The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-04-02
THE WEB OF FATE

They werr no longer almiess little happenings
thu: he told. They were dramatic sketches'
full of strength and feeling.
Rose met him one afternoon as ne came
from the Office.
oh she cried: that was a beautiful
story you told Ele last night. 1t was even
better than 7 thought it was
En-, cried Ale.k. with a puzzled look
you must nave been brooding over It, what
a memory you have:"
There was Ii heightened color in rose S
cheeks. as she led the way to the table, out
Ale',k didn't notice it. lie was full! OF new
idea.
.Ruggles called to me today, as I passed
his room,'' he said; "and asked me why L
didn't go in for short story writing. MY
sketches showed I had talent that way. 1t
was a good deal for Rugges to say. told
him [ had never thought of it. Anyway,
| couldn't carry story to completion. Brain
fag and lack of industry would knock II OUT
in nc time. No, my dear, your handicapped
Aleck will continue to swing around the re
portorial orbit and leave this story Wrltln g
to the fellows with perseverance and pull
But Rose only laughed.
So the summer passed and the fall wore
along, and, 10! Christmas was close at hand
1t would be the second Christmas Day thaC
Rose and Aleck had enjoyed together. IL
was Rose who recalled the important fact.
1.-THE other one was so closely mixed up
with our honeymoon that it quite lost Its
IDENTIFY she said.
Every day was Christmas with us then, y
sang A1eck to a barbarous tune of his own
invention.
| 1t was one day before Christmas and Aleck
came home in a state Of mild excitement
1.-TWO queer things happened at the ONCE
today he said. Just 1 was leaving to-
night old Ruggles called to me as l passed.
| 'Hullo, Aleck he said 7 see that you have
found time and he winked at me in a most
singular manner. Capital, too, he shouted
after me as I hurried along. What do you
suppose he meant?"
| Rose was busy at the tea table ana only
shook her head.
and then" continued Aleck; 'as he passed
down the stairs met Nichols, our book re-
viewer, coming up, his arms overlooked with
books as usual. It's rare, indeed, that he
ever mods to me, but this time he peered over
his glasses and actually stopped It's Alex
ander Dawson, isn't it?' he cried in his shrHl
voice. Glad to know you sir. It's good, very
good, indeed. I'm going to say so. A merry
Christmas to you, Alexander Dawson, and to
Mrs. Dawson and all the little Dawsons,
and he chuckled and passed"
| "a very rude person." said Rose, with a
red face. what do you suppose he meant?'
| Haven't a blessed idea. He doesn't drink
50 he's either getting queer, or he mistook me
for somebody else. But it seemed funny, COM
ing right on top of what Ruggles said
| He paused and looked around.
| Did you, he began, when Rose in
terrupted him.
yes, yes'' she cried: "they arrived all
right. Such lovely chairs, and such a nice
center tablet just what we needed. Thank
you so much, dear" And then she thanked
him in the good old way
1t was pleasant little supper so pleasant
that Aleck forgot all about the blue pencil
grievance. When it finished he leaned
back and laughingly asked: do we enjoy
the customary authors reading tonight?"
mo-" said Rose; "our holidays commence
like the Jewish fast days at shutdown. We
will illuminate the reading-room tonight for
a change. Now wait sir, while I light up.
She hustled into the parlor and presently
called him. The new center table, thanked
right and left by the chairs, stood out
in all it's glory. Beside the lamp lay square
package. Alexis gaze fell upon it.
"Your Christmas present DEAR" murmured
Rose
He tore off the wrapper impatiently
"a book. That's fine he said, as he drew
neat volume from it's paper sheath and
held it up. ''Wh- wfla-what's tflis?'' he quick
ly stammered: