The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-07-26

"a nice Christmas will ! spend he
sighed to himself mo place to go
where I can enjoy myself. no one to talk
with whom l would care to talk with.
nothing to do but--what?" and he
turned over with another sigh.
His reveries were soon interrupted by
a loud knock on the door OF his apart
ment. and he hastily dressed and an
swered the summons. II was the Irish
ianitor on his regular morning round.
"A merry Christmas to We, Masther
Brice." the janitor cheerily exclaimed
and many returns OF EN-"
Thank you; the same to you" How
ard replied. but without in the least dis
playing the good fellowship shown by
this good natured man.
Here's some presints fur ye," the jan
itor continued. handing him the morning
mail. and then with a pleasant good
morning. sir" disappeared.
Howard looked through the bundle Of
letters. half hoping for one from Ruby,
but none in her handwriting ESQ familiar
to him) appeared in the list. He sighed
weariIy. and turned his attention TO the
other letters. which were mostly Of a
business character. There were a num-
Der OF small packages among the mail. a
great many of them presents from the
clerks at the store. and from acquaint-
ances. At the sight OF these many little
tokens OF remembrance. a feeling of
gratitude came over him. mixed with re-
proach. and he chided himself for being
so unsusceptible to the joys and good
cheer OF the happy season.
One little package was yet to be open
ed and as he took the missive in his
hands he regarded It rather curiously.
The handwriting was apparently that OF
woman. and looked as II an attempt
had been made to disguise #. He slowly
united the bundle. and removed the out
er wrapper, disclosing an ordinary paste
board box, which IN turn contained an
other package securely tied.
| Howard smiled--for the first time since
/ he had left the store the day previous
! thinking some one had played joke on
/ him by sending as a gift bundle Of pa
pers, and he wes about 10 throw II aside
when his curiosity got the better of hin
and he removed the paper wrapper. Il
contained a neat box with the name OF Z
weIl-known jeweler on The cover. end
as he opened It a cry Of astonishment
| escaped him. for he beheld instead OF {
stone or something equally worthless
gold watch. beautifully engraved
most handsome present,
He looked for a card, thereby to dis
cover the identity OF the sender. bu
there was none to be found. He pickle,
! up the outer wrapper and again closel!
scrutinized the inscription Suddenly
! light of recognItion dawned upon hii
face, and his hands began to tremble
1t is her writing. he hoarsely whis
pered-"she wrote tits Ruby's-it's-
it's-oh, RUBY he moaned as he sanl
into chair. It's my fault. It's m,
foolish stubbornness that has brough
all this about. instead of going 10 yo'
Ike man and admitting l was t,
blame I've kept still--I've done nothinl
but suffer-worry-I' We
The poor fellow, he got no further. H
broke down. Convulsivc sobs shook hi
whole frame. All Of his pent-up feel
ings Of the last three days were let on
IN this outbreak Of remorse. and h.
shook like a reed in storm. But jus
as suddenly as the knowledge OF hi
own blunder broke upon him did thl
show Of weakness leave him. He aros
and paced slowly up and down the room