Cresco plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1913-1945, 1916-12-15
ROBINS
CHRISTMAS
GIFT
Dv CLARlSSA MACKlE

mr. quavered old Aunt Het
ty as she peered at the farm
er's almanac in her lap.
Eyes, Aunt Hetty." replied Robin.
stirring the orange pee, into the m'nce'
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. I'll see how feel.
Just give me my knitting, dearie.
must finish the parsons mufher."
Robin brought the knitting basket
overlooking with bright colored silks
and the half completed muff1er for the
young clergyman. Her blue eyes were
very bright.
Two years ago-it had been Christ
mas eve-the parson, young Anthony
Drake, had whispered to Robin that
there was a gift for her on the tree.
and something in his look and the
tone of his voice led Robin to believe
that In the shyly proffered gift lay the
expression of his love for her.
But the evening had passed unevent-
fully. The presents had all been dis
tributed from the tree, and, though
Robins name had been called a num-
Der Of times and she had gone up to
receive sundry mysteriously tied pack
ages. not one appeared to be from the
INT
Tended. She could scarcely believe that
Anthony would stoop to 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 a violent Irritation with
Ed Willis, the schoolteacher.
Il haven't been to Sunday school
Christmas tree for two years. muir.
INJURED Aunt Hetty. knitting vigorously.
II remember" said Robin quietly.
"You slipped down Oh the ice and
sprained your ankle that night"
"And sight of trouble it made me"
sighed Aunt Hetty. II remember
Just dumped all the things l got off
the tree into my workable drawer.
and there they are now-the popcorn
ball, as hard as a rock, and the orange.
shrunk to almost nothing. and a mess
Of little presents | never looked at.
was so upset."
"Ill take better care of you this
time" promised Robin.
"You won't want to be bothered with
an old woman, dear"
"vhC cct?" laughed Rchin cheertly.
Aunt Hetty flashed her queer
glance Il thought perhaps you were
going with Ed Willis"
Robin flushed warmly. I'm going
with you or not at ALL" she said firmly.
Aunt Hetty was silent for long
while, then she asked: You are going
to help Mr.. Drake trim the tree tomor-
row afternoon? Most Of the other girls
gre going"
"Perhaps so. There will be so many
they won't miss me-" said Robin, and
Aunt Hetty was quick to note the
tinge of bitterness in her tone.
"Mr. Drake always said you was his
star helper" said the old woman quiet
". "You got your pie crust NADER"
Eyes, indeed, auntie. I'm going to
fill nv pies now. lust taste this mince-
meat and tell me If it isn't almost as
good as you can make"
Aunt Hetty took the spoon and tast-
ed its contents. nodding her head ap-
prov;naly. "It's perfect, Robin. You've
done credit to my teaching. believe
your poor ma would say so If she was
alive. Don't forget to save your pref
test pie for the parson."
every WE'LL" said Robin patiently. al
! though her heart rebelled.
The Sunday school room was ablaze
with lights and a-glitter with refec-
lions from the tInsel decorated Christ
mas tree that stood on the platform.
EE,e., scu: -. 80 .oo11 ":.S ee...oo Wen
Aunt Hetty Treat limped up the aisle
leaning on Robins strong young arm.
Somebody gave up places in the front
'ow of chairs so that the late corners
might have seats, and then the organ
rang out "Hark, the Herald Angels
Sing:" while everybody stood up and
sang Justify.
Robin looked up from her book once
and noticed that Aunt Hetty was
whispering to Anthony Drake as she
slipped a package into his hand. Her
brief glance at his face surprised a
look of mingled establishment and dis
belief as he went back to his place on
| the platform.
There were prayer and more Christ
mas carols. and then Parson Drake
came forward and announced that the
distribution of gifts would take place.
II would like to add''-he hesitated,
his eyes fixed ON the clock in the rear
Of the room-"that there will be one
gift on the tree tonight which has been
delayed two years in reaching its prop
er recipient 1t was given by mistake
| - ooklor porCor u,h1 q r