The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-12-30
HE CHOSE
A GIFT

-
Your present kas been so much adj
mired,' said Miss Emerson. dangling
a silver purse from one finger and re-
garding it affectionately.
Young Jetson looked prodigiously
pleased. You don't say So" he re-
marked, beaming first on the young
woman and then on the gift which
had proved so acceptable.
"Of course" said Miss Emerson,
looking somewhat embarrassed and
trifling with the silver meshed toy. "of
course, you understand that l am not
In the habit of accepting such hand
some birthday presents from my men
friends. 1t is-that is. my married
sister says 1t is-awfully bad form
and oughtnt to be allowed"
Young Jetson frowned. ITS fun
ny thing" he began, haughtily.
Eyes. indeed, that's just what l told
her." interjected Miss Emerson 81
told her that with ones old friends 1t
was quite different-almost like broth.
er and sister, you know"
Jetson's frown deepened.
and, besides" she added. looking
at him with an independent tilt of her
chin. Il know just as much about it as
she does"
Certainly you do" agreed Jetson.
II should have been very hurt II
you had not been willing to accept a
trivial token of esteem from me on
your birthday" he went on More
over" he said. crossing one leg com
fortably over the other in placid recol
,, lection Of past struggle, I'm no end
grateful to you for liking it. You see
we'll, to tell the truth. I'd heard you
express yourself to the effect that a
gift was not a gift unless it was per
sonally chosen by the giver for the
givee"
Miss Emerson nodded emphatically
And" continued young Jetson, III
fellow sends a girl the usual flow
ers or candy he doesn't exercise any
particular niceties Of taste: do you
think he does? He simply dives In
at the florists door and tells him to
send a dozen long ones to a given
address, and then he rushes back to
his desk When he wants to get
candy he sends the office boy. That
is still worse. And nobody but an
imbecile sends books to girl with
out knowing her taste"
81 should think" remarked Miss
Emerson. raising her eyebrows a
fraction OF a shade. that you might
be tolerably familiar with mine"
ooh, certainly" agreed young Jet
son, hastily. 81 am indeed; but. you
see. on this occasion wanted to give
you something that would prove tc
you that | had gone to personal trou
BILE in selecting a remembrance"
Really" said Miss Emerson. grow
ing chillier each moment. Il regret
| that | was the cause of so much in
| convenience You seem to have beer
positively agitated in the matter"
Naturally, ! was" he retorted, get
ting to his feet and regarding hei
sternly from his superior height, 'con
sidering that | never really selected
a present for a girl before"
He thrust his hands into his peck
| cts and continued to glare She BIT
| her lip In a vain effort to repress q
! smile
81 was looking for something use
| full" went on .Jetson Il didn't sup
pose you would care for yard OF
copper neckchain, or an engraved pie
knife, or hand painted umbrella
Why not an umbrella urged one
| salesman who was wasting time on
me Umbrellas are always useful
My dear sir | said to him, q
should prefer to hold my own umbrel
la over this particular young lady
Besides, why buy an umbrella? Ev
cry household has a private collec
ton
The man sighed. Get her gold
pencil he suggested next"
Miss Emerson glanced up with a
very special smile.
But / told him." went on Jetson
that she usually borrowed mine
Try again said to him"
Jetson coughed gently, and there
was a pause "He was a most dis
corning fellow, that salesman" he re