The Washington times., 1931-03-05
NOu Go On With the Story

brought some injection with
you!"
on still another trip to town
Larry joined Mary Lou for
lunch as Mrs. Lorrimer had
cali to pay and q luncheon
engagement to keep. And he
promised her, over the table
at one of their old time fay
orite "Wopperies." that he
would come out for ChriStmaS
day. 49,
Upon each occasion, if they
separated during the day, Mrs.
Lorrimer and Mary Lou met
at some appointed place and
motored back to Westwood to-
gether.
Christmas Gifts
Shortly before Christmas,
Lorrimer wandered into the
morning room where Mary Lou
was busy with packages, sitting
on the floor in o muddle OF
twine, gilt cord, red ribbon and
colorful papers, starred with
gold and silver. Tags and
labels lay strewn all about her
and she was having o perfectly
glorious time. MRS. Lorrimer
had been watching and helping
her, for like all very nice
women, she had never out
grown her childhood thrill at
the giving season, and had just
left the room. Mary Lou looked
up from her gay welter and
litter and laughed at Lorrimer's
expression.
"Well," said Lorrimer, you
have changed, haven't your"
"Why?" she asked him, ex-
periencing, as always, that
strange construction Of the
heart which came to her each
time he referred to the real de-
light and his intimate knowl-
edge Of her.
why, one Of the first things
you ever said to me-We were
talking about Christmas-was
that you thought 1t was a lot
of eye-wash,' except for chill
dren."
What a really unpleasant girl
the genuine Delight must have
thought Mary Lou, and felt sud-
denly Mortified that Lorrimer
could confuse the two Of them.
It hurt her prfde!
Very Much Changed
Did I? Well" she answered,
smiling. "1 suppose at that age
it must have been the fashion
to be cynical and ill that.
I've changed, as you suggested
:. slipped back to second child
hood, perhaps. I'm having q
perfectly elegant time! And
you'll have to get over your
cyniciSm, too, for your mother
and I will need you to help trim.
the tree. And you Just can't
back out Of it, you're exactly
the right height!". she added.
looking up at him with an i'm
personal and measuring gaze.
"and what's more, you're going
to come with me this afternoon
and pick out the tree! I Sug-
gested we cut it from West
wood, and your mother has con-
Sented. Over in the North
grove the trees are very thick.
I spoke to Henderson about it
and he said q little thinning
out wouldn't hurt"
Henderson was the head gar.
dener. Lorrimer shrugged his
shoulders.
"Just as you say-but it Is .
lot of nonsense. commercial.
lied as the devil-a red-letter
day for department stores" he
remarked.
Mary Lou sat back on her
heels and surveyed him.
GOSH" she said, I'm GER
tainly sorry for you. Travers
Lorrimer!" ....
He flushed, shrinking in his
oversenSitiveness from the least
hint Of criticism.
''Now, why. exactly?" he
managed to ask.
IF you don't know" she re-
piled graphically, I'm sorrier
for you than ever! Your
mother has a list of poor fam
lilies she always gives to every
Christmas. Lots Of these things
go in the baskets" she indi-
Gated nearby dolls, drums,
skates, mechanical toys Of all
kinds. 'ThereIl be food, too.
and fruit and all. This year
she is going to take things to
town herself and I'm going
with her. think" suggested
Mary Lou, smiling up at him.
that you couldn't give her a
lovelier gift than to go with
her!"
He moved uneasily.
II hate crowds" he muttered,
"and misery"
Mary Lou rose suddenly to
her feet, scattering the paper