The Washington herald., 1918-01-07
mother" for Bobbie was now polk

mother" for Bobbie was now pok-
ing it through the null curtain.
Deprived of his destructive in
strument, Bobble promptly set up
a howl. There. there-mother'fl
set you something else.' Then
impatiently. Helen. haven't you a
thing YOU can give him to play
with?"
Want that little box" demand
Cd Bobbie shrewdly.
"oh, no. not that Helen put out
of sight the frail inlaid box. wait.
here's just the thing--some pretty
pictures Cousin Irene sent from
Colorado" producing folding post
card booklet of colored views.
Irene still in Colorado? Oh. her
health's mostly a pose. She's too
self-centered." Carries tone was
lofttly self-righteous. What she
needs is to think more about ,other
people and less about herself"
To bring the conversation back
to the bag, was Helen's one
thought. Carrie had said nothing
about paying for IL. Scrupulously
exact about money matters herself,
Helen expected the same prompt
ness from others.
This has a very good clasp" ir-
| relevantly, taking up the bag. ''Did
you notice how 1t fastens?''
"Oh, yes. it's well made" observed
| Carrie carelessly. What did Irene
say when she wrote-anything about
i coming back?'r
she didn't write-iust sent those
postcards" Then again reverting to
the bag. II wonder why they reduced
| 1t so much.''
Left from the holidays, probably.
You can get some wonderful bar
gains now. DID I tell you about that
| lamp 1 bought last week? Bobbie,
you mustn't tear the pretty pictures %
"Oh, he can have those hoping
! they would keep him from other mis-
chief
"well. guess the cars here" slanc-
ing at the clock ''I told Collins to
come back for us about nine. Now, 1
want you both to see the jining-room.
Why can't you come up Sunday for
| tea?"
Helen murmured a vague acquies-
cence. Carrie was always careful to
invite them for tea instead of din
ner.
shall I put this bag back in the
boN?' with grim persistency.
"Oh, no. I'll carry 1t Just that way"
Then I'd better take the tag on"
sugsestively. "1'll put it inside-in
the change purse"
See here, Bobbie, what're you up
tor" roared Warren.
isn't he ingenious?" purred Carrie.
"He has some of those transfer pic
lures at home. the kind that come of
when they're wet-and he's trying 1t
with these"
''on the WALL" dismayed Helen, for
Bobbie, having licked one of the views,
was smearing OF the colors on the
library wall.
THAT won't show" consoled Carrie.
You see what an active mind"
well, he better confine his activi-
ties to his own home Warren snort
ed. "Of all the destructive little
devils"
"You needn't talk-you weren't such
a model child yourself! I remember
some of your pranks. Come Bobbie,
let mother put on your coat. No,
there aren't any cookies. Oh. never
mind" as Helen hastily suggested
some crackers. HE had something
just before we started"
Helen's thoughts were stili in
tent on the bag. Surely Carrie
would not go off without saying
something about paying for it.
Even if she had not the money
with her, she should at least speak
OF it. .a
'oh. I mustn't forget my bag"
taking it from the table. That's
an awfully nice present, Helen.
Wait It'll you see it with my gray
suit"
A present! Helen swallowed her
astonished gasp.
Then we'll expect you Sunday"
reminded Carrie. pausing before the
hall mirror. "Wait, Bobbie, don't
kick the door-turn the knob. No
pet, the other way. There, see how
quick he is? He'll have wonder
full mind for mechanics"
Then as she entered the elevator,
dragging after her the squirming,
reluctant Bobbie. she called back a
brisk,
"'Good night. Do try to come
early Sunday"
Still speechless, Helen followed
Warren back to the library. SLOUGH
ing into his chair. he lit cigar
with deep, appreciative chuckle.
"a present." Helen fairly spluttered.
''oh. you knew didn't mean. that for
| present"
II knew" with grin. but evident
ly Carrie didn't"
But why-why should she think
I'd give her that bag?"
People do make presents" cynically
''It's not unheard Of. you know"
But she knew better." all her old
animosity towards her sister-in-law
flaming high. "she knew / didn't mean
to give II to her! She did that de-
liberately!''
well. you're so blooming close
anybody who gets anything out of you,
deservessit. II Carrie put that over
she,s cleverer than thought Ha, ha.
that's rich! It's worth the four
ninety-eight. all righti'