The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1896-10-31

ink you cannot any longer be angry
with our host, and having set him aside

INK you cannon any LONGER W angry
with our host, and having set him aside
YOU will not consider me-"
And consent to be a background to
your work." she asked. There was a
bright sparkle in her eye, which made
me feel justified in gently closing the
door.
When Major Pendallas returned from
the big barn, where according to his
GUS ON he had been making Christmas
presents to all his people, he found
Clara and me in the parlor He ap-
preached us in d somewhat hesita ing
way, and as / lookel around at him l
could see an expr, ssion on his cOunte"
nance which looked like fear that >,hac
had come back before l had s:,;tcn
through with the business OF ths'moln-
ing, or perhaps before l had. begun it.
But as we both rose to meet him l, sti.,'
holding Clara's ha Il, al doubt YIN
ishei from his handsome, h0nest.
weather. Drowned Ease. -.
Il know it, he cried, as he looked
from one to the other Of US, Il know it.
You needn't tell me anything" and he
stretched out hand to each of us.
This is a glorious Christmas" he said,
"a glorious Christmas. It was plain
he wanted to sly a good deal, but could
not find words. but Clara allowed no
embarrassing silence.
K have been very angry with you,
Major, she said, with tho kindest OF
sn:iles upon her still slightly flushed
fuco. He looked at her inquirlngly.
It was because you were making
all sorts OF arrangements for me with
out my knowing a word about them.
oh, that was because he didn't
understand about tho wall paper"
said III he had known about that"
About what" exclaimed Major Pen
dallas.
We two laughed, and then we took
him into the reading room. When all
was explained to him, he exclaimed:
Upon my word!" and then with his
hands thrust deep into the pockets Of
his short coat, he turned about and de-
liberatcly sazed upon tho four walls Of
the room.
Truly" he cried Il can't take it in.
10 think that the two years have been
sitting in this room, surrounded by
these warm, bright, delicate colors,
these flowers 0f spring; these soft leaves,
and these graceful spirals; this general
impression Of blossomy air; and then
to think that you did it can't compre-
bend it. Why, II! tell you, madame,
when went with my niece TO great
city store where they had thousands Of
patterns Of wall paper, I picked out this
one in ten minutes: although there were
a half-dOZcn others she flnc:cd, | would
have none but this for my rea.linS-. DOM.
1T is tho flowers and tho air Of spring,
l said. 'and want to have it always
with me- I thou ,ht liked you, mad
anne, on account Of what l had heard Of
you, and listening to you, but that
wasn't all-no, that wasn't all.
There was {. moisture in Clara's eye
rs she held out her hand to him.
1T is most marv-lous and most
charming" she said, and I can see only
one objection to the state OF affairs.-tho
picture should have been Clara's and
the background mine.
Not bit Of it, exclaimed the Ma
ior, the picture can be taken down, it
can be stOlcn--lOts OF things can happen
to it, aud it occupies only q little space
after all, but that beautiful wall is
there, and it is here, ana all around us,
and here it will stay. 1t will last out my
lifetime, and il any accident happens to
it, I've got 4 lot more OF it upstairs.
A servant now entered with a letter
which had been brought over from the
Dollivers' by the man on snow shoes. 1t
Was written to Clara, and she read it to
US. Our friends were evidently over
ioyed that we had not remained in the
city, as they had supposed, and that we
would soon be with them. They insisted
that Major Pendallas should come over
with us and spend tho night. They had
a large party OF friends AZ the house and
were having a Jolly time.
"Oh, III 60" said the Major; Il in
tended to so anyway, but, as to Jolly
times, tho times they are having there
are no more to compare with what we
are having here than an ashman' 8
donkey is tit to run {. three-milo heat
with my colt Sap,iny. But we'll help
to make them jolly. I'll take over the
big silver punch FOWL that I won four
years ago, and have not used Yet. for i
havs never had people enough here to
| make it worth while. Wen christel
the bowl on this happy day, and you,
madam, shall have the first glass out
! OF it. And now" continued the host,
looking from the one TO the other. BE
fore We Go any more or say any more,
!. or think Of anything else, WANT to tell
you this Arc you two going to accept
my proposition, and coming to live with
me? don't say anything al out winter
time, because That may b asking too
much, but in the tine Ct TIL year YOU
would want to live n the tonry ;n;-
way"
MY dear Major, said Clara, we
have been talking about your PROPOSE
ton, and I don't see how we eau he'll
it.
"Good, cried the MAJOR, good, bet
ter, best. Remarked before that this
is IL glorious Christmas, and Irepeat the
statement. Look You, The sun is beam
ing out CT doors almost US brightly as
VIC are beaminS in here. There is u
broad path out to tho stables, and I
want to show you sorrel mare with
the most beautiful tail and name you
ever saw. I an going to have her put
into training to carry u lady, and she is