The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-02-13
Her
Disarrangiing
Plans

the vacant seat on the elevated train
beside a serene faced young woman.
81 suppose you also are bound on that
necessary errand. Don't you abso-
lutely dread Christmas shopping?"
Not In the least, you funny Josie
Graham" Mrs. Shaw answered with
a superior air, II don't believe In
rushing madly around at the eleventh
hour to select gifts that invariably
prove unsuitable and oftentimes are
unappreciated. I'm giving only to my
Sunday school class and the children
in the family. For the girls l have
made dainty little fancy things dur
ing the summer; for the children |
bought books away back in Septem'
Der. Today I'm going downtown to
lunch with a dear friend"
fortunate creature!" Mrs. Graham
sighed. enviously, another wrinkle
appearing in her forehead as she
opened her bag drew forth list and
hurriedly added another line Of
cramped writing. "I've just remem.
bered that | must get something for
the little girl next door. Last year
her mother sent the baby a book.
and. of course. she'll expect some.
thing for Betty this year"
Don't you think that Is wrong
conception Of the Christmas spirit,
giving because one gets?" Mrs. Shaw
asked. 81 never will be party to
such a mercenary arrangement"
1T doesn't seem quite right, but I
hate to hurt any ones feelings by
seeming to slight her." Mrs. Graham
replied, looking out of the window
anxiously. "Mercy! How this train
crawls. I know won't have time to
buy half the things on my list"
81 wish I 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 Christmas sentiment. You
know, that Is the custom abroad, and
1t is q very convenient and pretty
one"
''But I'd feel awfully embarrassed
on receiving gifts. especially II they
happened to be things I really want.
ed, knowing that I had sent the donor
merely a trifling card" Mrs. Graham
demurred. wouldn't you feel embar.
raised under similar circumstances? ?"
"Not in the least" Mrs. Shaw on.
swered, placidly.
Mrs. Graham looked dubious as she
removed a needle from the front OF
her shirt waist and picked a 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? l 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 Christmas gift"
'How sweet OF her!" Mrs. Shaw ex'
claimed delightedly. "And pink, too!
She knows that pink Is my favorite
color" A thoughtful look came into
her eyes.
At the next stop the two arose and
left the car together, parting when
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. Hell
calm appearance of the morning had
vanished and she was disheveled and
wild eyed.
IF 1t isn't tho laekiest thing Ia
meet you now!" Mrs. Shaw exclaimed
DO You think Mrs. Kemper would
like a lace handkerchief for a gift.
I've racked my brains and I cant
think Of another thing. There, that's
my bundle that dropped-all these
I are mine. l must have them made
into one. You never know wher
you'll get things II you have then
sent at this busy season.
But thought" began Mrs
Graham wonderingly.
something fine and exquisite, o.
course" Mrs. Shaw said. "She has
taken SO many love-stitches for me in
the pink shawl. By the way, I had q
delightful visit today with my friend
She brought me an exquisite center
piece, her own handiwork. I've Just
bought her dainty short silk XII
mono. I met Mrs. Horton after lef,
you; she said that Fanny had made
me the sweetest little Irish croche,
jabot: I Just love them. I got Fanny
q belt buckle-young girls love pretty
things.
ri think this IL the prettiest hand
kerchief. It Is the last thing I'm 60
ing to buy today. I'm completely worn
ont aren't yous I'm Roin1 fo ruu