Monroe City Democrat. (Monroe City, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1909-01-21
A GIFT
FOR ALMA


ing engaged to be married. II wish
you'd select an umbrella for Alma.
/ found out the last time ! visited her
that she needed one"
But Donald" protested his sister,
II haven't the least idea what Alma
likes. It's rather difficult to choose
things for one I've never SEEN"
We'll" said Donald, fatuousiy, for
he was very much In love, your
tastes and hers must be q good deal
alike, for you both seem to like me-"
Sister Matte shifted rather con-
tcmptuously, but made no further OBJ
lection to the task imposed upon her
She shopped painstakingly and finally
bought a handsoI. 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.
1t was so pretty and attractive that
she felt sure Alma would be delighted
with 1t. She knew she would be her
self Notwithstanding her pretended
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 q 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-loving creature. Still, the same
personal charm that had attracted him
won her heart also and she gave the
little bride warm welcome.
Alma" said Donald the day after
their arrival, II 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, think we didn't have 1t 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 q carriage or an auto
mobile? Do get an automobile If
you can. That's a ducky dear"
Dignifed Donald ducky dear! Sis
ter Matte gasped, but her brother
looked foolishly happy and went ODE
diertly to TIE telephone in the next
room.
There" SID Alma, confldentlally,
when she ard Matte were left alone
together, Il bore he'll forget about
that umbrella. | said / hadn't the
slightest idea where 1t was and l
hadn't, because l left 1t on the train
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
would lose 1t very soon. 1t was such
a disappointment when ! had let him
know l wanted one. for him to bring
me 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. or course,
just couldn't carry 1t, could II"
mot II 1t did violence to your entire
nature, 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 surprise for you. Alma. Guess
what II is"
"Oh, is 1t one Of those lovely brace
lets admired % much in New York;"
mo. It's nothing like that" said
Donald.
IAN electric runabout? You know
I'm wild for little runabout"
I'VE could hardly afford an automo-
bile, Just now" said Donald, with gray.
ity. you're guessing a little above
the mark"
well, theater tickets for tonight"
NO. you we're to the theater night
before last, and we decided not 70 go
more than once q week"
"You decided" corrected Alma. IL
never make hard and fast rules"
"Well, what do you think I 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
IL L.