The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1898-12-24
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ed him. II you had died. Rob. II would
have been easier; but to know that you
are alive, and don't eare-that'a the hard
part; Il 10 that that breaks my hearth
shouldn't like to die before Rob comes
back. His brothers might be harsh with
him. William Is very bitter. He has al.
ways been 4 dutiful boy himself. and be
caunOt understand such behavior. How
handsome he looked When he arrived to-
night, and how prosperous! He must be
making big income. l should say, by the
way they live; but he was always close,
aud he Is worse than ever since his mar
riage. Emily must have bought new
travelling CLOAK! last year she wore a
brown one trimmed with fur. II didn't
look shabby to me, but she Is so extrava-
CANT! Five servants now, and only those
two children. No wonder Win Is getting
gray; Il must be q strain on him to pro-
vide for such q household. l wonder IL
Hannah remembered to put frilled pillow
cases on her bed. I shall be annoyed IL
she has forgotten, for il Is just one Of
the things Emily would notice. She has
all her sheets hemstitched.
The children are beauties! Eric IL the
picture OF his father at the same age. and
what a spiritl Cecil takes after his moth
er's family. love them dearly, but it's
a good thing children come while one is
young-l couldn't stand the racket for
long nowadays. Ernest looks thin. He
doesn't get on. poor boy. IL would have
been wiser IL we had given him his own
way and let him go abroad. but we did il
for the best. Father says We cannot do
more than act upon the light OF the mo-
| AMI that l. VaP
what Is irretrieVable, but | can't help
grieving. Amy has had hard time! No
one would think. to look al her now. what
pretty girl she was when they were
married. She has no nurse girl for baby.
aud that Is the same dress she wore last
year, with new trimmings to freshen Il up.
We must give them 4 cheek with their
Christmas present, but not before the 9th
ers-they would not like that-iust quietly
when we are alone.
Ainette and Charlie came last, though
/ they live nearest OF all. She planned that,
| the little rogue! know her tricks She
was not going TO arrive in the character OF
bride without making sure OF her audi
ence: aud how pretty she Was-a perfect
picture in those lovely furs Father says
she Is exactly what | was as girl but
my hair was never so golden. Aud Char
lie adores her. ought TO be thankful fOI
that marriage. Her house Is prettief thas
any Of the others, but | don't know hos
| she will manage. She uses the bea
things every day. and never draws tSa
| blinds for the sun. When | say snytAlSI
she pulls my cap on one side aud ASIA =
/ | remember Aunt Christina's soft blanket.
| They all laugh at me about that. bv I
cant see the joke. IL WAS far too grand
| for our room, aud the red and srr..u
] stripes made the furniture look shabby, "
| | put II aside for Que OF the children, and
now none OF them will have II. IL cant
b. solled. for il Is wrapped up In the same
paper in which il arrived ten years ago.
and its a beautiful thins-there mus, ~.
pounds OF wool in It, not to mention the
silk.
Charlie sits next to- Emily. wonSs-
what she will wear! wonder which cap
I should put oni The one with the pearl
| drops Il the most becoming but the lace Il
not real I'll wear the new one. and l.'
her see that my Brussels l. as good o.
hers, think I'll give Amy the old il9ri
1 ton. She has brought presents for every
| one. the Kind little thing. though she IL 81
I shabby herself She showed NE Nrlr.
tonight Pink silk covers ror cushions
She Is going to sew them on In the morn
| ing. and they will be on the couch ~
| surprise Tor Nell when she is cnrri.d down
10 dinner. The pink Will make her hook
less pale. My precious lamb! A week
ago ! thought she would Dot be able 10
come down. but she his stayed In bed a al
taken every care. She knew II would
spoil our Christmas II ahc we're not among
~. Alb what was saying Last year
she walked down: this year she must b..
carried-ncGt year perhaps Ny baby,
The last Of them all. can't face Il. I
can't let her go. have nurSed her night
and day for niuetern years. I should have
nothing 10 do N Nellie were not here. And
yet TO see her grow more and more help
less. 10 suffer worse pain She would be-
well and strong. nud she has had nothing
hut suffering hcre-ncver any enjoyment
Ike other girls. There are worse troubles
than death-much worse. II could think
Of Robbie In heaven! All! my boy. where
are you tonight What are you douz7
Have you forgotten me. Robbie. alto
gethsr7 Twelve o'clock striking! Father
In heaven, Thy Sons birthday Hear o
mothers prayer. My children! Remsm
Der my childreuI