The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-21
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 Find Cbslstmas Sbu7f Rambant
Bettina and T. Our Amusement Learn That Fashions in Christmas Trees Have Changed Christmas at the
 Candy Shops-Lovey Romance Hidden in Box.
BY DOLLY DALRYMPLE.

suggested Bettina, who Las spent many of the past few years in New York.
 Well, the Cliff Dwellers don't rule the world.' I answered. And I don't see why Christmas trees must be so in fantile that they have to be housed up in teenchy, tiny, little flower pots.'
 And as we commented. upon the change of fashions in Christmas trees we saun- tered leisurely out, Bettina buying pretty sprig of nistletoe, for some pur- pose which she refused to conf1de in me. her nearest, best and most intimate friend.
 Let's go to candy shop." said joyously, as we breathed the glorious air once more.
 "Do you think we'll find the Christmas spirit there?" queried Bettina-
 "Of course," responded l, and thither we went.
 As we entered the prsttily decorated shop where hundreds of people were clamoring to be waited on" we es- pied one very pompous end important looking gentleman wearing a high hat and a fur overcoat looking for all the
 
 liam H. Claverham," or some other perfectly good actorine, when I punched Bettina and said
 "Look-hes ordered three boxes of candy without even inquiring the price,"
 That's prima facie evidence that he Is bloated bondholder," said Bettina haughtily.
 The clerk wrote down the addresses and assured him tAet the packages would be delivered on Christmas eve. "There is something to go in one of the boxes," said he of the high hat and fur overooat And so saying, he took from his pock- ct a small white box and carefully opened the prettiest of the candy boxes which was laden with sugar and spice and everything nice. The clerk placed the aforesaid little box in the aforesaid big box and the actorine or bondholder or policeman or whatever he happened to be. picked up his cane. adjusted his light gloves and jumped into taxicab which had been waiting for him at the door all the time (another indication that he was mill lionaire).
 Such a lovely opportunity for a good story spoiled" I said with the proper newspaper instinct ''Now, If he had only left the depositing of that soli- taire to the clerk he of course would have put 1t in the wrong box and MT Fur overceat and High Hat would have walked up Christmas morning to find F.. I,I You are mistaken" said the practical clerk as he overheard our conversation. I've have dozens of packages like that may say hundreds-to put in candy boxes every Christmas and we never
 make mistake" 'Tnfallible candy man." exclaimed Bet tina sarcastically. 1 ''We have a pearl necklace to be sent l by us that way.' said he pompously, whom. by the way, we have orders for | 35 pounds of candy" "All together or one at timer" said Bettina inquisitively. Think of her complexion, I said de- ploringly.
 "And think of the pearl necklaces and
 diamond tiaras and La vallieries we
 may have eaten up in candy,'' said Bet 1 tina as we heard the clerks story | well if were a man and had a solitaire or anything like that to give a girl I'd certainly take 1t to her my | self and not be scared cat and send
 1t surreptitiously," she continued.
 silly" said as I pulled her am and dragged her away from the candy shop.
 That's the delicate way of the modern l cavalier"
 Well, like the good old fashioned 1 kind,'' said Bettina, as we once more l joined the happy Christmas crowd in the streets.