The daily Alaskan., 1912-12-17
A CHRISTMAS
 A LA MODE,

TT T was Rose Marie who, marking
 the day of my last visit on the
 calendar. made the discovery
 that was to belong to father on Christmas day.
 This may sound a bit confusing, for most little girls belong equally to their parents, but I, winette Warrington, don't Ever since can remember mother has lived In our nice apart ment in Central Park West and fa' ther has lived down in the Fifdes' lust or the avenue. And belong to mother year in and year out, except ing three days ln each month, and Tor these three days belong to father,
 When Rose Marie made the discoV- cry that my next visit to Flfty-some- thing street would fall upon the 2oth of December she was quite ready to cry her little black eyes out
 Father sent the brougham on the morning of the 24th.
 Billie. Billie, dearT' cried mother clasplng me tightly In her arms when she caught sight of the carriage which was to take me away,
 Don't you want me to go, motherF l asked little unsteadlly.
 "Want you to gor she cried. Then she hesltated and added. very calm and self possessed: "Of course ] al- ways want you with me, Billie, dear, but then so does your father want you, and for the next three days you be long to him. So want you to go.
 But now-and tomorrow Christmas davl Oh. mother, won't l see you to- morrow-wou't | see you on Christmas day?" cried, cHnging fast to her pretty gown
 I'm afraid not, sweetheart" she said gently.
 But want you-I want you, moth CT on Christmas day of all days in the year." ! said.
 But don't you want your father, too. Billie. dearg" she asked. "Oh, ] know you do-you must! So run along. dear little girl run-quickly!
 She let me go and pushed me gently from her, and ! knew by the smile ln her biz brown eyes that the tears were very near.
 Father was waiting for me on the steps of the CordOva, and when he saw the brOugham halt under the marouise and just one little girl step out his face went an a-grln, and be picked me up and kissed me,
 "Weu, well. well! Where's Rose Marieg' he asked. and then ! told him she had stopped at home.
 | wish you could see fathers rooms In the Cordova. They are ever so nice, with dark walls and gay rugs and big, substantial looking furniture. There's an open fireplace and a huge old settle with DO end ot red cushions in his den, and it is here we sit Of an evening, side by side. and talk until bedtime.
 After we had gone up iu the elevator to fathers apartment be turned to mo and asked me about the days pro gram.
 "I'd like to go down to the shops aft CT luncheon" told him promptly.
 Good! Jolly, And suppose we go down to one of the more quiet of the biz hotels and lunch there," he said.
 He always does think of the very incest things! A big hotel dOwntowLl
 After luncheon we entered our han. som again and were driven away Co one of the big shops, where, as father put 1t, one can buy everything from a collar button to a steam launch. Rose Marie says men do not like shopping, but. then, Rose Marie doesn't know everything in the world, and father and | had a beautiful time. We bought an sorts of gifts for just every body, and father didn't look while ! selected his present and l didn't look while he selected mine
 "Now," | said, as we came out of the department store, "I want to buy mothers gift"
 "Why, of course," said father hur- riedIy. What do you want7 Where do you want to gO2 Tll tell the cab by"
 oT haven't decided what to get" | said slowly What do you thinkf Can't you suggest something, fathery'
 He shook his head "I'm afraid | can't Bulie," he told me quietly. "Get