Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1908-09-12
IT UCILE'SDLARY
She is PrOVldentlalIy Provided .
4 With a Smart PaFaSOI.

remember her generously this year."
he said, "for she is such a jewel. II
it weren't for her faithful services I
don't see how we could ever run the
house. AS you usually seem to have
difficulty in making your allowance
cover your expenses I'm glad to con-
tribute a little toward your gift for
her."
l had a great deal of difficulty find
ing anything very nice for So. I
didn't feel that could afford to
spend any of my own money, for l
need so many new things this au-
tumn, but knew father expected me
to give her something handsome, so
looked about until was quite worn
out.
Sometimes I think the custom of
celebrating birthday anniversaries is
quite foolish and childish. One
would fancy, for example, that
woman of Cousin Fannie's age would
be glad to let the years go by I'M
noted. On the contrary, she is as
pleased as little girl when she finds
her breakfast plate heaped with pres
ents.
At last I selected a parasol which,
on account of the lateness of the sea-
son, had been greatly reduced in
price. 1t was beauty.
The very day that bought it Ma
rian Lewis telephoned me that she
was having an impromptu afternoon
tea. She said several people had
dropped in unexpectedly and she
wanted me to come right over and
help her entertain them. After 1
Lad put on my white embroidered
Swiss frock I couldn't resist trying
the effect of that parasol with my
costume. 1t gave such a lovely fin
ishing touch that of course l decided
to carry 1t.
knew I looked rather we'll, for
Marian whispered as she greeted me:
"How awfully grand you are, Luz
cile! You're dressed as deliberately
as If we were having real party"
II always like to compliment my
hostess by being as well dressed as 1
can" answered, looking at the plain
you know 1 didn't invite any of
the others. They all just happened
in, except you," she said, fussily
smoothing some of the wrinkles in
her skirt.
II think inexpensive little frocks
suit you, Marian" 1 remarked kind
ly, but she did not seem pleased.
| I oil - an To-
was there with his runabout, for I
didn't feel in the least like walking
home. The tea was rather a stupid
affair and, like all dull things, made
my head ache. After / had been
there half hour or so l told John
that really felt too badly to remain
and he insisted upon taking me home.
Marian seemed quite hurt at my
early departure, but 1 felt that l sim
ply could not sacrifice myself on the
altar Nof friendship any further. 1
certainly overt to my family to keep
we'll, and my temperament is so SEN
sitive that there is nothing makes my
head ache SO quickly as being bored.
Once in the automobile 1 began to
Ieel very mucn DeLCef,
Motoring is the best cure for all
Ills" l said, as we whirled down the
boulevard. "Such an exhilarating
ride as this blows away every ache
and pain. l almost wish it wasn't
such short distance home"
I'm going to take you for spin,
Lucille" John said determinedly. 'T
see you need the fresh air."
laughingly protested that 1 ought
to go home-that should be late for
: dinner.
Bother dinner" said John. "Why,
if you say so, we'll dine at the coun-
try club. We can telephone your peo-
ple."
love country club dinners. 1 felt
very comfortable, too, as, sitting on
the veranda, l kept off the rays of
the setting sun with the lavender
parasol. 1 noticed that its beauty
and style attracted considerable at
tention.
AS John was helping me into the
automobile when we were starting
home, he cried out:
"Oh, Lucille! I've dropped that
foxy sun umbrella of yours and the
handles broken"
oh, dear" sighed. Then l add
ed pleasantly, 1T doesn't matter at
ALL"
Yes, 1t does" said John. 81 know
it does by the tone of your voice. I'll
have it mended so that it will be bet
ter than new. How would you like
to have your name engraved on the
gold band that will hold those broken
bits of ivory together?"
THAT would be lovely" answered
with as much enthusiasm as possible.
] know it would have made John
feel very uncomfortable If had told
him that the parasol was intended
for gift for Cousin Fannie, and ]
am glad that i had the tact to say
nothing about It. Thinking it over
afterward decided that it was really
too frivolous and SNOWY for dear Cou-
sin Fannie's quiet, sober taste, any.
way.
Father and mother appeared rath.
er surprised when they saw the DARK
gray gloves l added to Cousin Fan.
MES birthday gifts. They were
gloves that Aunt Rachel brought me
from New York several months ago
and they were quite too old-ladyist
for me. Aunt Rachel never doe.
make appropriate gifts.
The gloves were much more suit
able for Cousin Fannie than for me
Even il they are trifie snug for hel
l am sure she ought not to mind hay
ing her hands squeezed into sucl
really attractive gloves.
hope we shall have lot of fine
weather this fall, so l can get a grea
deal of use out of my parasol, Tn,
gold band engraved with my name Il
simply stunning.-Chicago News.