Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1897-12-24
A CHRISTMAS | Rec.

/ gardener passed. He was Scotchrnan
and wdower-a man of much self
coincidence and Independence.
What! OFF, Mr.. Mountstephen1"
The gardener addressed his subordin-
ates with mister" L. made himself
more important; marked the distance
between them more emphatically.
yes, Mr.. MacSweeney-jus to take
up young spruce for She"
"Ta-ta" said the scotchman con-
descendingly, and passed on.
Hes been bit snufry wi me-" said
what it's all about can't tell. Per-
haps he guesses knows too much: but
Tor, I'm not one to blab."
perhaps he's q little jealous" said
! Mary silly, folks do say he has been
| thinking about Bella. But there
faint no good thinking of going
against you, Tom"
81 don't give no heed to them tales.
! People will talk. Besides, IL he were
I looking out for n Missus MacSweeny.
! reckon he'd go after widders. Amt
/ he II widdercr hisself?'
THAT don't follow. said Mary.
Don't 1t? Then 1t ort," retorted
| Tom.
"There-don't be snufry wi mel" said
Mary.
The getting UP of q suitable tree
and its transport to the cottage of the
Mauduits was not a matter of two min
utes. nor of half an hour.
Tom was aware that Isabella would
have been kept waiting, but he relieved
his mind with the consideration that she
would take II for granted that he was
detained by some business, and would
walk on alone to the hall: the distance
was trifling. He could explain mat
ters when he arrived, and she would at
once understand the circumstances.
II don't see how your going to stick
them candle ends on to the branches"
said Tom.
81 shall heat hair pins and run them
through"
That's fne!" exclaimed Mount
stephen derisively; land when the can
dies be burnin', the famell heat the
hair-pins red-hot, and they'll melt the
mese and the candle ends falling about
on all sides and firing everythtngl l
hope you're insured!"
II can manage it,
mo, you can't, excuse me, Polly.
reckon mother at home has got some
bits of tapers from the Parsonage tree
last year. Her was up there helping.
and they throwed the tree away when
done with; and hers a saving woman
and can't abide no waste, and know
her pulled Off and kept the remains of
candies. They have wires for fastening
leaving the collar here--you won't let
nothing damage it, nor let the cat get
at IL, will you, Polly?-Ill run home
and see what mother have cot.
couldn't run in that collar; 'twould be
sheer impossible!"
So, instead of going to the Hall, here
was another detention. But Tom was
IL good-natured lad; he was not needed
at the Hall, and here at the cottage
he was of real assistance.
After the young man had been away
nearly a quarter of an hour he returned
with q small box full Of portions of
tapers, and some entire, and sundry lit
tie sparkling ornaments that had furn-
shed the tree the preceding Christmas,
and had been cast aside, but saved by
the prudent and frugal Mrs. Mount
stephen. Vs
spotted dog in china, as stood on my
mantelsheaf, that little Bessie be well
come to. You can set 1t under the
tree. Now I'll clap the tree mores into
tub, and then I'm off to the Hall"
When Tom, reinvested in collar and
coat, arrived at the Lodge and inquired
for Isabella he learnt what did not
much surprise him, that she had gone
forward. So he went to the Hall by
himself, not greatly concerned at being
late. He knew that all who were in
vited would not be able to arrive pune
tually. There would be two sitting
downs" to supper, and he would be In
time for the second.
When he arrived he looked about him
for Iasbella, and saw her seated be-
side the Scotch gardener, who was help
ing her to trifle.
With little difficulty he made his
way behind the chairs, in and out
among the servants who were waiting
on the guests. to where Isabella was
DINING into the trifle,
80 sorry, Bella; / couldn't help It,"
said he.
"De-li-ci-ous!" said Bella.
81 beg your pardon?"
81 was speaking to Mr.. MacSweeny."
~ only want to say that / was I'M
avoidably detained"
1.-The jam is strawberry" said Bella
whole strawberries from our own
garden" said MacSweeny.
I'm very fond of Strawberries" OBJ
served Bella
$50 am T." said the Scotch gardener.
Have some more. I'll remember you
In the strawberry time and sent you up
the first dish / ripen. OF course
ripen 'em early-in the greenhouse
You shall have some as soon as they
are fit to be picked"
"How good of you, Mr. MacSweeny,"
mot at all; live but to oblige; and
you"-he looked around at her-"for
you would do anything"
BELLA" said Tom over her chair, II
really could not do otherwise"
"Will you please to remove, Mr..
Mountstephen, you are jogging my
chair"
"Do you like grapes7" asked Mac
Sweeny. II rather flatter myself on my
grapes am able to keep them, too, so
we'll My large white Muscats-but
there, you shall have some. I'll send
you up really choice bunch. i think
the second sitters down are coming In
now Miss Isabella, II you have done,
we will rise and let the others take our
places. Here, you, Mcuntstephen,
can have my seat. If You have brought
Mary Mauduit have no doubt she can
have Miss Frowd's chair"
Poor Tom did not enjoy his supper,
and that over when he sought Isabella
to tender his excuses she deliberately
turned her back on him. 1t was clear
MacSweeny had made mischief. He
had told her that for the sake Of that
pale Polly Mauduit he had neglected to
fulfil his engagement and keep his ap-
pointment.
Dancing began, and Bella sat out
with the Scotch gardener, who was too
fantastic toe; as he explained to Bella.
it was against his pIfnciples-but don't
let that Interfere with her enjoyment.
II she wished to go to Mr.. Mount
stephen.
"ohl not at ALL" said Miss Frowd.
sHuffed, hurt. poor Tom withdrew.
He slank away from the hail. Among
so many, he would not be missed. and
- -. Ii.