The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-12-28
THEIR CHRISTMAS SPECIALITY
BY Ada Borden Stevens.
Copyright, 1922, by Wheeler
Svdnciate. Incl

Sydnciate, Inc.)
ut isn't hard to make a small
apartment look Christmasy, is it,
Tom?" Ruth looked down from her
stand on the chair. 1t was their
first Christmas eve in their own
home, and it had to be right.
Tom looked with approval at the
flushed face of his pretty wife.
Mighty pretty, call it You're
a wonder, Ruth"
She put out her hands for the
jump, then pushed him playfuily
We have to be practical, remem-
Der. We decided to give each other
gifts for the house."
That's the talk Tom agreed
heartily. Say, it looks great. Come
on to bed"
When Tom opened his eyes the
bells were ringing. 1t was raining
If it had been snow. -. . He shook
off an uneasy feeling and shouted
Merry Christmas" to Ruth. who
responded as rapturously as he
could wish.
Come" she exclaimed, before
we open a single present We mus
have our breakfast
Tom was glad Of the delay. HI
did not feel quite satisfied. Whal
should he do if she were disappoint-
ed in his gift? Perhaps she woul(
not like his practical present, after
all.
Seated in the tiny sitting room
where packages flanked the oper
crate, he tried to put spirit int
the occasion.
You first" he cried gayly, ant
leaned back to see what Ruth woult
choose.
She took up long, brown parcel
"Oh, what queer bumps. What car
| it be?" She felt it over.
open the others first" suggest
ed Tom.
| ooh, no. Yours. dear. jus
think-oh. you love! A shove
bath! Just what we needed most.
Ruth die. it we'll. Tom was almos
convinced. Then he remembered.
| by gum. Ruth! l forgot yo'
! don't like showers. I've"
"Tom," Ruth spoke severely, "w
said we'd be practical. l adore it
+. it will look so-brighty and shin
in the bathroom. You open some
thing"
Tom turned to his own pile. H
took up an awkward bundle tina
excited his curiosity. Ruth jumped
"Oh, no, dear; open the littl
one" But he had caught sight Q
her handwriting.
Sure, this~is the first, hon.
couldn't think of a thing until
saw this" He undid the strin1
An aluminium pan fell out. Then
set of tiny bowls; then three vari
Eeties Of spoons.
/ Ruth, you angel!" Tom man
aged to speak convincingiy. "I'l
have good feed out OF this" Tn
warmth Of his manner was un
changed, yet there were tears i
This little wife's eyes as he kisse
l soSAu. 11uI1 ASuIy Suey OPGu6u Ill
next package together. Here wa
neutral ground and all was safe.
| Throughout the day a feeling {
/ constraint followed them. The
tried to overcome 1t.
/ "I'm glad we decided to go to tn
tree tonight" Ruth remarked, a
red streaks in the west gave sign
OF clearing weather.
"Just little homesick. hon?"
| ooh, no; how could be-" Tn
| kettle boiled over just then. an
Ruth jumped to save It. b ding he
face moment in, its vap.r.
/ It was light and Lovely in til
church parlors. The big tree wa
strung oddly with popcorn an
i golden balls. It looked big an
hhomey; for the first time that da
la glow was on Toms, face, Will
there was a new lightness jim, IL
4 step with which Ruth followed hi
ito a seat. 1t seemed las thong
these two had waited fog, this mi
ment to crown their celebration.
i The exercises swere short SAINT
Claus came. and the children file
up to receive their candy an
i packages. Ruth and Tom watche
leagerly. Finally: