The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1913-02-06
Her
Disarranging
Plans


| the vacant seat on the elevated train
beside a serene faced young woman.
| Il 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, Il 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 | have
| made dainty little fancy things dur.
| ing the summer: for the children l
| bought books away back in Septem.
Der. Today I'm going downtown to
| lunch with 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. 1--WE 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. Il never will be party to
| such a mercenary arrangement"
1T doesn't seem quite right. but
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
Il wish could persuade you to try
my plan," Mrs. Shaw said. "Outside
the children and the Sunday school
class not single soul will receive
anything from me but card express.
| ing a Christmas sentiment. You
know, that is the custom abroad, and
it is a very convenient and pretty
one
But I'd feel awfuly embarrassed
on receiving gifts, especially if they
happened to be things l really want
| ed, knowing that had sent the donor
merely triling card.' Mrs. Graham
demurred "Wouldnt you feel embar-
raised under similar circumstances?
''Not in the least" Mrs. Shaw an.
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 secret? I 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 herr" 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 handkerchief
counter she bumped elbows with Mrs.
Shaw, who was frantically inspecting
the contents Of various boxes. Her
calm appearance of the morning had
] vanished and she was disheveled and
wild eyed.
If It isn't tn, l.ckiest thing to
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 can't
taink of another thing. There, that's
my bundle that dropped-all these
are mine l must have them made
into one. You never know when
you'll get things If you have them
| sent at this busy season.
But I thought" began Mrs.
Graham wonderingly.
"something fine and exquisite, Of
course" Mrs. Shaw said. She has
taken so many lOFe'StlICE9S lot me Ill
the pink shawl BY the way, had a
! 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. l met Mrs. Horton after | left
you; she said that Fanny had made
me the sweetest little Irish crochet
jabot; I just love them. l got Fanny
a belt buckle-young girls love pretty
things.
81 think this is the prettiest hand
kerchief 1t is the last thing I'm go.
ing to buy today. I'm completely worn
out aren't you? I'm going to run
down again tomorrow and buy the
other gifts. I caught a glimpse of my
brother Jacks wife at the fancy work
counter matching cord to a pillow
top that ] know is for me; have
always openly admired hers. I think
I'll give Jenny and Jack piece of cut
glass; they are starting housekeep'