The Wrangell sentinel., 1916-12-21
latchkey. Ella was waiting for him

! S4hS up so LuuCU lOI me
 l Tom lay awake that night brood ing 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 astouished to see his mother and his father and his sister, while his wife's parents were just coming in at the front door.
 Merry Christmas" all shouted at once.
 Tom looked at Ella with 6 half astonished. half reproachful glance, which melted into smile under the ringing salutation.
 Then came others of both fami- lies. every one bringing a package Tom was surprised 10 see the break fast table drawn out to thrice its usual length. with & card bearing & name on each plate. packages piling up on each card.
 Neither Tom nor Ella made any reference during the meal To Elias violation of her agreement as to celebrating Christmas. But Tom did not act disacreeably about 1t. after the first few moments enter ing into the spirit of Christmas with hearty good will. Ella was unusually merry. showing no trace of fear at scolding after the cele- bration was over When breakfast WAS finished II 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 distribut- ed. Even though the gifts are tri- fling there iS something delightful in the expectation attending these Christmas distributions. \ name was read and the package handed to the receiver. who. with a smile for the donor, opened II and, no matter how unimporrant the gift. expressed unbounded delight. Half an hour was taken up before the last present came up to be deliv- cred.
 Ella to Tom" WAS read out in a sonorous voice.
 The package was handed 10 Tom amid silence, all eyes turned upon him to discover what her gift would be. He broke the string and took ont two bits of rectangular paper. II gradually davned upon him that they were the two notes for $500 each he had made to Sinister. On their face was stamped in large red letters the word "Canceled."
 Tom looked up at Ella, whose eyes were dancing with delight. For few moments he did not seem 10 understand 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 Merry Christmas" from the others. who by this time had gained an inkling of the mean ing of the brides gift.
 Calls for an explanation coming from au sides. 1t was given by the brides father:
 About the time Tom was gradu- ated from college and needed money for his studies for 8 profession Ella received legacy of about sl.200. She desired 10 give it 10 Tom for educational purposes, but feared he would not accept #. She went 10 Shuster, a money lender, and hired him 10 propose to furnish Tom with the required means al mod crate interest, and it was through Sinister that Ella lent Tom the money, the notes for which on this blessed Christmas morning she as his wife cancels"
 All leaned forward 10 catch every word of this brief explanation. When 1t was finished every one felt moved 10 say something, yet no one seemed to know what 10 say. The silence was broken by Ella's little brother. aged six. who wildly shout d 'Alerrv Christina"
 The words were not So irrelevant as they seemed. since 1t was on the first Christmas morning that the great lesson of self sacrifice vas an- nounced to the world.