The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1907-02-21

Psrse fsabsfully, with Msist eyes.
Il was wsAdGiag IL might net give
ID b thsn fer the sake Of q lsasIy lit.
de girl whose sRs desire in Me was q
vain longing fer q say tea set" ,he
saie ts he stepped
Let ne" he begged expanding TN
Ter the isfseaee Of her ispsls;.s cen
aaenee
After ssne insisteaee abe yislsed
They tssk tAs amazed children inside
and she examined aas sItsIisd each
snail article with q delight that saual
I'd tisirs.
we Dc ret all PIT away childish
things with years." she said whsn tn ~
were outside. Il lsvs the wee thing,
yet, ana sene tims''-she smiled DEF
antly-'ssme time, when / can and not
feel 1t wicked sItavaEaxee. | an 60
ing to have my childish hearts desire
am 30 surs that yea will net lss-;,
Mt me that will Invite yea in to N.
first tea party"
He thanked her grsvely, understand
ing and synps thizinE entirely. Did he
not carry in his pocket Q wonderful
carnelan "taw" in nsmery Of the un
gratined longing Of the bsy he used t,
bet He had been waiting fer the
Christmas opportunity TO srstify her
innocent desire, rsysllng in imsgins-
ton in the intimacy Of Der prssisei
hospitality. Now he hsd put away his
day dream with 4 sigh and ertinsuish.
cd dim hope that had Elimmered fee,
bly,.
Rut it remained that he must make
the wedding present. and finally. being
confident Of her perfect sincerity, he
ignored sbtruding doubts a. TO spprs-
pristeness and procured = fsiryliks tea
set verify the possession Of q princes :.
which beiag unequal to presenting it
personally, he left at her desr With h'x
card one evening. just escaping her az
she came up the stairs
And then. whsn it was dsre. be 70
the first time considered hi. eserin.
from til. probable viewpoint of til.
prospective bridegroom and hsr friends
and the utter sbsurdity - It Owe
whelmed him. With shame he decided
that after such piece Of idiocy ther.
was nothing for him but Eight. snd he
was tossing things heller sksIter int.
his suit case when Ne heard her cross
ing the hall
He looked about desperately fsr =
way Of ESCAPE. then dragged himself
HnwillinSly TO the door Ut her ran
Il have only this moment realized
now Frepsstereus ray unfortunate Sc
lection is for wedding present" he
stammered abjectly as she entered.
OH The glow on her face faded
How stupid OF me, | ought to have
known there was mistake. and |
have opened the box" She set it upon
the table.
He shook his head dismslly There
is no mistake. beg yeur pardon
r
But there must be n mistake, They
left the package at my deer." she said
n little sharply
Il left it myself | meant it for 3
wedding present, but see how
His voice failed. again
She regarded his woebegone face
intently for a moment. Very we'll
will take 1t down" Her cheeks were
glowing and her eyes sparkling with
mischief. when found the package
| thought you had somehow discover
cd that today is my birthday and had
kindly remembered my childish lon.
ing. but IL it is a wedding present It
must go to Miss Bessie. who is soon
TO be married"
He sat down heavily and stared st
her.
You see, one must be married to
receive wedding present" she ex
planned demurely. her color namin:
under his gaze.
The tangle suddenly Strengthened
he sprang up. Yes" he assented, still
looking into her eyes, where by a
fash of inspiration he had seen his
kingdom, himself crowned king. He
plunged forward across the table and
seized her hands, asserting boldly, at
is wedding present-your wedding
present. Alma, dear, for you are going
to be married Immediately"
For answer she murmured tearfully
and happily, ooh, Norris, we will have
tea In the darling little cups cur hrst
evening at home!"