The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-12-23

chiffon would he n good present for Nellie, for
while contemplating the seams in her neighbors'
backs as she waited to enlist in the cap crusade,
she Ind decided TO get something more original
than bislue figures for the Bents. The quality
OF the gay Colored remnants which had first in
spired the idea proved to be inferior. and she
remembered that some one had remarked what
n lovely line of silks II. had at fifty cents, all in
waist lengths, too. rs was where she ought to go,
OF course, There was no use in buying anything
a waist.
Passing out of the store, really proud Of her
self for working Mechanically and concentrate
ing her mind, on Nellie's present. instead OF
lettering to look at the pretty things, Mrs. Fred
FeaId '' 1nama eSsd m hSadk nTrh iGnu ali if' Iin Sna
hand embroidered, sold at a sacrifice" She
mus, have a look at them. Why not get some
for the children, and for Katie. the servant.
Mrs. Tyrrell, the laundress. would do them up
beautifully, and che, would get some. warm
gloves for Mrs. ryrrell. some that would fit her
a store, to buy such things at as any. She ad-
yanced as near, the handkerchief counter as
she could. and waited for some OF the
women, who were digging over the end
Selections 1is and Ta l mSRe. squares s s.m to p MAKE ts ana
gap counter was Fepeatedibut Mrs. Fred care
herself, for she didn't want to invest in another
veil or have her vanity. hurt BY being seen in
mitted her to put the Wanted handkerchief to
the test OF, touch and close inspection. The
not sufficient compensation for buying soiled
goods. somehow she changed her mind about
gloves. Maybe Katie would like a print dress
better. and now she cam. to think Of 1t; why
votionai book one OF the kind with a little text
and a verse for each day. bound in white and
gold2 She would like that; or an. umbrella 2
Why wouldn't an umbrella, a real nice one. do
for her! she did 20 much church visiting In all
sorts OF weather; and then Mother Adams could
book of adventure do for Tommy? Sea tales. or
life in India, or something of that kind, and
this was a good place to get It
Ma E.Al
day In the paper that very few people bought
books at the real book stores now. because the
would just look at those umbrellas in the corner.
She wished she had asked her husband what
he thought Of an umbrella for cousin Alice.
count OF her devotion to Nellie when she had
that fever that he would want ner to have
OF concentrating her thoughts on Nellie. OF work
Ing nsthodicSIly and getting one name on her
Mrs. Fred, and she had set sail on a shoreless
sea OF conjecture.
RecollectinG, however. how time was fly
ing, she FASTENED to inspect the neatly stacked
and labelled umbrellas in their little circu-
and price on that .no sUphtf her Ih9 6sd OF ye = qu Srd}yy
nary, handles, and those with handsome
handles were not otherwise desirable. She was
discouraged. After all. wouldn't IL be better to
get cousin AliAs a handsome cup and saucer, or
a pretty, %picture,r People were always giving
life lay entirely within the practical. She did
not see what had possessed her to think OF an
umUTtllb lot tDht present. VI course cousin
Alice had an umbrella already; everybody
had. there would be just as much sense in her
sghinss o fe thai q TRai3 n5p and or sb a P ssd Sssn or 70 s9 PINE
when Nellie had that spell, OF fever. A cup and
saucer in 3 case or q handsome PLAGUE would
would look Just as il one thought she couldn't
buy one, and as cousin Alice was poor such an
decided to lake the elevator again and look at
That idea Of the devotional book for Mother
Adams was the very thing and then sOmetima
Nellie could paint a little book mark for the old
,Mad dibsr That Than Would SSG please her; and besides
that Nellie vas being brought, up, with rather
mother, and what for his sister? Let's see.
Mrs. Fred was 80 absorbed in speculation that
she failed to stop the elevator on It's way up. aud
lost time In consequence; but then IL wasn't
that she should decide positively. once for all,
what she would purchase for, each: then It
and her = mO Otsh,sff and Nellie wei" were p pPpSid ft fos
with the cup and saucer, the devotional book,
were not bought yet, but then 1t was easy enough
to get them once ones mind was made up. She
decisions against the names.
When you are going 70 give a present. Mrs.
suit the taste or the person 10 whom IL was to be
given. Fred's sister was inclined TO be literary.
Why wouldn't a paper knife do for her, or a pen,
she remembered that Nellie had no nice pen.
Why not give Nellie a pen instead of the silk
NAlsI dlu XIV Ills AuhInb some me HIA-
tionsry.? Nellie would like the pen better. and a
silk waist, anything 10 wear. was such II prosaic
The word waist and substituted pen against Mel.
lies name. and felt herself a trihe less bewil-
dered as she stood before the book counter. But
now another dilemma presented itself. The very
devotional book that took her fancy reminded
her that its twin sister or brother was on Mother
Adams's work table, She was glad she remem-
bered in time. Mother Adams and her daugh-
ter were inclined TO be critical, and they would
observation IN she had given that book. She
hela the volume IN her hand, trying 10 think Of
decide quickly, she told herself becaase" the
inner woman warned her that It was past
luncheon time. 4 rose Jar, a hairpin receiver, a
and c~ountermarched through her brain in the
next second; she repudisted them all and
The sea tales didn't seem thrilling. and the
saleswoman betokened no interest In the mat
and .rehecting that Tommy didn't care very
much for books anyhow. she decided TO think OF
sSeR q restA slss tG With hi Il: R ana -f sSTned in nSay to
OF buying Nellie = volume OF Mrs. Browning's
II was a weary, discouraged, draggled little
woman who took her way, up town that evening
armed with a cake Of violet soap and a new
all the afternoon In search Of bargains and ideas
and Inspirations and was no nearer accomplish
left home that morning. Her temper was ruff
ned, too. and when Mrs. Fred lost her equAnim-
M. Fred give her his reluctant opinions about
blsque figures and rose bowls, umbrellas and
devotional books. viewed In the light OF presents,
and when, having no helpful advice 70 OFFER, he
sleep and dreamed Of Yshis. Arst With a slf
waist then alternately with slippers, a manicure
set q pen, and . copy OF
The next day found her in the thick OF Il
all again; and she had Tommy out with her
IN the afternoon 10 choose = present for his
Sunday school teacher. When they we're last
sean = particular shade OF violet note
paper, which his mother thought was too deep.
and which Tommy thought would do as well a.
not seemed likely 70 involve them In dinicul-
ties. Tommy being evidently anxious ~ take
aud escape, and Mrs. Fred being
equally anxious to get the worth Of her money. |
What the Bents will get for Christmas or Mr..
FTod's mother or Cousin Alice Is yet q matter |
OF speculation, but Mrs. Fred believes that she
will conquer In the end and starts out each
good thing Christmas comes only once 4 year,