The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-12-25

Mr.. SpsndIsr lad trusted the furnishing Of
The inte-scr 20 the same contractor who
had upholstered the giloed bar room %
the Eureka saloon. ana WHO had apparently
bestowed the same design and material.
.mpartsAllv. On each. There were gilissa
mirrors Ri over the house ANA chilly mar
ole-scpped tables. gilt plaster Cup.is in ,ae
corners and succeed lions in the way
everywhere The tactful hands Of Mrs.
Price had screened some % these with sea-
sonahIe iaursls fir boughs. and berries.
and had impaired a slight Christmas favor
20 the house. But the greater part Of her
tine had been employed IN trying 20 sub
due the eccsntrscfties o. Spindser's arnaz-
ing relations: in trancuiiizing Mrs Aunt"
Martha Spiniler--fhe elderly cook being al
fu6ed to--who was inclined 20 regard the
gllaed sriezdors os the house as Indicative
ct dangerous immortality. IN restraining
Cousin" Morley Hewlett from considering
the dsnsng-rconn husfe, "a a bar for in
term;tteut refreshmenr': and In keeping the
wesk-nin3ed nephew. Phsnney Spsndier.
from shooting a. bottles from the veran-
cah- wearing his ua1ie's clothes. or run
ming up an account IN his uncie's name
Tor various articles at the general stores
Yet, ne unlocked for arrival OF the two
children had been the one grsa. couapensa-
ton. and diversion Fer her. She wrote at
orce 20 her n!eees brief account % her
poor children dropped from the skies here
10 make our Christmas party possible. 10
say nothing Of the sympathy they have
created In Rough ana Ready FOR Splndler.
He Is going 70 keep them IS long as be can
and Is writing to the father. Think Of the
poor little tots travelling a thousand miles
10 'Krissmass,' as they call although
they were 80 well cared for by the msssen-
gers that their little bodies were positive
iy stuffed like ouails. So you see. dear. we
VIII be able to get along without airing
your famous idea. I'm sorry. for I know
you're just dying 10 see IL all
Whatever Hates idea" might have
been. there certainly seemed now no need
Of extraneous aid TO Mrs. Prices manage
ment- Christmas night came at last. and
the fatefui dinner party Yet In spite OF
the gloomy vestai fears OF Aunt Martha
who was now more than ever convinced
that Mrs. Prices position In the house was
mere than eQuivocal, the weak garrulity
OF Phinney Sp.nd.er the bossterous alco-
holic sentiments OF Morley Hewlett. or tho
half-frightened. half-choked silence OF the
two children. the dinner passed of without
serious disaster. But the ordeal OF the re-
ception OF Rough and Ready was st.ll 10
come. For Mrs. Price well knew. that a.
though 1.-The boys" were more subdued
and. indeed, inclined TO sympathize with
their hosts uncoush endeayor. there was
still much in the aspec. q Spsndler's re-
iations to excite their sense OF the ludi-
crous. II they overlooked kindred human
weakness In the drunkard. swaying In as
tentatious dignity beside the window. they
would be sure to resent the uncompron.s-
ing. Eelf-rlghteous and lofty dissatisfaction
Of the cook, rigid in her hostesse's silk
dress. IN gilded armchair. She had Dip
loma.!eally put the two children In front.
but even then she could not help seeing
that N their new adornments Of bows ana
ribbons they had lost the pathetic aspect
Of their chains and labels. and even looked
commonplace.
But here again fortune favored the house
OF Spinaier with a dramatic surprise, even
greater than the advent Of the children had
been. In the change that had come over
Rough and Ready. 1.-The boys" had decided
ont Of difference 10 the women and children
to omit the first part OF their programme
ard had approached and entered the house
as eoherly and quietly ordinary guests.
But before they had shaken hands with the
host and hostess, and seen the relations.
the CHATTER OF wheels was heard before the
open door, ard its lights flashed upon a
carriage and pair--an actual private car
riage-the like OF which had not been seen
since the governor OF the state had come
down TO open the new di,chl Then there
was a pause. the fash Of the carriage
lamps upon white silk. the light tread Of
a satin foot on the versndah and IN the
han. and the entrance OF a vision OF love-
liness. Middle-ageG men and old dweilers
Of cities remembered their youth: younger
men bethought themselves OF Cinderella
and the prince. There was a thrill and
hush as this last guest beautiful girl.
radiant with youth ard adornment-put a
dainty glass to her sparkling eye and adj
vanced Familiarity with outstretched hand.
10 Dick Spindle-. Mrs. Price gave a single
gasp. ard drew back speechless.
Uncle Dick" said laughing contralto
voice which indeed somewhat recalled
Mrs. Prices own In It's courageous frank
ness. II am delighted 10 come-even II a
little tate: and so sorry that Mr.. McKenna
could not come on account Of business"
Everybody listened eagerly. hu, mona
more eagerly and supposedly than The host
himself "McKennai The rich cousin who
had never answered the Invitation, And
Uncle Dick" This. then. Was his divorced
niece, Yet even In his establishment he re-
membered that Of course no one but himself
and Mrs Price knew ft-snd that lady had
glanced Giscreetlv away.
Eyes" continued m. half-niece brightly.
II came from Sacramento with some
friends 10 Shootersvtiie and from thence
7 drove here. and though must return to-
night, could not forego the pleasure OF
coming, II It was only FOR an hour or two.
10 answer the fnFft5tloE OF the uncle nave
rot seer for years" She paused, ard rails
ing her glasses turned a politely question
lag eye towards Mrs Price. lone OF our
relatsoms7" she said. smiiingly. 90 Spin
der.
NO" said sp!n5Isr. with some er1har-
rassnens. IA friend"
The hsit-niecs extended her hand. Mrs.
Price took e. A sl,ght cry OF pain. fol-
lowed. however. Nv a little laugh. escaped
the beautiful visitors lips ! grieve 20 say
rhat a lurking safety pin In Mrs. Pr.ce.
glove had caught ner hand. Mrs. Price
turned away 20 her other guests with
somewhat marked abrupsness. SptnGler
y az distressed Had she taken a. aver
sion 10 this beautiful creature On account
Of her divorce9 Or--ihe thought gave a
strange thrill 20 him--was she l'tile jsal-
cusf
put the fair ssrzrgrr-what she ala sDc
SAID were re oriy things remembered IN
gouga and Ready or that festive occs-
son: NJ one thought % the ether rsis Tors;
no ore recalled them nor their eccsntrici-
tes SpinElsr himself was forgotten Pee
MS only reelected how Spirdler's lovely
r5ee. iagished her smiles ard ccuriesies
-, sVe-xc-e ard brought % her feet par