Evening journal., 1912-06-22
Her Wedding Gift
BY Mabel TaIIey.

plefed their nrSt year of maIfleo iiit.
or course this was a most important
occasion and they both felt IT, The
young wife when she came down to
breakfast found her place at the "a
bic almost completely covered with
bride roses. If she gave her husband
more than q happy smile OF thanks,
We do not have 10 be definite about
that suffice for us. that. unlike many
other exemplary husbands he did not
forget the little attentions which
bring Joy 10 2 woman's heart
Come in to town after q while and
together we'll select the real gift,
he said. seeing the appreciative smile
which ut M her face
Didn't ] hear you sighing the
other day for a necklace like Nell
lie Grantham's; or would you pre-
fer some art curios. or an electric
runabout. or--what?'
Young Mrs. Delamore gathered
M the roses quite an armful,
and laid them on nearby chair
Only her hands should arrange them
and there would be time enough
for that after breakfast
Dearest" she said laughing a
little tremulously. ut is the what
InHI WINHa = Va NNdNEtUs 7 MOIb
since that foolish day I sighed for
a necklace. those curios | men
toned have been sold. and the
electric runabout can wait, but oh.
there is something that ought not
10 wait You may consider II a
strange gift. but n you would do it
for me- It would be the most beau
aifu gift you ever gave me"
n.
wife curiously Gertrude was a
Thoroughbred, not given to hyster-
fcs. whims and nervous fancies
He had never known her TO lose
ipoise. even under some trying ctr
cumstances. and yet here she was
changing color alsrming1y. and
iplainly mot ,ab ease. What under
the sun could she possibly desire
that should make her afraid Of him.
lIf ever IN the two years he had
known her ha had even found her
unreasonable. he would not so
much have wondered at her now
What. me inwaU,ly questioned
could have suddenly caused this un-
usual that day
- 3rtrudei" he cried. 'for heav-
ans sake. what is it7'
A cherry. not riper and redder than
Mrs Delamores own lips was ON its
way 10 her mouth. She toyed with II
q moment. then tasted II daintily II
was toothsome and juicy. she finish
ed Il and reached for another She laid
this one down. however. as she looked
un and saw her husbands face The
etrong. clear lines she loved so we'll
were accentuated by the anxious, ten
der scrutiny OF the dark gray eyes.
Pardon me. Keith" she exclaimed
penuentlv ''you asked me question
and ! am afraid YOU VIII not under
stand
Certainly not. little girl. n YOU
never explain But whatever Il rs, do
NOT he afraid You never we're be-
fore and why should ! have grown
suddenly formidable?"
"Oh you haven't Of course, u Is
only ] who am silly. and then can
pnt~help wondering what you viii think
Jpdxng up IN business. and it
VIE q long time 70 make YOU
land and ] know you haven't
AZ % he and 7 should have told you
befcre-only--of course didn't and
ff ] am to have anything In the gift
line today. please Keith. should Ike
<fhls better than anything
y The young husband who adored hts
wife and thought he knew her In all
her moods-happy, grave or gay-like
we'll loved book. laughed now az the
ahsurdfty OF seeing the belle of two
seasons and the self-assured. socially
popular natron OF q year. as abashed
and incoherent as the most ordinary
Of unsophisticated schoolgirls. Hand
~ a. kIma - H.
rehlied. he said IT thought J was
through. but az this seems 20 be a
long story. OF At least long in reaching
the climax. 7 NAV as we'll be fortified
with q second cup. 7 never knew you
70 heeitatine before. Gertrude; Il
doesn't suit your style at all. my dear
you are too tall and stately TO pose
ns the shy and modest violet n you
have chosen something and II is right
do not be afraid 10 ask for A. II II Il
possible and within my means n shall
he yours:if not. I'll tell you, and
will not eat you either, though yor
look as ~ you would be a sweet NOR.
sci
Thank you. Keith, for your eener.
csity all through, and for the hattery
thrown in What 7 ask for is righi
and I'm sure you will agree with ms
and accede 10 my wishes II ] am only
rlever enough TO make YOU under
stand
In the hrst place ! am sure yor
know that IN manv Of the largei
cities the most progressive Of the mer
chants have closed their stores for
half holiday during the hot summe'
months Of July and August. this. o
course. in addition 10 the regular va
cation allowed their employees. Thil
privilege. not such a large one, anl
vet generous. TOO, has been a real eaiI
in many ways and has not proven
loss 10 anyone concerned, as might a
first appear. II seems TO me that you
who are our towns leading merchant
philanthropist and prominent citizen
should not be backward in such
commendable movement in your owl
line of business. II you make the frs
move others will doubtless follow
and 7 should like IL 10 be YOU dear
who was frst generous and fni
enough 10 see the humanity Of sucl
en- act Ny ideal OF YOU h-s Away
been that YOU held instinctively y
the higher things of life. and the sue
eess of your own business has provel
ma this IS not an incompatible at
eitude for a man 10 take Change
ttem 70 be coming over this world o
cars and We think now a little o
helping each other as We work togeth
er and not altogether Of the materia
Aeaine we ourselves may achieve ]
pu are considerate Of your employe