The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1915-12-23

XOHN SPENCER always knew b
was not good enough for An
- Preston, but John Spencer di'
resent being told SO often an,
off1cfously by AIMS people that he wa
not good enough for her. They onl,
augmented his determination to ge
Ann. And so John just picked up hi
bride and his lawbooks and carried
them of to the west.
The travel across from Virginia, tn.
opening of law Office, the establish
Ing of new home, even though very
simple one, made money evaporate
very rapidly. And, although no legal
business had as yet found its way to
Johns Office, he was always busy get
ting read up or Strengthened out or set
tied down. Ann was extremely lonely
and homesick. She cried a good part
Of the time when John wasn't there.
John was making such fight! But
Just now they were having house
parties back at home, and peaches
were ripe. And here the land was as
hot and dry as desert. The dust got
In her throat and, worse still, in her
y CD. 81 lAClc Cdu0 uOTIlDlc, QlS-
figuring smoked glasses, then a green
eye shade, then a darkened room and
pain, constant pain, and then there
came specialist. He pronounced It a
very serious case of eye trouble and
said she might lose her sight entirely.
Her eyes were kept bandaged all the
time.
For three months she had been in a
darkened room. John Spencer read to
her, dressed her, fed her and cared
for her as II she were a baby. In
those three months his hair had turned
gray. Never had she spoken to him of
the ones back home. But as Christmas
time grew nearer and nearer she would
ask every day with such pathetic
quaver In her voice. ANY letters,
John?'
1t was like sword stab in his heart
He knew she was looking for Christ
mas box, and he knew none would
come. He knew them all, especially
her uncle James, who had intended
making her his heiress before she had
disgraced the family by marrying
poor white trash" and her two proud,
cold, mercenary sisters. Her parents
had died when she was very young.
One day when Ann had asked her
little quavering question John Spencer
ground his teeth and said to himself,
"She's got to have that box" The next
day he was later than usual getting In
from town, and the next day after, al
though 1t was more than two weeks be-
fore Christmas, an expressman brought
a box and set 1t on the porch. Ann had
heard him drive up and set something
down and was ali excitement when
John arrived.
why, here's an express packagew
he shouted out as he stepped upon the
porch. Then he brought the box into
her room and began prying of the lid.
Mrs. Ann Preston Spencer" he said
Is the boards creaked of. And 1t says
rom Virginia" he continued.
"Oh, OH" she cried in delight.
First he took out an envelope and
lanes. Inside is $25."
"Just what he always gave me at
cried Ann. "And wasn't
t dear of himy' John did not reply.
lie was unfolding flimsy, gaudy,
ose colored silk negligee trimmed in
oarse, machine stitched lace. Here
8 pink silk evening Dress" he said,
and the card says From Cousin Har-
let"
"Oh, how perfectly lovely of her!" |
reclaimed Ann. do let me feel It."
And then there were alleged hand |
made and embroidered things marked |
rom Cousin Lucy and Aunt Juliet and |
ONE really lovely table linen which
lad her two sisters cards on it.
Ann was like different person, and
vhen the specialist came next time he
aid there really was some hope for
er eyes now.
A neighbor woman, Mrs. Green, took
are Of her while John was away in
own, and when she came in the next
1orning after the box arrived Ann
ad her get out all the things.
The cards were all pinned on them.
omehow the handwriting looked
familiar to Mrs. Green. John
pencer had written contract for her
ACu CAO AAtA0 cOi0 cOAdC ldAu Ou0 |
lrned one of the cards over. On the
Their side, In big black type, was John
pencer, Attorney at Law" 1t didn't
Ike the condolences that Mrs. Spencer
'as now pouring out to make Mrs
reen understand 1t all.
Then Mrs. Green went home and had
good cry and sent a special delivery
tier to Virginia. such letter as had :
robably never found It's way into
lat state before. She tried to pic
ire John Spencer as his friends and
,fghbors saw him, as they had learn
to know him-his strength and cour- =
,e and tenderness--day by day as he
red for his helpless, stricken wife
e was tactful enough not to mention
y knowledge OF family estrange-
,nt. He had just done this thought
!, delicate thing because his wife had
he'd for something from home and =
tried to satisfy her every wish and 3
i'm When they heard about 1t they
uld be only too glad to make that a.
,h come true, and, of course, they 81
ST never LET Mr. Spencer know that BE