The age-herald., 1899-12-17
ELSIE'S CHRISTMAS GIFTS.
BY FLORENCE s. TURRENrINE

Elsie Grayson stood on the front steps
 of her pretty home, waiting for her broth-
 CT to come from school. The wind was
 cold and unpleasant, and she grew very
 impationet before the shouts and laughter
 of gay crowd of boys and girls told her
 that school was over for the day.
 Hurry up, Donald" she cried a little
 grossly, as soon as her brother came in
 sight, "you know you promised to go to
 the book store this evening and help me
 look for the French books MT Darlington
 told me about
 "Did l really promise anything so terri
 ble as that? Well, it must have been when
 l was asleep, Elsie; so it won't count any
 way" and Donald, leaning against the gate post looked very much inclined to
 argue the matter.
 But his sister silenced him at once. I Now, Donald you know you said last | night if I'd help you with your Virgil les
 son you would go with me today. And I've l waited so late now, I can't come back
 alone; so you will come, won't you?" She
 finished pleadingly.
 | Well, I suppose I must if 1 promised
 only wait till I put down my books" and
 the boy ran past his sister into the house "Do change your coat and brush your | shoes; they are so muddy, Elsie called after him. Then she sat down on the step
 to wait. "I know he will be an age,' she | murmured, resignedly, buttoning her scar
 let jacket close about her throat. But l boys toilets hardly ever take 'an age; | Donald's certainly never did Before his l sister had time to settle herself comforta- l bly, or rather uneomfortably, on the cold l stone steps, he was back, ready for the l walk. ..... | MT. Darlington, the owner of the book | store was an old friend of Elsie's father, | and knowing the girls love for books he l had given her entire liberty to read any | of them she chose. So Elsie roamed at | will over the large store, spending many happy hours in the snug little library up- | stairs On the day before, MT. Darlington had told her there was box of French novels stored away somewhere, and she could have them if she cared to hunt for them. Elsie had told Donald and exacted half unwilling promise that he would help her in her search. It was only three weeks until Christmas, and the store windows
 were full of the pretty things which belong to that delightful holiday time.
 As the boy and girl passed on their way | home from the book store, Elsie said: q don't care a bit for any of these things and she looked contemptously al the pret- ty vases and delicate china in the windows,
 ''but there's set of Scotts novels al the
 book store I'm nearly crazy for; and you
 
 Christmas, no matter how bad I want it,
 because somebody always gives it to me then. She looked across the street. as if she was addressing her very pointed re-
 marks to the French window overhead, in- stead of to her brother. Donald did not reply, and they walked on hurriedly to get home in time for tea, but in spite of their | haste the bell rung just before they reach | cd their own corner.
 "Yes, I found the books l wanted" she | answered to her fathers question, "but | there Is a set of ScottS novels at the store I want very much; won't somebody get
 them for me for a Christmas present?' Nobody answered, but everybody smiled, and Elsie was satisfied
 During the three weeks that followed she impressed on all her relations and friends
 that she wanted Scotts novels. Don't you want anything else for Christ
 mas, Elsie, except a lot of old books?'
 asked the small sister, wonderingly. "Oh. yes;" answered Elsie, laughing, as she
 went to her own room to answer the notes of the two auntes who had written to
 know what the favorite niece wanted at Christmas.
 To each the answer was, "A set-of Scotts novels She smiled she sealed the let ters, and put them both into the same mail. "One of them will be sure to send me the books" she thought, happily. It never oc- cured to her that both aunties would send the same thing.
 Christmas morning dawne. coold and snowy, "a regular jolly day." as Donald said. Elsie opened her eyes sleepily and | had just turned over for her usual morning | nap, when she remembered what day it l was, and jumped out of bed hurriedly. A l bright fire bazed on the hearth, and hast | ening to it's welcoming glow, she began to | look about the room for her presents. On l the table stood a familiar looking box that | surely had not been there the nIght before. l She lifted the top and found, as she had | expected, a set of Scott's novels. On the title page, Donald's name was written in scrawling letters. | How kind of him." she exclaimed, gaily. | "I knew somebody would give me what I | wanted" Dressing quickly, Elsie down | to the aiming room, crying Merry Christ | mas, merry Christmas" as she kissed her | mother goodmorning. Donald and her | father stood before the fire looking e little worried. "Elsie, I didn't know what Donads pres ent for you was, so l bought the set of
 novels-the same set that he did-for you,"
 and her father handed her the books. look ing almost as disappointed as Elsie felt
 ''Never mind, come and let's eat break fast before everything is cold" said the mother. soothingly.
 | But before they had scarcely begun | there came loud ring at the door. | The servant went to answer it, and i turned. bringing a large parcel for Elsie. | With eager haste she united the string and | took off the thick wrappings. | She gave one look then said, in rather 1 subdued voice, "It's set of Scott's novels | from my friend Margaret Alliston." "Hurrah! Elsie, haven't you got nearly l enough now" laughed Donald, "this makes | three sets, you know
 "Yes I am perfectly sure I've got | enough" retorted that young lady, snap | pishly.
 Your aunties are sure to send you some l thing nice, dear," comforted her mother. "Pll just run up to the express office,' l said Donald, 'I can finish breakfast when | l come back" and he hurried from the l room before anybody could object. l Else's face frightened when a few mo- | ments later there came a second ring at | the door, and grew positively radiant when | the servant brought a large package to | her. She tore away the wrappings and, O. l misfortune upon misfortune; there lay an- l other set of Scott's novels. Enclosed was | tiny note from MT. Darlington: "One of my clerks told me you liked these l books very much, so I send them, with best | xvic for ,ric