The bee., 1909-01-14
A GIFT
FOR ALMA

you'd select an umbrella for Alma
! found out the last time visited her
that she needed one"
But Donald" protested his sister,
81 haven't the least idea what Almul
likes It's rather difficult to cBoosa
things for one I've never seen"
We'll" said Donald fatuously. for
he was very much I'm love. you'll
tastes and hers must be a good deal
alike, for you both seem to like me
Sister Matte smiled rather conf
temptuously, but made no further OBJ
lection to the task imposed upon her
She shopped painstakingly and nnallyl
bought a handsome black silk UNI
brella, which was slightly reduced In
price owing to a fancy border which
the clerk assured her was still very
stylish, though no. quite the latest
touch.
II was so pretty and attractive that
she felt sure Alma would be delighted
with II. She knew she would be her.
self Notwithstanding her pretended
scorn. Donald's remark that she and
Alma must be a good deal alike had
given her a pleasant impression that
perhaps their tastes might be sim
liar.
When Donald brought his wife home
after a brief wedding trip his sister
awoke very quickly to the fact that
there were a great many more points
Of difference than OF resemblance be-
tween the new sisters-in-law. Pretty
Alma was not at all like plain, prac-
teal Matte. The latter could not
but marvel that her staid brother
could feel at home with such a pleas
ure-lovlng creature. Sull, the same
personal charm that had attracted him
won her heart also and she gave tho
little bride a warm welcome.
Alma" said Donald the day after
their arrival. Il have not seen your
umbrella since we came. Do you know
where It ISL"
mo, haven't the slightest idea"
answered Alma. with no concern what
ever in her soft voice.
do you remember whether We had
II in the cab when we came up from ,
the staJon?"
mo, think we didn't have II then,
Donald. Don't worry about II now.
for you know you promised TO take
Matte and me out In the parks.
Don't you think you ought 10 be telo-
phoning for a carriage or an auto !.
Do get an automobile IL
you can. That's a ducly dear"
Dignifed Donald a ducky dearl Sis.
Ter Matte gasped. but her brother
ooked foolishly happy and went ODE
iiently to the telephone In the next :
'oom.
There" said Alma, conhdentially,
when she and Matte were left alone
II hope he'll forget about .
hat umbrella said hadn't the
slightest idea where 1t was aud |
ladp't, because left It on the train
'efoie we changed cars at Detroit. and
low ie,may be travelling all around the
asst looking for its unfortunate owner.
made blp my mind the minute Don
Id gave me that umbrella that
would losa It very soon. It was such
disappointment when had let him
now waited one, for him to bring
ne a perfectly hideous thing. Poor
Id Don is D darling, but he hasn't
ny more taste than a COW, has her
he idea OF his buying bat umbrella
nth fancy border. or course,
nst couldn't carry It, could IL"
mot IL It did violence TO your entire
AZURE. suppose" answered Matte.
with some grlmness OF the
Teary hours she had passed shopping
,r that offending article.
A week later Donald came in beam
ig one afternoon and saying: "rve
OF a surprise for you, Alma. Guess
hat 1t is"
"Oh. is it one OF those lovely brace
It's admired so much in New York;"
mo, it's nothing like that" said
onald.
can electric runabout? You know
m wild for little Funabout."
I'VE could hardly afford an automo-
lie, just now" said D8uald. with grav-
y, You're guesshgl little above
10 mark"
well, theater tickets for tonight"
mo. you were to the theater night
sfore last, and we decided not to gol =
ore than once a week.
You decided" corrected Alma. m
over make hard and fast rules"
Well. what do you think / have
r yOu?" persisted Donald, still in
ut on the pleasure OF the surprise.
"A big box of chocolates ??
mo, you'll never guess. See here"
o went into the hall an ID returned
bearing the lost UNI
ella II telegraphed all over thel
unTy until l traced t." be said
"Oh" murmured Alma, duly.
Matte. who rarely laughs, aston
he'd her brother by her msrriment.