The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1912-02-19
Her
-. .
Disarrangiing
Plans

1 suppose you also are bouhu WI 'i"s
necessary errand. Don't you abso-
lutely dread Christmas shopping
Not in the least. you funny Josie
Graham Mrs. Shaw answered with
superior air. Il don't believe IN
rushing madly around at'the eleventh
hour to select gifts that invariably
prove unsuitable and ofentfmes are
unappreeiated. I'm giving only to my
Sunday school class and the children
In the family. For the girls nave
made dainty little fancy things dur
ing the summer: for the children
bought books away back in Septem'
Der, Today I'm going downtown 70
lunch with q dear friend"
fortunate creature" Mrs. Graham
sighed, obviously, another wrinkle
appearing In her forehead as she
opened her bag, drew torth.a list and
hurriedly added another line of
cramned writing. eve just remem-
bsred that | must, get something for
the little girl next door. Last year
her mother sent the baby book.
and, OF course. she'll expect some
thing for Betty Sthis year"
Don't you mink that is wrong
conception OFT the Christmas spirit,
giving because one gets?" Mrs. Shaw
asked. II never will be a party to
such megcensry arrangement.
1T doesn't seem quite right, hut !
hate to hurt any ones feelings by
seeming to slight her" Mrs. Graham
replied. looking om OF the window
anxiously Mercy How this train
crawls, l know won't have time to
buy half the things on my list"
II wishI could persuade you to try
my plan Mrs. Shaw said. Outside
the children and the Sunday school
class not a single soul will receive
anything from me but card express;
ing q Christmas sentiment. You
know, that Is the custom abroad, and
IT is a very convenient and pretty
one"
But I'd feel awfully embarrassed
ON receiving gifts, especially II they
happened to be things | really want
/ ed, knowing that had sent the donor
merely a trifling card" Mrs. Graham
demrred Wouldn't you feel embar-
rassed under similar circumstances q
met In the least" Mrs. Shaw an
swered., placidly.
Mrs Graham looked dubious as abe
removed a needle from the front oil
her shirt waist and picked strand
OF red silk thread from her skirt. III
one could only make up ones mind
TO begin ones Christmas work early
| in the year." she unused. Some OF
| my friends did and That reminds
me; can you keep a secret? can't
I'm afraid, When we were at the
lake last summer Mrs. Kemper knit
you the most exquisite pale pink
porch shawl for a Christmas gift"
"Eiow sweet of her!"', Mrs. Shaw ex
claimed dellghtedly. "And pink, too!
She knows that pink Is my tayorite
color" A thoughtful look came into
her eyes.
| AT the next stop the two arose ant
left the car together, parting wher
they reached the sidewalk.
Late In the afternoon when Mrs
| Graham paused beside a handkerchief
| counter she bumped elbows with Mrs
| Shaw, who was frantically inspecting
the contents OF various boxes. Hel
calm appearance OF the morning hac
vanished and she was disheveled ant
Wild eyed.
"lf 1t isn't tho ltckiest thing t.
meet, you now!" Mrs. Shaw exclaimed
do you think Mrs. Kemper woult
like lace handkerchief for gift
I've racked my brains and can
tatnk OF another thing. There, that's
my bundle that dropped--all these
are mine. must have them made
into one You never know wher
| you'll get things IL you have then
sent at this busy season.
But / thought" began Mrs
| Graham wonderingly.
Something fine and exquisite, o
course" Mrs. Shaw said. "She hal
taken 30 many love-stitches for me II
the pink shawl. BY the way, had |
delightful visit today with my friend
She brought me an exquisite center
piece, her own handiwork. I've JUS
bought her dainty short silk XII
mono. I met Mrs. Horton after lief
| you: she said that Fanny had made
ME the sweetest little Irish croche
| jabot: I just love them. got Fanny
a belt buckle-young girls love PRETTY
| things.
II think this Is the prettiest hand
kerchief 1t is the last thing I'm go
ing to buy today. I'm completely worr
out, aren't you? Pm going to rur
down again tomorrow and buy thu
4 other gifts Il caught glimpse OF m,
brother Jacks wife at the fancy worl
counFr matching cord to a pillow
top that I know is for me; have
always openly admired hers. | thinl
m give Jenny and Jack piece OF Gu
glass; they are starting housekeep
Ing, you know"
Haven't your Christmas plans be
come little disarranged. my dear 2
Mrs. Graham asked, unkindly. tit