The daily Alaskan., 1912-01-25

On Christmas morning George Nel- son drove up u, the house in his two wheeled cart and, hitchlng his horse Co a post. camp in l was watching him from my window and noticed that he had no packages in his hands. from which inferred that what he was h. tending Co give me of his own choos- ing was not bulky. He wore fur lined oyerccat. and there was plenty of room for ordinary sized packages in the pockets. went downstairs and found him and mother in the H- brary. There wasa very pleased look on mothers face. and. seeing her holding something in her clenched hand. in- ferred that she had received a present though how it could be Of much value and SO sma,l as Co hc concealed in her fist. [ could not guess. Mir. Nelson handed me boS. which ! opened and found a beautiful gold bracelet set with rubies He permitted me to feast my cyes on t for a while then drew forth another box, no bigger tban a walnut This opened and took out ring set with a handsome solitaire diamond,
 This is what have chosen for you, he said.
 | was as well pleased with it as with my bracelet. So intent was on both that for some time ! did not raise my eyes. and vhen did [ caught mother and Nr Nelson looking at each other mesuiuCly But so stupid was that I did not realize what was passing be tween them ! slipped my ring sue cessively on the fingers of my right hand and found .t fitted the third
 "I suppose shah wear it there ] said. Tt fits exactly
 "Oh Daisy exclaimed my mother, ..you are incorriEihle'"
 Not ct aH." Mr Nelson protested aIe' her wear the ring on ber right hand. Next Christmas | may give her another present. also of my own choos- iuc and possibly. !, may also be Of hers. but uI then let her do as she likes about this one
 aYou two are speaking in riddles ] broke out "I do wish you would talk so that ! can understand you."
 "Goodhy and a merry Christmas" ," said Mr Nelson. Remember. next year hope to stand here with another gift which will explain Co you things that you are yet too young to under stand
 With that he went out got into hi' cart and drove away
 What does 1t an mean. mother ' asked
 "rerAars you ,viU know by next . Christmas without being told
 That was an could get out Of her. and though puzzled over the matter au th.f day and for some time after ward failed to find any interprrta- lion for the secret between mother and Nr Nelson
 During the following year our neigh b.r was more frequently at our house and when summer came and he ta0l mc on &ng spine in his auto a rhauLo bad come oveT me began to faak upou bim not as a father or older brother, but as man whom ! liked very much to he with. When autumn came he would occasionally bring or gc1d me flowers frtm his conservatory ! Tt seems singular Co me now that while l [ began Co 'onk upon him as proper companion Tor me ! stlll failed to m tcrsHnd bs action in giving me a ring st Che previous Christmas l One day ' asked my mother if she remembered that George Nelson had 1 promised to give inc in December a present that would explain the previ ous one she replied that had missed au opportunity thst might moi occur 1 again A flood Of Eht poured In upon noe and was shc kcd at my ob;usc ness. Furthermore. | was seized with ! cousterBsuon. but had lost the man l | was now conscious that loved. From that time un Christmas ] stroye by especially encouraging my ] aNINleE NNlErf NN AlfAlN w NNt . NAA A'IN ] But the more l encouraged the more I was discouraged Mr Nelson grew. SO far as ! could discern, more and more indifferent Co me. Toward the end of October came a surprise. lt 1 was on a beautiful Hutumn day, when we went together for an automobile ! drive. MT Nelson sald to me:
 "Yon remember Chat ! promised you a gift for the coming Christmas that would be Of my and hoped of your | choosinCT'
 ''I do"
 q am ready to tell you what 1t Is to be"
 "WhatT'
 "A wedding rinc"
 When we returned to the house | announced Go my mother what my gift was Co be and that I had accepted it
 'I hope" she replied. you will have ] the sense to put it oh your left hand. "
 Indeed ! will | replied 1 George insisted, unless there was some especial objection. on being mar rlel on Christmas. He said that be had been looking forward for nearly 1 a year to put the wedding ring on my ] frr-ar and ff ha vrt,re not upruitted