South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-03-12

TO look for the present. She almost
wore herself out walking through q
big department store before she final
~ decided on a small travelling eight
day clock in a leather case.
When Warren came home that
evening she showed il TO him. a litGe
doubtful Of his approval.
why, that's bully-just the thing.
Much better to get something sensible
like that than some foolish gewgaws
But 1 still don't like the idea of lying
about IL. Why not tell the truth TO
mother-that / forgot to get anything
out there so got il here2"
oh, no, l wouldn't do that-she
wouldn't appreciate ii so much. Just
say you brought it for her--and she'll
think of course, you got 1t on your
trip"
a Harmless Efb".
Huh. / don't see much difference
between telling a lie and acting one.
But all right-we'H let it go at that"
Helen flushed She knew that in
small things she was not so brutally
truthful as Warren. She could never
quite see why it was not excusable to
tell a harmless lib if it saved some
ones feelings.
Now, we don't want to fool around
here too long-I 'phoned mother we'd
be up there about eight. You'd better
be getting ready"
All the way up in the subway Helen
kept dreading the call and wondering
what il would be like. She hoped
some of the rest of the family would
be there-it would be much less en-
barraSsing.
But Mrs. Curtis was alone. She
greeted Warren cordially, and Helen
with prim formality. But Warren
few moments by plunging at once into
an account Of his trip.
Helen was sitting in low, straight
chair by the window She had taken
il nervously. and now found she was
most uncomfortable. II was very low
and had no arms, and she felt curious
" awkward and conscious of her
hands. which added to her confusion.
She took up a magazine from a near
by table Just to have something to
hold. She had hardly spoken since
she entered. but she knew that Mrs
Curtis was observing her.
"Oh, here mother, here's a little re-
membrance 1 brought YOU" said War
rem, drawing the package from his
pocket.
Mrs. Curtis opened it and took out
the tiny travelling clock.
ooh, how thoughtful of you! That's
something 1 always wanted"
And it runs eight days, mother,
that's the best part of it."
"Oh, il does" deliL htfully, eXamin-
ing the back Of it. And IL has an
alarm. too, But where's the key?'
1.-The key" repeated Warren. Isn't
it in the box
But a search of the box. the tissue
paper and the clock failed to reveal
why, didn't they give you key
with il. Helen?' demanded Warren
thoughtlessly.
There was a dead silence. Helen
flushed holly as she nervously turned
the pages of the magazine.
"Oh, then, you didn't bring this with
Won ?" asked Mrs. Curtis stiffiy
Warren laughed. a little disconcert-
ed. ITO tell the truth, mother, 1 was
so rushed the week / left. that l Just
forgot to get you anything. So Helen
got this here"
ooh. 1 see" more coldly. Well
I'm sure il was very nice OF her
And then as she rose to put the
clock on the table something fell
changing to the floor.
"Oh. here's the key" as Warren
stopped TO pick it up. 1T must have
dropped out when you opened the
Mrs. Curtis rat the key inside the
clock on the Ia lie and then returned
20 her chair with a stiff nod.
I'm sure it will be a very useful
present, and l am very much obliged
to you both"
After that. although nothing more
was said about it, even Warren seem
ed slightly constrained. And they
left rather early.
Now, that's what you get by acting
a lie" he began when they reached
the street
But. dear, 1 only did it for her-so
she wouldn't think you'd forgotten
her"
well. it never pays TO lie about
ANYTHING. And you've got to have
darned sight better memory. than |
have to get away with it successfully"
"Oh. dear, l wouldn't call that a
lie. that was such a harmless little
yes, you dodge the truth when
ever il suits you and call it harmless
fbs'. Well. anything that's not the
truth is a lie. There's nothing be-
tween. And the next time you in
veigle me into a scrape like tonight
you'll know it."