Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-12-28
Christm as Git is
Astrdy
Frances Harmer.

hooked at each OtNer as Ln6y met, anu
never very kindly. Susie, entering OF
leaving the office Of Blair & Farrell
where she was a photographer, find
ing her first position hard, would look
almost resentfully at Edna, calling fol
her father, DR.. Bright, whose office
faced the Blair & Farrell Office.
81 don't like the look of that girl
Edna said sometimes to her father as
she skilfully steered the little electric
car. she has such a frown."
81 haven't noticed it," her father
would reply.
II don't like that GIRL Susie would
confide to her mother and sister
when, tired, perhaps from hanging to
a strap, she entered the shabby little
apartment where her mother and an
invalid sister made home for her
''She's always 50 beautifully dressed
and so superior looking"
We'll, she isn't superior" Carrie
would say lovingly.
They had-but they did not know it
"a mutual friend. Edna's godmother
Mrs. Oswald Gray, was the widow OF
Susie's fathers one-time employer.
Mrs. Gray kept up a kindly habit OF
sending the youngest Wostover child
little gift every Christmas. 1t was
always very useful gift.
Oddly enough. out of some fifty pur-
chases made by Mrs. Gray at one big
department store, these two went
astray!
Christmas was cold. bright. snowy.
Edna Bright, singing Christmas carol
as she came down the stairs, was met
with affectionate interest by her faith
er and mother, her elder sister Grace,
and her twin brothers, George and
Henry. Her place was crowded with
gifts.
'This must be from godmother,"
said Edna, when her mothers little
evening. gown white silk. with pink
Yosebuds embroidered on IT,, Henrys
box Of candy, Georges large bouquet
of violets, her fathers little gold brace
let watch, and many other charming
things had been examined and praised.
IT wonder what it can be-"
She opened long, flat box. and
drew out-a stout, serviceable house
dress Of purple calico!
It was a nice calico. strong. well
covered" quite unlikely to fade or
wear out in hurry.
ooh! Oh! Oh! Oh! OH"
They were five indignant, Mortified
"Oh's."
There's some mistake!" cried
Grace. "She always send such beau
tiful, appropriate things!"
"See if it is meant for you, sister,"
suggested George.
Edna, half disappointed, half
amused, drew out a card.
"For my dear god-daughter, hoping
she will wear it for her godmother's
sake" she read. Yes, it's, for me!
Does she mean it for a domestic sci
ence course?"
"No. One has dainty bungalow
aprons and caps for that" asserted
Grace. "1t's mistake
81 don't see how we can set 1t right,
said Mrs. Bright, busy at the coffee
urn. Zone can hardly ask her IL she
meant to send a calico gown"
"It's a mistake insisted Grace.
This is for some poor person, and
probably that poor person has Eonas
PRESENT."
Then, with a private motive, she
changed the conversation.
Every one going to church," she
asked.
Every one" said DR.. Bright prompt
ly, as they scattered, laden with gifts.
Meanwhile, long blocks away,
humber home was enjoying Christ
mas in less profuse fashion.
This is from you, mother" cried
Susie, unwrapping the second volume
of Caesar from it's papers. Il am so
glad! Now can study in the evenings
again.
Next she unrolled some lengths Of
crochet edging.
THANK you SO much, Clara" She
smiled at the sister, whose couch had
been brought close to the table. ITS
from the best sister in the world
"ro the best" Clara smiled back.
There were five other gifts. A little
box which had come from registered
mail was the last.
'"From Sharpless & Kent" re-
marked Susie. who could have sent
me anything from them?"
She opened the packet. purple
morocco case revealed. on white
velvet ground, an exquisite little cres-
cent of gold, set with small but fine
pearls.
"Oh. Oh! OH"
Three EXPLANATIONS Of delight filled
the tiny room.
az never dreamed of anything so
lovely" cried Susie. DO you think
it can be for me?'
She saw tiny card, bent from its
folding round the morocco case.
with best wishes from Mrs. Gray
She's always sent such useful, plain
things" remarked Mrs. Westover,
out the coffee. ~ am glad
size chose something ornamental for
a change. 1t Is really most kind OF
her to remember us at all"
1T makes me happy that her pres
ent is pretty. 1t isn't the cost Susie
said happily, but feel as if she knew
me-which she doesn't-when she can
choose for me lovely thing like this.
I must let TIE girls see it tomorrow"
The day wore pleasantly on, but
soon after the return of Susie and Mrs.
Westover from church a telegram
came.
They stared at it minute before
Mrs. Westover rather tremblingly
opened the fateful yellow envelope.