The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-09-13

why fcoutdn't dstrt 8 story 10 somplstion
Brain fag and iack Of industry would
knock it out In no time. No, my dear;
your Handicapped Aleck will continue to
swing around the reportorial orbit and
leave this story writing to the fellows with
perseverance, and q 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 that Rose and Aleck had enjoyed to-
gether. 1t was Rose who recalled the Inn
portant fact.
1.-The other one was 30 closely mixed up
with our honeymoon that 1T quite lost its
identity, she said.
"Every day was Christmas with us
then," sang Aleok to barbarous tune Of
his own invention.
It was the day before Christmas, and
Aleek came home In state of mild ex.
element
1.-TWO queer things happened at the
office today" he said. "Just as I was
leaving tonight old Ruggles called to mo
as passed.. Hello Aleckl he said. II
sec that vol have found time, and he
Il.
Capital, too, he shouted after me ~ 1
hurried along. What do you suppose he
meant2'
Rose WAS busy at the table and only
shook her head.
"And then," continued Aleck, "as I
passed down the stairs met Nichols, our
book reviewer, coming up, his arms over
flowing with books rs usual. It's rare,
indeed, that he ever mods to me, but this
time he peered over his glasses and actu-
ally stopped. Its Mr.. Alexander Daw-
son, isn't it?' no cried in his shrill voice.
Glad to know you, sir. It's good, very
good, indeed. I'm going to say so. A
merry Christmas to you, Mr.. Alexander
Dawson, and to Mrs Dawson and all the
little DaWsons, and he chuckled and pass
ed on"
IA very rude person, said Rose, with
red face. "What do you suppose he
mGantf"
"Haven't blessed idea. He doesn't
drink, so he's either getting queer or he
mistook me for somebody else; but 1t
seemed funny, coming right on top of
what Ruggles said"
He paused and looked around.
"Did he began, when Rose intor-
ruptetrhim.
"Yes yesl" she cried. "They arrived all
right. Such lovely chairs and such nice
center table! just what we needed.
Thank you 30 much, dear" And then she
thanked him in the good old way. .
1t was pleasant little supper so pleas
ant that Aleck forgot all about the blue
pencil grievance. When it was finished,
Ro leaned back and laughingly asked, do
we enjoy the customary authors reading
tonight"
"No," said Rose, "our holidays COM
mencc, like the Jewish fast days, at sun
down. We will illuminate tho reading
room tonight for change. Now wait, sir,
while light up" Sho hustled into the
parlor and presently called him. The new
center table, thanked right and left by the
new chairs, stood out IN all its glory. Be-
side the lamp lay n square package.
Aleck's gaze fell upon it.
"Your Christmas present, dear" muir
INJURED Rose.
He tore off tho wrapper impatiently.
"a bookl That's fihe," he said ms he
drew neat volume from Its paper sheath
and held 1t up. "Wh-wh-what S thisS" he
quickly stammered, "'Blue Pencil Sto-
ries, by Alexander Dawson"
He was dazed.
"Why-whats You blessed angel, what
does this mcanp"
He skipped from page to page with ca
ger eyes and trembling fingers. eyes, yes,
they are mine, but-but-1 am sure Inev-
err wrote Them
"You told them, DEAR" said the tri-
umphant Rose. "You told them in tho
cleaning, you know, and l took them
down word for word in shorthand. And
the publisher liked them SO much, and
you arc to have royalty OH every copy
sold, and"-
"WhatI' cried Aleck. us that what
those busy fingers were doing In the twi-
lightS Why, Rose, dear, you are crying
again"
But they were only tears Of JOY, and it
was very happy little author that kissed
them away.
For the blue pencil spook was laid for
Plain Dealer.