The bee. (Earlington, Ky.) 1889-19??, 1909-01-07
A GIFT
FOR ALMA

eIor brother who had recently sur
prised his sister very much by becom
ing engaged TO be Married. y wish
you'd select an umbrella fof Alma
I found out the last time I visited her
that she needed one"
But Donald" protested his sister,
Il haven't the least idea what Alma
likes. It's rather dinicult 10 choose
things for one I've never seem"
well" said Donald. fatuously. fot
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 fancy border, which
the clerk assured her was siill very
stylish, though not quite the latest
touch.
II was so pretty aud attractive that
she felt sure Alma would be delighted
with It. 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 great many more points
OF difference than OF resemblance be-
tween the new sisters-ln-law Pretty
Alma was not at all like plain. prac.
tical Matte The latter could not
but marvel that her staid brother
could feel at home with such q pleas
ure-loying 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. II have not seen your
umbrella since we came. Do you know
where Il Is?" .g,
"No, l 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, think we didn't have II then,
Donald. Don't worry about Il 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 II
you can. That's ducky dear"
Dignified Donald ducky dearl Sis,
ter Matte gasped, but her brother
looked foolishly happy and went ODE
diently to the telephone in the next
room.
There" said Alma, confdentially,
when she and Matte were left alone
together. Il hope he'll forget about
that umbrella l said / hadn't the
slightest idea where II was and I
hadn't, because left It on the train
before we changed cars at Detroit, and
now II 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 j.
would lose It very soon. II was suoF
a disappointment when had let hin
know / wanted one, for him to bring
me a perfectly hideous thing. Poor
old Don is darling, but he HASN'T
any more taste than COW. has her
The idea OF his buying &at umbrella
with fancy border. or course, i
Just couldn't carry IL, could II"
mot II 1t did violence to your entire
nature. ! suppose" answered Matte,
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 surprise for you. Alma. Guess
what II Is"
"Oh, is it one OF those lovely brace
lets admired so much in New York;"
mo, IT'S nothing like that" said
Donald.
"An electric rnnabout? You know
I'm wild for little runabout"
I'VE could hardly afford an automo-
Bile. just now" said Donald. with gray
ty. You're guessing a little abQxe
he mark"
''Wsu, thes.er tickets for to-nighE
mo. you were TO the theater night
before last, and we decided not TO 90
more than once a week"
"You decided" corrected Alma. Il
never make hard and fast rules"
Wen, what do you think have
or your" persisted Donald. still in
ent on the pleasure OF the surprise
"A big box of chocolates2"
mo. you'll never guess. See here"
5e went into the hail and returned
bearing the lost UNI
,rolla. II telegraphed all over the
iountry until l traced H." he said.
"Oh" murmured Alma, duly.