Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-01-31

brother had pointed out to her Rudd,
the mighty "stroke" In the home
crew. Often now, when he was not
looking, she had caught herself eye
ing MIN appraisingly as he crossed
| the long office. He was thirty-fve
now. His head was lowered like
charging bull at the world in gen.
eral, his lips rarely opened except to
give an order, his eyes were steel
gray and she did not like the lines
Of his mouth
But she had tried to suit him, and
surely he might have told her have
given her some warning that he was
looking for another secretary. And
to have the news sprung suddenly
on one like that Christmas eve
somehow Jared the delicate nerves
that send their messages of peace
and Joy to the brain. Her hands
were ice cold and shook a trife as
she helped Joe fasten on the rest
of the ornaments and gifts. Per-
haps the tears that rose to her eyes
blurred the number Of packages
that Joe was diligently tucking
away In the spruce boughs.
II think we might light 1t now"
| she whispered at last "You may
/ SS.A eAAS AOotp ONC ~ you Will. To- o.
But Joe did 1t in his own peculiar
way. Mounting lightsomely on the
nearest desk, he proclaimed the
glad tidings. and did a sidestep to
rouse the proper spirit in the bid
den guests They reused well. Nell
laughed and half apologized, but
Joe silenced her. He went into
Ruddys sanctum and came forth
robed In the green couch cover with
| wreath OF evergreen a-tilt on his
head. and Ruddy's own antique
brass paper cutter for scepter.
"Oh, but Joe, what II he should
come back?" faltered Nell. "You
know you shouldn't"
Joe capered merrily as master OF
| ceremonies.
Shouldn't l If the old man him
self was to open that door and walk
in I'd say" He paused. Nell was
standing on top of the desk, reaching
down the presents. Old Wayman was
balancing himself on q chair to HELM
her Brett had q string of pink pop
| corn, munching it, and Carlson and
Marcus were popping carnival caps
| out of Christmas crackers. But Joe's
| round, black eyes were fixed on the
door of the private ONCE. Framed
| in it stood Rudd, his heavy overcoat
sprinkled with snow. He had en-
tered through the other outer door
| unseen.
What would you say, Joe?" asked
Nell, curiously. II know what I'd say
She paused. and held a lighted pink
| candle up in one hand. "rd say, Even
if you are the crossest, grumpiest old
plotter In the world, I'm going to hand
you down a Christmas angel just the
same, and string of popcorn, and
candy turkey, and-and, let's see?
Well give him this" Her hand
reached up for one of the parcels, a
little bronze paperweight of a Chinese
mandarin
HE thanks you." said Rudd at her
elbow, bowling low. This is indeed 1
surprise. Boys, you will find Santa
Claus has left parcels in on my desk
for you ALL
Joe tumbled first, and led the way
until only Rudd and Nell were left In
the outer room, facing each other
across the desk with the lighted tree
between.
| Il have something to put on your
tree if you don't mind" he said after
pause.
Nell thought Of the letter. He would
probably try to give her consolation
prize before discharging her.
You may do quite as you like, Mr..
Rudd," she said clearly, 'in your own
| office. / am sorry have done this
| He did not seem to hear her, so busy
was he in hanging very small parcel
to branch OF the fragrant spruce
Then he took the little bronze image
from her. and held it In his hand.
do you mind opening 1t now. be-
fore the boys return?"
She reached for it in silence The
outer paper slipped from her hands.
Within was small dark green leather
case, and she opened that, too, with
cold little finger. Then she looked up
at him from the ring that lay there,
circlet Of narrow gold set with one dia-
mond, not too large, just an imprison-
ed bit Of sunlight like the high light
in her eyes now
Rudd watched her. The lines of
the fight softened In his lean, young
face. He looked hungry and yearning.
Against the dark rich background of
the spruce, with its cleaning candle
points Of light, she seemed Elusive.
like some spirit of the hour almost in
|
narrow bands Of fur at sleeves and
throat. He had never seen her
dressed up before. She always wore
black, he knew, but this was the
Christmas eve, and she was the lady
Of the revels.
will you wear it, Nell?' he asked
under his breath.
"Why?' her dark eyes sent signal
Of distress toward the closed door
where Joe and the rest were ~ can't;
don't you see that can't, Mr.. Rudd?
It's good Of you, too good, but truly
don't want,it don't mind your send
ing me away. | was filing your letters
and saw what had been said about an
other secretary"
did your His eyes held CLINT
Of quick amusement In their depths
81 am getting another secretary, Nell,
to fill your place. dear"
Don't you dare to call me, that"