifice to your am
bilious ends?"
II am not only willing but anxious
to sacrifice myself" said I, ''lf l can
persuade you to be the other party"