Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1902-04-01
NILES :.
G IFT
BY Fritz Korsmeyer
Copyright, 1901, by r. Korsmeyer

When the maid opened the door, q
gust of December wind, carrying with
it a few flakes of snow, followed the
tall, stiff form of GRANGER through the
vestibule and into the hall. AS the maid
had spent years In the service OF the
Garrisons, she ventured restrained
Good evening"" but GRANGER calmly
stalked by her over to the hall tree.
When he had put aside his things and
turned to her again, she said:
"Mr. Robert is in his room, sir. Shall
tell him you are here, or will you
"I'n go up. He's expecting me-"
At the head of the stairs he knocked
at his friends room and entered.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, old man;
ready In few minutes. Sit down and
make yourself comfortable, won't
you?"
GRANGER took the proffered cigar and
smoked in silence few minutes while
his friend worked ut his cravat.
81 had rather peculiar talk with
Miles today" began GRANGER in tone
that led Garrison to stop whistling and
humble an encouraging monosyllable;
"hapDened to meet him on the street,
you know, just as was going into
Homes to look at few Christmas
things. He had such long face On
that | thought he needed jollying up l
bit. Not like him to need cheering, Is
it?"
Scarcely" assented Garrison, with
an uneasy laugh. But of course you
know that Charlie has had some occa'
sion to look glum lately"
"Oh, yes: I've heard the family for
tunes have been rather going to POI
Well, as | said, | started in to chalf
him about Christmas gifts. l bought
q few tritles, but most Of the time
was showing Miles things that | said
a man with Il iiancee ought to be i'll
terested ill., and he was. Several times
| thought he was OH the point of buy.
ing something worth giving, but lie
finally said he couldn't decide. We
walked up the street together, and
Miles fell to specializing in a general
way as to what girls expected OF then
fiances at Christmas time. He seemed
to want my opinion. Queer of him to
come to me with that sort Of talk,
wasn't it, Bob?"
"Yes, but suppose he thought you
didn't know enough about his affairs
to suspect that he was talking Of his
own case. Men who are in love always
talk glittering generalities, while they
haven't thing in mind but their own
particular affair, supposing other peo-
pie won't know it. What did you tell
him?'
We'll. said it depended largely
upon what girls had been taught to en-
pect. From that we drifted into dis
cussion as to what man should do
when his prospects changed during his
engagement. Miles said that to the
sort of girl d man would really care
for it would make no difference. Good
Lord-'the sort Of girl man would
really care for" | told him man never
knows what kind Of girl he is likely
to care for or what kind he Is caring
for, so far as that goes, and said that
If | were engaged to Il girl wouldn't
take any chances at Christmas. He
responded rather weakly that most
girls of our acquaintance already had
everything they wanted"
(Which is quite true" put in Garri-
son.
"Oh, yes, true as far as it goes, but
you know very well that the average
girl likes to think her lover has search
ed the town over for something out oi
the ordinary. Now, we men know that
nothing remains to be bought as a
Christmas gift that we wouldn't just
as soon be without, but women don't
know it and never will, and so they
60 on, expecting joyous astonishment
every year"
"Still, don't believe Martha's just
like other girls in that respect"
"Oh. / don't mean that she cares
particularly for what Miles may give
her, If | may touch on such matters.
But wouldn't any girl Of the proper
spirit expect BY the way" GRANGER
broke off. interrupting himself and
glancing toward the half open door,
81 saw a light across the hall when !
came up. Is that
"Yes, that's Martha's room, but l
think she's down stairs" Garrison
went to the door and called his sisters
name. Receiving no response, he re.
turned.
"Her door was open, but she didn't
answer, so she isn't up stairs. Shall we
go now?"
At the foot of the stairs they en-
countered Miles, who had just come In.
The three men chatted a moment. Then
young Garrison and GRANGER went out.
Miles thought Martha looked at him
more seriously than usual as she gave
him her hand, but her eyes were
bright, and when she spoke there was
q touch Of gayety in her voice.
"Sit by the fire, won't your she urg.
ed. "You must be nearly frozen. l
like snow for Christmas, but without