Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-12-10

mas from Florence in the hy-leaf of
pretty edition of Called Back" des-
tined for Cousin Patty, whose favorite
novel it is and had put on it's white
paper surtout. when l remembered the
nnlucky acknowledgements which must
also be sent in that morning. Leaving
Patty's book. l found and enveloped
the other with equal care. and was
just about to write the addresses on
both when the breakfast bell rang, and
] dropped everything to obey its sum-
mons, for uncle is very particular to
have us punctual when ne is at home.
Auntie and l both had countless err
rands for the poor man to execute. and
last secret commissions TO whisper in
to his ear and confuse his dear old
head, SO when train-t time came ] had
TO hurry at the last minute as usual.
TO get my packages ready for him.
Hurry up. Florrie," he called from
the foot of the stairs as l was tying
the last ribbon and scorching the last
seal. In few seconds. well, well.
child, do hurry up" he called again.
tramping impatiently up and down the
hall, as / dashed off the address on
Patty's Christmas parcel and scratched
a disguised and awkward Mr.. Theo-
dore p. Weston on the other book.
Then l flew down the stairs with my
apron full of packages. and stuffed
them into the dear mans pockets,
arms and green lawyers bag. which
buiSed out in a most undignified way
in consequence.
We'll, that is pretty sight!
grunted uncle. looking at it ruefully
and pretending to be cross.
s,Ihey will think you have very
queer case on hand, uncle l called
after him. as he trotted down the walk.
* knotty Christmas case, with lots
of ev-i-denee!" l shouted at the top of
my lungs. for his short little legs We're
now twinkling down the road in re-
snonse to distant warning WHISTLE
We watched him out of sight. and
concluded that he must have caught
the train. for he did not return. So
with a sigh of relief to have this much
of our Christmas responsibility off our
minds auntie and l went back to the
dining-room to plan for the Christmas
dinner and to arrange. as far as We
could, the seating of our expected
guests. 1t was to be very informal
occasion, as all uncle's hospitable en-
tertainments are. for he had way OF
i the last moment, and auntie never
> quite knowsjust whom she may have
, to entertatH. or indeed how many.
j; The day passed busily. as the day be-
III fore Christmas always does. In the
5 afternoon drove auntie around to de-
s. liver her sleighful of gifts. They were
le not SO daintily done up as mine, bu,
ia they were all must larger and more
~ substantial-like aunrie herself. We
came home glowing and jolly. The
~ maid met me with huge florists box
| Game for you just now, Miss Flor
u, ence,' she said.
!" l opened the box, to be greeted with
IS the fragrance from a mass of beautiful
x crimson roses. There was no card;
1 merely slip of paper with "A Christ
& mas Greeting written in hand un-
known to me. yet puzzlingly familiar
ie l stood staring at them in bewilder-
It ment.
who can have sent them?" queried
Of auntie, who had paused to sniff and
d. admire. But l was as completely in
I the dark as she. Some one who
lie knows your fondness for flowers, evil
n IDENTIFY" she said, as she went up
I'd stairs.
y Yes, and some one who had guessed
or happened to stumble upon my fond
p est preference for red roses. 1t was a
le complete mystery to me. Few of my
l men friends knew of my present
it Observation-Disclosures who would be like
N ly to send me flowers at Christmas.
g had not received roses like these since
. Ia year ago. Theodore had always
IS chosen them.
~ With sigh of gratitude to the UNI
10 known, whoever he might be, l ac-
IL cepted the gift without further ques-
'h ton, and arranged the flowers tender
III ly in tall glass vase. / reserved one
'e big beauty, however, to wear at din
IL ner when l dressed for uncle. who al
ways liked to see me look as we'll as
~ possible.
- Uncle came home to dinner in high
,f spirits, his pockets almost as bullying
> with mysterious packages as when he
=, left us that morning. and his eyes
:, twinkling with an evident enjoyment
of Christmas secrets all his own. 1t
O. was at dessert that he remarked,
Is casually:
!. "Oh, by the way, mother, had al
most forgotten. Young Theodore Wes-
;. ton is coming out to dine with us to-
morrow"
q Marie picked up the fruit-knife
h which I dropped. ringing on the floor,
a and uncle went on
!. HE came into the office this after
v noon to call on me-haven't laid eyes
:. on him before since don't know when.
y Pleasant fellow! 1t seems that ne rs
= quite alone in the city this Christmas.
. so / asked him out; informally, you
q know, for the names sake. He seemed
very glad to come"
For the names sake! There was the
: unlucky coincidence again. Auntie ac-
n quiesced mildly-she was used to this
e sort of thing-but was filed with
. CONSERVATION. Uncle and auntie had
: never known about our tragedy Of last
year. and dared not say anything
: which might spoil the happiiaess of