Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-07-21

Mrs NarIovye vas writing at her desk,
and she let her hurryins pen pause mo-
rnent while she looked 20 at her daughter
Bessie. who sat in 8 chair at the window,
1t was March. and the open-grSte fire was
a comfort
"Bessie," she asked, did Thomas ac-
knowledge your Christmas present?'
Bessie allowed her book to drop to her
lap and glanced up.
''Thomas?" she asked. (which Thomas?'
Cousin Thomas Grant" said her mother.
Il am writing TO his mother, and l do not
seem to remember that you mentioned re-
ceiving an acknowledgment from him."
Bessie thought moment. mo, I did
not" she said. 1T doesn't matter
ut does matter" said her mother.
Thomas is your cousin, your own eighth
cousin, dear. and You have always remem-
bered him at Christmas every since YOU
were both children. / am afraid, If he did
not acknowledge IT, it may have gone
astray, ard he would think it strange II
lie has received nothing. / was thinking
more" she explained, of his mother and
of what she would think. What did Thomas
send you?
"Oh,." said Bessie, carelessly, Il don't
remember; there are so many cousins,
mother that 1 can't remember well what
each sends. He sent something
Mrs. Marluwe IrUwned.
I'm afraid you haven't the proper fam
ily spirit dear" she chided, gently; what
did you send Thomas
Now, mother how can l remember
asked Bessie, some little thing out OF the
ruck, but l can't remember what How
could l when there are so many cousins
and il is long after?
Are you positive that you sent him some
thing?' asked her mother I shouldn' I
like to mention to his mother If you had
for1otfpr1 him eutirgIN.'
Il sent him something. am positive OF
that" said Bessie, taking up her book
again. Il never forget a single coz, moth
er, under any circumstances. l have them
all tabulated and the census is complete.
Thomas got his little gift from his dear
cousin Bessie, and mis- heart was made glad.
He is probably too busy approaching it to
take time to acknowledge it
Mrs MarioWe was dear lady, but pune
tiIious She made calls and answered notes
and obeyed all the rules of gentle conduct
with the sincere and hearty belief that by
SO doing she was lettering the condition
of humanity and carrying out the first duty
OF woman. She was, perhaps. little more
severe in her letter to Cousin Thomas
Grants mother than she imagined. Writ
ten words are either nlagnifying glasses or
reducing glasses, and when Mrs Grant read
the letter she felt that her son Thomas had
been guilty of a crime in the eyes of Mrs.
Narlowe. She knew Mrs. Marlowe's in
tense regard for the conventions of social
Thomas" she asked. did you acknowl-
edge Cousin Bessie Marlowe's Christmas
present."
Thomas looked up from the afternoon pa
per-
What's that, mother? Oh, did I &C.
knowledge Bessie Marlowe's present? I
don't know. I guess SO. Why; does she
want II back?"
"Thomasr' exclaimed Mrs. Grant much
hurt Why do you say such things2 II
you did not acknowledge it you have been
guilty OF a most gross carelessness. You
know how particular Cousin Martha Is
about such things, and she has written me
a most ladylike letter. She has evidently
taken your omission most deeply TO heart.
What did Bessie send your"
How do l know" asked Thomas Il
suppose she sent me somethng-pink soap
or suspenders in silk box-or q pocket
handkerchief-or a polka-dot tie. Just write
and tell her II was a lovely present, and
that I am wearing il next my heart. Tell
her II was sonnet hing that l had been want
ing all my life. and that l was SO delight
ed l wept. Tell her it is not the value Of
the gift that makes me prize II so much as