Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1928-01-06
PEGGY'S
BIRTHDAY
GIFT
GO by D. J. walsh.)

Il band was saving to buy her
birthday present. He watched
every nickel, he who was occasionally
careless of dimes, not to say quarters.
When he walked home for five nights
In succession she was certain that the
gift would be something worth while
What could 1t be? They had almost
everything for their comfort.
Bob's salary permitted him to be a
good provi6er. And Peggy was frugal
and wise-the kind of wife young,
ambitious and energetic man should
have. She hoped now that after all
his saving and planning Bob would
not purchase something that was I'M
necessary or extravagant. Men who
bought birthday gifts for their wives
sometimes lost their heads a bit.
The evening preceding her birthday
Bob came home through the rain with
his happy, little-boy look, as she called
it. Under one arm he had small
box, under the other large parcel.
well, Peg" he kissed her as well
as he could for his burdened condl-
ton. "I've got you a birthday pres
ent. Just let me get my wet coat Off
and I'll show 1t to you"
1t was a small radio set. And what
she had wanted above all things was
a kitchen-cabinet.
II took her q moment to readjust
her feelings. She understood Bob
He had not been selfish In his choice
although he must have known from
hints she had given him what 1t was
she most desired. He had wanted
radio so much himself that 1t had not
occurred to him that she might not
want 1t I'm the same way.
He was watching her face anxious
ly. "Do you like 1t Peg7 Are you
pleasedT
She smiled and patted his shoulder.
'Of course l am, DEAR" she said.
Then he kissed her.
Bob was very busy and happy In
stalllng the radio. He worked all eve
ming absorbedly. And when at last
the first sound Of distant music came
through the loud speaker he looked
so thrilled that Peggy was almost as
glad as II she had received the kitch-
en-cabinet.
She had never seen Bob so inter-
ested in anything, since their court
ing days when he was trying to per-
suade her to marry him, as he was
in that radio. For a month she could
not get him to leave the house for
a single evening. Mrs. Best laughed
about 1t.
as Bob sitting up with his new toy
tonight?" she would say.
The Bests lived in the bungalow
next door. They loved to play cards,
but Bob was never available for cards
now.
AS time passed Peggy began to
think that kitchen-cablnet was
worth a hundred radios. She needed
the cabinet every day of her life and
the radio was of no earthly use save
as an entertainer. Besides, Bob's de-
vOtion to 1t was becoming a bit irri-
tatlng. After being alone at home all
day Peggy longed for diversion when
1t came evening. The radio cut her
VII LhC lhONlCo1 Nlbll6 anu NOhi-
pany. Her patience wore thin In spite
Of her determination to be reasonable.
One day she took things In her own
hands and asked In three couples for
an old-fashioned neighborly evening.
She made a freezerful of cream and
baked a cake. When Bob came home
she told him what was coming.
"Goodl I'm glad of It," he ex-
claimed.
But when the guests had arrived
he recalled certain engaging pro
gram which was just then about to
open. For the next hour nothing but
sounds issuing from the loud speaker
were to be heard.
Peggy, catching Mrs. Best's ironic
eye, bit her lip with vexation. This
was really going too far Suddenly
she arose and, going to the instru-
ment, shut 1t off. Her air was con
elusive.
Now we will play cards." she said
brightly.
She saw Bob look at her in an odd
way.
Afterward when they were alone
Bob voiced his surprise and hurt.
you don't like the radio. can
see that, Peg" he said. II guess l
made a great mistake in getting It.
There was something you would rath-
err have had-a kltchen-cablnet.
wasn't itr
"Oh, the radio 10 all right-in Its
place." Peggy replied, "only when !
invite company for something else
well, 1t was bit embarrassing"
II was as near as they had ever
come to quarreling.
The next night when Bob came
home to supper he put his arms about
her and kissed her.
1.-THE radios going and your kitchen
cabinet Is coming" he said. "I've
found somebody who will take the
thing off my hands. He's coming aft
err it tomorrow night"
"But | don't want you to sell the
radio, dear. That is not what I
meant at all. I'm sorry IL I've made
myself misunderstood"
Peggy was not happy next morning.
Bob had declared firmly that the 70.
do was going out Of the house that
night. II was useless to say anything
now.
She had washed the breakfast
dishes and had climbed on a chair to
put something away in the cupboard
when the chair slipped. She felt her.
self going, clutched valnly and struck.