Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1916-12-14
ROBINS
CHRISTMAS
GIFT
BY CLARISSA MACKIE

/ Copyright, 1916. by American Press AS
ISOLATION.
""wo days TO Christmas, eh. Rob
inY quavered old Aunt Het
~ as she peered at the farm
ers almanac In her lap
Yes. Aunt Hetty," replied Robin
stirring the orange peel into the mince
meat with vigorous. strokes of her
strong young arms.
when is the Sunday school tree?"
Tomorrow night ] wish you felt
like going. Aunt Hetty You would en-.
Joy the singing and the lights and see
ing the people.
Maybe So dear. III see how l feel
Just give me my knitting. dearie.
must finish the parsons muller
Robin brought the knitting basket
overfowing with bright colored silks
and tho half completed muller for the
young clergyman Her blue eyes were
rery bright
Two years ago it had been Christ.
mas the parson. young Anthony
Drake, had whispered 10 Robin that
there was a gift for her on the tree
and something IN his look ana the
tome OF lis voice led Robin TO believe
that IN the shyly profrered gift lay the
expression of his love for her
But the evening had passed unevent
fully. The presents had an been dis
trihuted from the tree. and though
Robins name had been called q mum
Der OF times and she had gone up "a
receive sundry mysteriously tied pack
ages. not one appeared to be from the
young minister Robin was deeply Of
Tended. She could scarcely believe that
Anthony would stoop 10 jest with her
upon such a tender subject as their
newly awakened love for each other
but when she found that he avoided her
and that his manner grew cold and dis
tant Robin shrugged her pretty shoul
ders and began violent Irritation with
Ed Willis. the schooiteacher
Il haven't been TO a Sunday school
Christmas tree for two years" muir.
INJURED Aunt Hetty, knitting vigorously
Il remember" said Robin quietly
"You slipped down Oh the Ice and
spralned your ankle that night.
and "A sight Of trouble It made me. 20
sighed Aunt Hetty Il remember /
just dumped an the things / got off
the tree into my workable drawer
and there they are now-the popcorn
bail, as hard rs rock. and the orange.
shrunk to almost nothing, ana mess
OF little presents never looked at
was SO upset"
"I'n take Better care Of YOU this
time. promised Robin
"NOu won't want 90 be bothered with
an old woman dear"
"Why not laughed Robin cheerily
Aunt Hctty flashed her queer
glance ii thought perhaps Won were
going with ia Willis"
Robin flushed warmly I'm going
with YOU or NOT ut an. she said FIRMLY
Aunt Hetty was silent FOR long
while, then SHE asked "You are going
70 help Mr. Drake trim The tree tomor
row afternoon Most 81 The other girls
are going
Perhaps $50 There viii be So many
they won't miss mo said Robin. and
Aunt Hetty was quick TO note tho
tinpe az bitterness I'm her tone
mir Drake always said YOU was Ills
star helper" said tie old woman quiet
". you got your pie crust nader"
eyes indeed auntie I'm going to
I'm my pics now lust taste this mincc
meat and tell me If II isn't almost as
good as YOU can make
Aunt Hetiy took the spoon and tasi
ed rs contents nodding her head az.
nrovinglv Its perfect Robin. You've
done credit to my teaching I believe
your poor ma would say so II she wa
alive Don't forget 10 save your pref
Hest pie for the parson"
every we'll said Robin patiently. al
though her heart rebelled
The SUNDAY school room was abiaze
with lights and a-rlitter with rede5
lions from The tinsel decorated Christ
mas tree chat stood on the platform
Every sent in Tie room was flied whet
Aunt Hctr Treat limped up the aisle
leanin on Robins strong young arm
Somebody cave up places IN the front
row Of chairs go that the late conner