Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1909-04-09
A GIFT
FOR ALMA


prised his sister very much by becom-
ing engaged to be married Il wish
you'd select an umbrella for Alma.
found out the last time l visited her
that she needed one"
But Donald" protested his sister,
81 haven't the least idea what Alma
likes. It's rather difficult to choose
things for one I've never SEEM
We'll" said Donald, fatuously, for
he was very much in love, your
tastes and hers must be a good deal
alike, for you both seem to like me-"
Sister Matte shifted rather con-
temptuously, but made no further OBJ
lection to the task imposed upon her.
She shopped painstakingly and finally
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 not quite the latest
touch.
1t was so pretty and attractive that
she felt sure Alma would be delighted
with it. She knew she would be her
self Notwithstanding her pretended
scorn, Donalds 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-inlaw. 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-loving creature. Still, the same
personal charm that had attracted him
won her heart also and she gave the
! little bride a warm welcome.
Alma" said Donald the day after
their arrival, 81 have not seen your
umbrella since we came. Do you know
where it is?"
mo, | haven't the slightest idea,"
answered Alma, with no concern what
ever in her soft voice.
do you remember whether we had
it in the cab when We came up from
the station?"
mo, l think we didn't have it then,
Donald. Don't worry about it now,
for you know you promised to take
Matte and me out in the parks.
Don't you think you ought to be tele-
! phOning for a carriage or an auto
mobile? Do get an automobile if
you can. That's a ducky dear"
Dignified Donald a ducky dear! Sis
ter Matte gasped, but her brother
looked foolishly happy and went ODE
diently to the telephone in the next
room.
There" said Alma, confidentially,
when she and Matte were left alone
together, II hope he'll forget about
that umbrella. l said l hadn't the
slightest idea where it was and l
| hadn't, because | left it on the train
before we changed cars at Detroit, and
now it may be travelling all around the
east looking for its unfortunate owner.
| made up my mind the minute Don
aid gave me that umbrella that l
would lose it very soon. 1t was such
a disappointment when | had let him
know | wanted one, for him to bring
me a perfectly hideous thing. Poor
old Don is a darling, but he hasn't
any more taste than a COW, has he?
The idea of his buying that umbrella
with fancy border. OF course, |
! just couldn't carry it, could II"
mot if it did violence to your entire
nature, l suppose" answered Matte,
thinking with some grimness of the
weary hours she had passed shopping
for that offending article.
A week later Donald came in beam
ing one afternoon and saying: I've
got a surprise for you, Alma. Guess
what it is"
oh is it one of those lovely brace,
lets l admired so much in New York;"
mo, it's nothing like that" said
Donald.
IAN electric runabout? You know
I'm wild for little runabout."
1--WE could hardly afford an automo.
bile, just now" said Donald, with gray
tty. You're guessing a little above
the mark"
We'll, theater tickets for tonight"
mo, you were to the theater night
before last, and we decided not to go
more than once a week"
You decided" corrected Alma. 81
never make hard and fast rules"
well, what do you think l have
for your persisted Donald, still in
tent on the pleasure of the surprise.
"A big box of chocolates ?"
mo, you'll never guess. See here"
He went into the hall and returned
triumphantly bearing the lost UNI
brella. Il telegraphed all over the
country until l traced it," he said.
oh murmured Alma, DULY.
Matte, who rarely laughs, aston.
ished her brother by her merriment.