Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1901-12-13

eight on this particular Christmas eve and
she had not yet discovered the hiding place
of to-morrow's gift.
He must know that I want diamonds
this time," she unused. "Why, have crit
icized the vulgar display Mrs. Jonesmith
makes of them, and talked of the waste Of
money their purchase implies until he
must have been impelled to buy me some
out Of sheer contrariety. But where did
he hide them? That
A knock at the door interrupted her
train of thought, and particularly unin.
viting chap asked for old clothes in a robust
whine. The influence of the season was
upon Mrs. Davidson, however, and she gave
him an old overcoat which her husband
thought he might sometime wear when he
went hunting. He never did 60 hunting,
but he lived as if he always expected tc
start early the next morning.
mo, just can't think where he has put
that gift" she said, returning to her chair
and her thoughts. well, one comfort. he
hasn't seen the cuff links and the meer,
schaum pipe have for him. I've moved
their hiding-place twice a week, SO he has
had no chance to find them while rum
maging in the waste paper basket for his
clean collars or searching in the china closet
for his necktie, which are always kept in
the upper left-hand bureau drawer. What
that"
The front door had opened cautiously and
a stealthy step went up the stairs and stole
across the floor of the room above Mrs
Davidson turned pale, then softly clapped
her hands. cts Tom going to take a peep
at my present! I'll keep quiet and find out
where it is"
She ;:eard the steps about the room, and
held Eer breath until they paused before
the chiffonier.
"Ah, it is in the drawer that Tom said
: had stuck and would not open. Why did
I never think of that before?"
She listened until the cautious footsteps
came down the stairs and the front door
softly opened and shut. Thensherose in her
triumph.
"Aha, he has slipped out to come in few
moments later, thinking that I did not
hear him. I'll slip up now, have peep at
my diamonds and good joke on him in the
morning!"
She went upstairs and lit the gas; it
dared up and a scream burst from her. The
room was in confusion; drawers were upset
and their contents scattered on the floor.
A. she screamed, the front door opened
and her husband came running upstairs
well, Tom Davidson, il you think this is
jokel DON'T" she cried. ,."ro slip in thia
way and play trick on your wife IT, T.. g:
j What on earth do you mean by Z joker
Z tom Davidson, you don't mean to say
that I didn't hear you come upstairs Is
minutes ago to look at my present and
! You certainly did not. Hello!" He strobe
across the room and lifted drawer Of the
5chiffonier which was upside down on the
bed. AS / came up the block, met the
ugliest tramp ever saw, and could have
sworn that he wore my old coat. You simply
sat there while he rifled the place and car
ried off the diamond pin had gotten for
your Christmas gift" =. ..=,'.zz% u
When she had quieted down little and
Mr.. Davidson was telephoning for the police,
his wife suddenly remembered that the last
hiding-place for the cuff links and the meer.
schaum pipe was the breast pocket Of that
old coat. = " - s.- .sss,.+g
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