El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1912-12-27

looked hurriedly through the lower
drawer of the desk ana drew out a
small leather covered notebook, Lets
see. Yes, last Christmas We gave your
mother d handbag, and the year be-
fore a reading lamp. Oh, 1 wish We
could think OF something as SOod as
those"
-How about something for the table
a piece of cut glass;
"Oh, cut glass is getting so common,
and they initiate il now so you can
hadrly tell the difference
I've got it-a thermOs bottle! Moth
er always wants a pitcher of ice water
by her bed. and thatn keep cold all
night" ..,
sigh of relief Helen wrote down "Ther-
mos bottle" opposite Mrs. Curtis's name.
Nov your father. It's always so hard
to get anything for him.
"COnfOunded Nuisance"
How about a good UMBRELLA
Isn't that what we gave him year
before last? Yes" consulting the note
book, and last year pair of military
brushes"
Warren frowned thoughtfully. IT'S
a COMPOUNDED nuisance. L suppose we Il
have to make a few gifts to the family.
but outside of that there's nothing do
ing. Understand We're going to cut
it short this Christmas. It's hard
enough to think of things for your
own folks. but III be blamed If were
going to rack our grains and spend
But as this was What Warren said
every year, Helen was not alarmed
She knew there were presents outside
of the family that they would have to
Then. with a sudden inspiration,
Dear. wouldn't a bathrobe be nice
fer your father
Seems to me mother gave him one
his last birthday. I'd better get him
a box of good cigars. He'd rather have
that than any of your frill-fralls- NOW
that's settled. Who's neNtE
Frank, Warren's younger brother
was the next name on the list.
Give him the bathrObe, Warren
suggested.
much for Franks present. Yentureo
Helen. Lets look over the evening
paper. Here's something suitable
gifts for men:
- Sweaters, suspenders, neektles.
bathrobes, pajamas, wallets, cur Dut,
tons, shaving sets. travelling slippers
wouldn't those travelling slippers be
nice? They fold up and take very lit
They'll be all right" agreed War
rem He wears about the same size
4 Difficult Task
Now what shall we get for Carrier
For over year there had Deen
slight feeling between Helen and War
ren's married sister. which made the
selection of her present even more ar
ficuIt.
'Su bScribe for ma SaZlne, that
good safe present"
.Oh, but that isn't enough for her.
7 thought we ought to put az least
81 or IS in her present, or she'll thlnk
wouldn't let you get anything good
She always thinks I'm mercenary-
Nonsense, you only imagine that
Carries all right It's you who're so
stiff and stand-offlsh with her- NO
1aE al
'''Why. Warren, you know I never
quarreled with her in my life more
Indignantly.
oh well. you've got some sort OF
grievance. and YOU air it whenever
YOU get a chance
Helen flushed. but she picked up the
paper again and said quietly
Let's look through here and see II
We can't find something for her
Suppose YOU want to give her some
thing thatu make a show with a
7 don't want to give her anything
that looks cheap. You know, she gave
us that sterling silver cheese knlfe
last year I'd like to get something
"0b. wouldn't this be nice for Car
RE? 'Woman's Morocco mUff or en-
veIope purse, silk lined, fitted with
change purse and mirror. regular
price IS: at $3.50. Do you think that
How do know? Go down town and
see what looks the most for your mon
ey. That's what you want isn't II
contemptuously, as he turned back 10
@Oh. aren't you going to help me
with the others? pleaded Helen, hold
ing up long list of names
What's that2 You don't mean TO say
you're going to give presents to all
Cutting Down the List.
why, yes, dear; they'll all give us
something I've gone over it again and
again- and there isn't one I can cross
wen. I can. Give it hereI' He
scowled over the list for several mo-
ments. Mrs. Kimball," holding his
pencil ready to draw through the name.
what have you got her down fOr2'
why, dear, she gave me that lovely
center piece last Christmas II must
have cost at least So or 50, and know
she'll give us something else this year
"Ugi.T7 with a deepening scOwl. but
not crossing out the name w nat ABOUT
Katherine Gregg No reason under the
sun why you've got to get anything for
why. yes, she gave US that book
rest. Don't you remember?
"Oh. hang it ALL throwing down the /
list. Get what you've got to get. but
for Heavens sake don't bother me
about it! Tn sick of the whole thing"
Paying Obligations.
Helen sat broodlng over her Christ
mas list She. too. had a feeling of re-
yulsion for il all. Warren was right.
her standpoint was sordid-the giving
IF presents only to return the Obliga-
ion of those given you.
Reluctantly she drew the list toward
her There were still the rest OF his
amily, her own, and more than doz-
IN friends Yet, with the exception of a |
lew children, there was hardly one
lame on the list to whom the giving
II a Christmas present would mean
lnything more than a duty or obliga-
ion. And. although she would not ad-
nit it even to herself-tO over half of |
hat list she would give begTudgingly |
esentfuI of the time and money spent /
II Christmas might only mean one |
lay of rest and relaxation instead Of /
weeks of added work, worry and ex. /
ensei
PREMIER PoINCARE OF FRANCE