Art. YI.— a STORY FOR THE HOLIDAYS. 



BY T. S. ARTHUR. 



'Didn't he make you a present of anything, Lizzy?' asked Mar- 

 garet Granger of her cousin, Lizzy Green. 



' No, not even a strawberry cushion,' spoke up Lizzy's sister Jane, 

 ' that he might have bought for a sixpence. I think he 's a right 

 down mean, selfish, stingy fellow, so I do; and if he does not keep 

 Lizzy on bread and water when he gets her, my name 's not Jane 

 Green.' 



' I would n't have him,' said Margaret, jesting, yet half in earnest. 

 ' Let Christmas go by, and not make his sweetheart a present of the 

 most trifling value ! He must have a petty soul. Why, Harry 

 Lee sent me the " Leaflets of Memoi'y " and a pair of the sweetest 

 flower-vases you ever saw, and he only comes to see me as a friend. 

 And Cousin William made me a present of a copy of Mrs. Hall's 

 sketches, the most interesting book I ever read. Besides, I received 

 lots of things. Why my table is full of presents.' 



'You have been quite fortunate,' said Lizzy, in a quiet voice; 

 * much more so than Jane and I, if to receive a great many Christ- 

 mas presents is to be considered fortunate.' 



' But do n't you think Edward might have sent you some token 

 of good-will and afi'ection in the holiday season, when every one is 

 giving or receiving presents ?' asked Margaret. 



' Nothing of the kind was needed. Cousin Maggy, as an expression 

 of his feelings toward me,' replied Lizzy. ' He knew I understood 

 their true quality — and felt that any present would have been a 

 useless formality.' 



' You can 't say the same in regard to Jane. He might have passed 

 her the usual compliment of the season.' 



'Certainly he might,' said Jane. ' Lizzy need n't try to excuse 

 him after this lame fashion. Of course there is no cause for the 

 omission but meanness — that's my opinion, and I speak it out 

 boldly.' 



' It is n't right to say that, sister,' remarked Lizzy. ' Edward has 



other reasons for omitting the prevalent custom at this season — and 



good reasons, I am well assured. As to the charge of meanness, I 



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