The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-06-18
HIS CHRISTMAS PRESENT.
tsY RoBERrsoN HOWARD gR.,


1t was the most beautiful Christmas morning that
ever dawned 1t natures Christmas gift to man
kind And as she came down the brown stone steps
to meet the postman she casped her hands and said:
what a lovely dayg'
She opened her letters one by one and read them
carefully. Her dark hair and close fitting black dress
set her off against the field Of snow and the sun
tried to find CLINT of gold in her hair but failed
sadly and satisfied himself with kissing the color in
her cheeks into more charming glow
Young Charlie Wright and his friend Puryianc.
with Miss Van Reed between them saw her standing
there as they up the avenue.
Did you ever see a lovelier girl?" asked Miss Van
Reed.
"Of course not" said Wright reddening little
Miss Van Reed smiled sweetly and contentedIy az
the color in his cheeks because she knew why it came
there.
"Now wouldn't 1t be fine" said Puryiance. eff she
her up in a public place permanent thing?"
'She wouldn't be half pretty then" returned
Miss Van Reed. with disdain.
"But then. you know. she would never get old
and every could come and admire her where she
looked down from her pedestal like queen from her
throne And Charlie and could take turns keeping
her brushed off in winter and come and smoke cigar
cites under her pedestal warm nights"
you're very inventive" said Miss Van Reed
cuttngly 'sYou might mention it to her."
She came down the walk to meet them and Wright
told himself that he had never her look beau
tiful before. She straight toward him with her
hand to Purvianct who casped 1t warmly and held
Then because she was a great coquette she snubbed
him completely and turned and gave her extended
hand to Purvance, who casped it warmly and held
1t as long as she permitted He felt it keenly but
bore up bravely under it and together they walked
back to the house and up the steps They viewed
the presents and said how fine they thought them to
be and how sweet it was to be remembered. Then
Wright added his to the lot-a silver collar for her
pet terrier. She really surprised, because she
had not expected anything nice from him. and
also because he had put his heart into having very
beautiful and had succeeded uncomnlonIy we'll The
jeweler who made it said that it was the finest dog
collar that went out of his northumberland
he was famous jeweler She was delighted with
1t and sorry now that she had snubbed him. and he
was glad she liked it. She told the maid bring In
Polar soon as she could find him and rney would
try his new collar.
Wright sat in the big window and stared out at
the vacant lot and its rank growth of weeds 1t was
not merry Christmas as he had expected and he
wondered what he had done cause her to snub him
she had just done Other men would have called
her coquette, but he would not admit it was that
To him she was the sweetest girl in the world and
he tried to find excuses for her He watched her as
she sat and talked, with one resting the eGge
OF her chair and he admired its exquisite beauty
He thought he had never but other that
was half plump and round and beautiful and that
was his mothers He told himself that any girl
could be beautiful with arm like that and none
without His gaze took in ever detail of her hair
and face and FORM and he could nothing that was
not beautiful. If he married it must be such
girl And then he asked himself sadly how he was
ever to win such goddess He felt utterly helpless
but he would never give up the fight while lie had
breath left though he had the slightest nopv
of success.
And she watched him he sat there gloomy and
silent, and She knew well that she the
of it. But she told herself it wasn't her fault
If he wanted to act foolish he shouldn't be leased so
easily She sfoked the silver collar in her lap softly
and muSed. somehow she felt sorry for him. Then
she started in animated discussion with Miss
Van Reed from which she came back to deny thar
She Cared anything for the young sitting oppo
SITE and who regarding her with such serious
melancholy. She wished he wouldn't look quite
hurt she intended to make it up to him. Then she
asked him help find Foar AMI they passed our
into the big half
They found him asleep rug before the blaz-
ing fire and looking very lazy, pet dogs always do
"Oh, you bad little dog" she cried. she for
ward and cIasped the collar around his neck
SIT fits beautifully" said Wright. And they botl
stood looking down at the surprised little terrier.
Then she said sweetly. you didn't mind MY nos
shaking hands, did you?"
"Of did, he returned
"You shouldn't" she said. Then she added. hoIf-
ing out her hand will you to make up fer 1t 2"
His heart gave great bound. but he closed his
hand firmly upon hers
do you mean that you will give me your handy'
he asked
She felt the blood rush into her face and dropped
her eyes and tried to pull away her hand.
do your" he urged
She felt that she trembling and her voice
refused to come. But she was brave girl and she
lifted her eyes and looked into his
And he understood and drew her to him.
Why Sugar