The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1911-12-07


obliged 10 spend the evening there
working over the papers OF case that
had been referred to him to put In Or
der to be used at an approaching trial
His purpose was to furnish an excuse
for spending Christmas eve, which
they could not afford to make joyous
occasion away from home. He ex-
pected that she would demur at this.
but she made no objection whatever
Indeed, since she was intending to
celebrate Christmas morning with con-
siderable profusion and fearing that
he would notice some indication of the
coming event. she was glad to nave
him away from the house.
Tom came home late Christmas eve.
heaving a sigh as he turned his latch
key. Ella was waiting for him up
stairs and, instead of re-echoing his
sigh, received him with smile.
What treasure you are. sweet
heart" he said, embracing her, Ito give
up so much for me-
There was a twinge Of conscience on
the wife's part at this undeserved en-
comium, but she threw 1t of and be-
gan to speak OF other subjects. we
are but human, and 1t Is not best to
put too great a strain on one another.
To deny a woman or a child all partic-
ipation In celebrating Christmas Is as
signing q task without giving adequate
strength for its performance. Tom lay
awake that night brooding over having
to deny his young wife what he knew
she SO eagerly desired and awoke late
the next morning. Ella had dressed
and gone below. Tom arose and was
completing his toilet when he heard
voices downstairs. Since the pair kept
no servant he was surprised. Going
downstairs he WAS astonlshed to see
his mother and his father and his sis
ter, while his wife's parents were just
coming In at the front door.
Merry Christmas all shouted at
once.
Tom looked at Ella with a half as
tonished. half reproachful glance,
which melted into smile under the
ringing salutation.
Then came others of both families,
every one bringing a package. Tom
was surprised to see the breakfast Ia
BILE drawn out to thrice its usual
length, with card bearing a name on
each plate, packages piling up on each
card. Ella In passing him took his
hand and gave it squeeze, looking
into his eyes with an expression which
might mean almost anything, but
which Tom took as pleading for for
giveness. Then the breakfast was
brought In and all sat down to the ia
BILE.
! Neither Tom nor Ella made any ref
erence during the meal to Elias viola
/ ton OF her agreement as to celebrat-
ing Christmas. But Tom did not act
disagreeably about 1t, after the first
few moments entering into the spirit
of Christmas with a hearty good will
Ella was unusually merry, showing no
trace of fear at scolding after the
celebration was over. When breakfast
was finished 1t was agreed that the
presents should be handed to the
brides father, who would read aloud
the names of the donor and receiver
written on them and hand them to the
latter to be opened.
And so the process began, the minor
articles being first distributed. Even
though the gifts are trifiing there Is
something delightful in the expecta-
ton attending these Christmas dis
tributions. A name was read and the
package handed TO the receiver. who,
with a smile for the donor. opened 1t
and, no matter how unimportant the
gift, expressed unbounded delight
Half an hour was taken up before the
last present came up to be delivered.
ELLA to Tom" was read out In a
sonorous voice.
Tom. seeing little package no
heavier than an ordinary letter, felt
relieved, thinking that Ella had kept
her word at least In this one item,
giving him some trife-a bookmark
perhaps-that she had made with her
needle. The package was handed to
him amid silence. all eyes turned upon
him to discover what her gift would
be. He broke the string and took out
two bits of rectangular paper. 1t grad
ually dawned upon him that they were
the two notes for $500 each he had
made to Shuster On their face was
stamped In large red letters the word
Cancelled"
Tom looked up at Ella, whose eyes
were dancing with delight. For few
! moments he did not seem to under
stand the matter or at least did not
know what to do. Then he arose from
his seat and. going to her, took her In
his arms amid a united shout Of "Mer-
ry Christmas" from the others, who by
this time haG gained an inkling Of the
meaning of the brides gift.
Calls for an explanation coming from
all sides. 1t was given by the brides
father:
About the time Tom was gradu-
ated from college and needed money
for his studies for profession Ella
received legacy Of about $1,000. She
desired to give 1t to Tom for educa-
tional purposes. but feared he would
not accept 1t. She went to Shuster, a
money lender. and hired him to propose
to furnish Tom with the required
means Mt moderate interest. and 1t
was through Shuster that Ella lent
Tom the money. the notes for which
n ri - l.