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

| tBy s. Baring-Gould,]
Tom Mountstepheu was dressed IL
| his very best--a black suit, tie o
blue satln studded with verltable plan
cts, and In 1t new zodiacal sign-t
fox in fun career. that formed the heat
Of pin. Toms collar was so stiflly
! starched and so high that to turn his
heod and look over the top of that wal
OF China was impossible. II he desired
to see that which lay to his right oil
left, he was compelled to turn his en-
tire body, as on a pivot.
Tom was unaccustomed to such q
"rlg out" and therefore did not look
happy in 1t. Tom in his workaday suit
of the color of the earth, with q string
tied under his knees, gathering the
trouser together, and with a dusty
slouched wldeawake stuck at the back
Of his head. but on one eide Of that
and with his great, honest, CHEEKY
face, ever with smile on his lips and
dancing light in his eyes-thus Tom
was picturesque, delightful. But Tom
In his Sunday-go- best did not look at
his best.
The day was Christmas Eve, and
there was to be supper with dance
at the hall, given by the Squire to his
workrnen and their families. Tom was
on his way to this, with y face that
shone with yellow soap and the fric-
ton OF rough towel; and not only so,
but he was to attend thither Isabella
Frowd, the belle of the village, and one
with whom, as everyone said, he had
made II up, and handsome couple
they would be. "Bless "" said Tom,
when folks asked him when IL would
be, "lor bless y. you know more about
II than me! Go and AK Bella. She,
maybe, can fix II. 'Tain't my place,
you know" And then he laughed, and
thought he had said good thing.
Tom Mountstephen was an active,
intelligent young fellow, serving as
under-gardener. getting a respectable
wage. and there was positively no
reason why he should not marry; but
he was inert in just this one particular,
or unable to makeup his mind
Isabella was three years his Junior,
with very delicate skin and a lovely
rosy complexion, fair hair and forget
me-not blue eyes: somewhat doll Like
save in this, that a doll is never self
conscious, and self consciousness spoke
out of every look of Bella's eyes, every
body. But was she to be blamed?
think not. The Squire always had a
pleasant word to give her; the young
ladies at the Hall had much of her;
everyone with one voice declared that
she was beauty and the pride of the
village. Under such circumstances she
must have been endowed with unusual
common sense and strength of charac-
ter not to have become vain and self
satisfied.
Bella lived at, the Lodge, and It was
her practice TO open the gates when
carriages drove up; and upon such &C.
casions she was quite aware that the
ladies, and above all the gentlemen,
UP isabella, and go on with her.
ter passing, she saw them turn to each
other and say something, then she was
confident that they said: what a
pretty girl!' And being obliged to
keep herself neat and nicely dressed
tive.
1t was understood, or half-under
stood. that Tom would call at the
Lodge on his way to the Hall and pick
up Isabella, and go on with her.
1t was In this way. The day before
Tom had said to her: More won'erfuI
things may hap. Bell. than that I
should come and fetch you away to the
Hall tomorrow, and then you'll give
4.
WELL I'm sure don't mind" she
had replied; and SO 1t was understood
that he should go for her, and that she
should expect him.,
why. whatever be you about, Pol
ly?" exclaimed Tom Mountstephen, as
he came upon tall, pale girl with pick
and spade over her shoulder.
That girl was Mary Mauduit, who
lived with frail, suffering little sister
in cottage, and supported herself by
needlework and starching and washing.
She had been teacher In the school,
but had been compelled to resign. owing
to her sisters health. These two were
together, and they were orphans. The
child could not be left.
We'll, Tom, how fine you be! Where
be you a-going tor"
That Is the way in the country; a
question begets another before it is
answered.
II be going to the Hall. there's grand
goings on there tonight"
$50 Two heerd, but didn't mind It,
And l reckon that Bella will be there
too?"
For certain. But what are you after
with pick and shovel. I'd like to know"
IF you must know everything, Tom.
it's for little Bess."
mot going to dig her grave?"
Tom could have bitten his tongue
out-he was mad with himself for ut
tering such n question. 1t had bounced
out of his mouth, without thought.
and now he saw the color rush Into
Mary's face, her eyes I'll, and her lips
tremble.
Hang me for an idiot,"said Tom;
II didn't mean it; Its just like my ways.
Poll. l want to say summit smart, and
just say the wrong thing always. But
what be you about WI them tools?"
TITS this, Tom, l thought I'd give
little Bess a Christmas tree. I've got
a few trifles to hang on lt-some
oranges and nuts and needle-case
and so; and I got Mrs Wonnacott to
come in for an hour and sit WI her
tree; the Squire gave me leave" she
added in explanation and self exculpa-
ton.
But dear heart alive! You don't
want pick and spade for getting up
young spruce! You want the chopper
or a handsaw."
II don't wish to kill the tree I
thought II l get her UP by the roots
could plant her again in the garden.
and she'd grow up to big tree, and
1t 'ud be something to look at-every
year growing bigger"
what size tree do you require1"
mot such q terrible big one. Just
middlin' like. can't have her too
small, as l amt rot no tapers like the
tiny red and yaller and green 'uns
they had up to the Parsonage last
Christmas. I've only got bits o. COM
mon candle ends. and they'd be too
heavy for mite of a tree
And how will YOU bring back your
tree and the mores troots). Mary, wi
cot nd taffslr ND nj Zoo