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‘ all right." - and three conditions to a third. Where. - impu-dent to his father. “GIFTs BY NORMA PATTERSON The clock upon the mantel chimed‘ six and Anna Holcolm knew that she, could no longer hide behind her closed, ‘ eyelids or deceive herself into believ- :homc where of :ed housekeeping, ing that a few kind, velvet hours 1 night separated her from a day she did not see how she was to face. ’2' Little lusty, crowing shouts came up; mugh a Window (’Pened “the frOSt'lholidays isee now. A seam puckered, in one she could hear chanting voices: . I ‘ Thea: weal: be red Sledisttzuti It was going to be a hard day for’ place; the hem pulled. Here was a “He gave his only lug-gotten Son . . . who wxltl afrrngi:1 atFtwewq'e sharp on 0 51m" an l -9 new ml “5 - . - ‘real accom lishment, learned in secâ€" that the world mi "lit not erish but 9“ m“ e or 0 our ‘ 983mm them! So different from every Christ- P g P and the months ot the Year on happy hands deftly forming snow-i men. There would be drums and horns; and go-mobiles and holly-decked winâ€", dows and laughing backlogs in wide. fireplaces. Once, perhaps, in the life of every: one there comes a Christmas devoid of , meaning; a Christmas when that in-‘ conveniently registering organ called- a heart must be put away in a vault,- the door closed and the combination} thrown away and all the sign posts of. the day passed without recognition‘ or salutation. Anna faced such a Christmas to-day. Her mind, seeking escape, fled back, to last Christmas. How perfect it? had been! She and Jamie had planned; to make it a“ culmination of happy: Christmases, with each of their chil-‘ \dren’s choicest wish gratified. There; were three reasons for this: Van, who‘ had won honors in college and famel for his football squad, deserved it; Marie, who waspnot altogether happy in spite of a successful first se'ason,! needed it; as for Shirley, it was a last? desperate snatching after this son of theirs who was slipping away from them. Jamie, running a hand through his quickly graying hair, had said: “H Van still wants that roadster, “But, Jamie, isn’t that extrava- gant? You see, Marie has set her heart on . . . pearls.” It was usually this way for them, J-amie for Van, she for Marie. Both would have loved to be for Shirley but he was such an outlaw he put himself beyond the pale of happy plannings. Jamie thoughit a minute, made an impulsive gesture. "‘Get her the pearls!” Anna knew they shouldn't afford it, but Marie had been moody and upset. It was on account of that smooth- tonigue‘d, dark-eyed De Mend, a blase fellow with an extraordinary fascin'a- , tion and the habit of turning its full! light on one of the season’s choicesti and youngest. Last year it had been little Julie Sandow; this year, Marie. “And Shirl y?” ventured Anna. ’ “God knows what ShiEiey wants!” He had been expelled from two prep schools and was hanging by a hair l he spent his time and his father's money, Anna dared not think. Lately he had been growing more reckless and ’ She had said, “We’ve opposed him so long. Suppose we . . it might have! a good effect, Jamie, if we let him; have his way just once? He’s wild; to study aviation.” But Jamie, so down on this one way- ward child, so impatient of his wild~ ness, could not risk him in the air! “It’s only another mad whim. He’s not interested in the science of it or the mechanical part. It’s just the up“ andâ€"going of the thing. He’s run all the paces on earth. Now give him the sky! He needs an iron hand, that young man.” Van brought a bunch of college friends home for the holidays. Marie had a dance on Christmas evening. Shilrey, overjoyed at his father’s per- mission to study aviation (yes, Jamie had given in as‘he always did) was actually on hand and conducted him- self with credit. The house glimmerâ€" ed and sparkled and shone like a fairy! scene. Jamie and Anna, dog tired ‘ but with set smiles, danced with the youngsters. " “They do look happy, don't they?” sighed Ann-a contentedly. It was then that Jamie, after years of fatherly. indulgence, burst out in the middle of the dance, grew indignâ€" ant in his toes, made enormous ges- tures in the path of whirling couples. “Why shouldn’t they be happy? They’ve had too much . . . that’s the whole thing in a nutshell. Never satis- fied . . . howling for the moon . . . got no idea of .the value of a dollar. What on earth have they ever done in return for all that’s been done for them? It had been rather comical and pa- thetic too. Anna, trying to quiet him, grew uneasy beneath the spangl-es of a new black dress. Had it all cost Jamiel more than he could afford to spend? He looked tired and old around his eyes. Rebellion rose in Anna‘s heart. Her own toes grew indignant! “It’s not right,” she thought. “I’m going to put a stop to all this sacrifice on Jamie's part. They don’t appre- ciate their father. I’ve given too much thought to the children and not enough to Jamie. From now on it’s going to be Jamies first.” But there was little time to put her resolution through. For, a few months later. Jamie . . . had gone. Out of health and security; out of her love and her life . . . gone. The financial crash followed. Van had had to have college on the eve of graduation. Marie had dropped her plans. Shirf ' 7ave up aviation. And afim- s. !~o'.vl._ . .ed season of grief and (~I‘ v calm and comfort three ,3 2. n mildzen conscious of seeing -« Christmas mornings. To-day whenling for advice, “I believe that Father-l even a little gift would have meant so , would have. looked at it this way." much, she had nothing. But they had! Anna reached a hand across to the gifts for her. the packages lay by,old chair, and firm, understanding fin- her plate. lgers seemed to close over hers. He “You’ve gone and bought some- ,Was not gone! He lived again in Van’s thing," she reproached them gently,;steady purpose, in Shirley's softened; too late their father as he had‘ been,i“after our agreement." ltempestuousncss, in Marie's sweetl Anna had sold the big mwn house and‘ “Open them!" they cried eagelKY- leycs and loving face. :tainment planned for New Year's eve-1 ‘ ‘ e - . . t of: Now t l st she s w what the chil- . . . h d b ht th in back to the little Sh chose the large“ 011° . 0“ l :8 a v 4 , A L .1 2 a mug sheeand Jamie had start-, the Wrappings came a black silk cape, ‘ dren had done. They had led her gaily ,j Invnatlonq we‘d as f0 ows where all the chil-lwarmly lined. I ' ithrough the day and in love and selfâ€"i Father Tyne They had kepti “I made it, Mother, out of the hump; forgetfulness had found their own way l requests the pleasure of your company: It had proved of that black Spangled evening dress.” back to happiness. at nine O'clock, December 3151;, “You made this!” From far away the sound of Christâ€" to wejcome a young guest It was a little queer. mas chimes came faintly. She fancied HAPPY NEW YEAR The four seasons and the months of the year will be featured in the enter-; dren had been born. it for sentiment's sake. :their refuge. Arriving a week ago,‘ they were settled just in time for the‘ Anna cou.d For their‘recy, toiled over, sewed, pulled out, have everlasting life.” mas th could remember. , I ey sewed againâ€"for love’s sweet sake. sake she must meet it, walk along With: Th? "Waning 01’ it all Came SWlEt’IYD! Each guest is presented with a wee the heartbreaking hours and Shove the “It's IOVnelyl I’d no idea my girl-“158 the “pwald rusmng. 0f whitQ‘Cupld doll. Around his waist is a, day finally over the sill of night and 0031‘] 59“" . m , ‘wmgs' The Birth' the I‘lfe and the length of colored ribbon with a 1001): into the wide healing space of the] .Just you wait. Marie waggcd a Death I. she understood now. The for attaching m mat button 0,. frock past. , Ibright head, indlcating future true Significance of the day touched The two having Cupids with sashes to Anna rose. The day was gray and triumphs. home to her heart. She, too, had match become partners for given what she loved best . . . that: these might see the light! . Four tables, each representing one‘ i It was a savmgs bank book'and in it[ ____.Q_ lowered heavens like Prayer EOing' . , . [as v - season, are required for this gamel straight to the throne. la 5mg“? mmst entry: It was hardly? t Year s Failures' Not less than two couples should be As she dressed, her mind went back, the price Of a Pair Of gloves SUCh “3 What Shall I do With last yeal’s ‘ at any one table. The number above‘, 'tothose first Christmases in the bonse he had _W°m 1'“ 0th?!" days but hei failuresy this is not restricted. It is a pro-" when the children were small. 'A tornlEPOkO w‘th 9mm)“: ‘1 Ve Saved that! foolish mistakes that gressive game. Playing begins simâ€"l lace on the wall a r had reminded mudl already Mower!" . haunting "16 yet? ultaneously at all tables. p p pe ‘ Alma thought 0f another bank b°°k Shall I allow them to mar and emâ€" frozen. Clouds hungjust above house- “Open the other,” cried Ken and 1s tops, and smoke, incense rising from‘ ShPV‘v‘l'l his gift forward, happy hearthstones, ascended into the brlght» hls face aglow. eyes THE GAME or'mn FOUR SEASONS. The are ‘ l her. Van had done it with a new, exw ' ‘ ploring knife. She remembered the that had been thWSt Across-that tabf’“ bitter SPRING“ very suit he had worn that day. And 10m? a'go' another VOlCOv like van 5t. The coming days with a vain red On the table numbered 1 there she had dressed little Marie up in a ‘ saymgv “I've saved that "well alreadyvi gret? should be sheets of various colored tis- dearl" Some day she would tell Van., ~ _ I Just now she could only smile mistily Dim” I gather up my last Year's i into the face of her tall, 5 lendid son. failures . ' _ forsadganldle.’Ch 1d d h d 1 c The third gift was a: envelope, And bind them into a sombre sheaf The flowers that bloom in the spring, u enl y, e o ays rus e amu ‘ h .th 1 d ét . fl tter like. From within Anna drew a sheet of Of ever-9500113ing disappcintments, traâ€"lay . ‘er W1 21 gal r Iurmng 11 paper on which Shirley had written: And give them over to hopeless Have notlung to do With the case, little hands welcoming her home. They | . . [ “I’ve given up cigarettes, Mum, Rifles? crowded into her heart and filled ltl. because he did)“ smoke ,em‘" witli happy memories; family jokes“, sue paper, green wire, scissors and‘ gorgeous pink sash. And baby Shirâ€" library paste. Here icy had actually reached a fat hand for each person is to make a flower of: Shall I dig a grave and bury my‘some sort. The couple whose flowersl household expressions, happy inci-i S510 tale: to $113,913 :1]; her lips qlliv‘ failures, are most perfect progress to the sec- dents, all the dear simplicity of thoseorivlai?e “figs “61:, ercqfizrnZiylgi' “we Deep in the tomb of forgetfulness ond table labelled early struggling days before Jamie, .’ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ , hide SUMMER VACATION, had begun to make money- 1glirlgillliilltlol.il°$etlicia§ieu$'Fm‘ W W“ “mg” “‘6” ungainly A road, buttons and dice are used She Stepped into the hall and the! “I’mmakin molasses cand eve ll faces’ . in this game. The hostess should echo of little feet seemed to come from: body! Hurrygup with your bigwgt And covel:_§h$m up With my wound‘ 5 make the road previous to the evening; grey comers, sending her arms (mt and come help. You know that big ed p“ 9' It COHSlStS Of a 3O'lYlCh Square 0f in hungry longing HOW Often in the old black pot, Mother? The iron one?! No.. I’ll make a ladder out of my heavy cardboard. marked off, along eanly morning she had stood just here, I found it in the shed and scfubbed failures, each edge, with a six-inch road, di- thankful that through another night‘hom.S on it. Candyw.ou1dnvtbecandy A ladder on which I can firmly vided into spaces by cross lines at all had been well With her brood. She uniegs it was cooked in that same pot Stand; intervals of two inches. The road takes; felt, as She tiPtoed Past the rooms; There never was any that tasted likeiUpon it 1",] Ch'mb to the left of sucga sharp turn to the centre of the board': where they now lay asleep and down yours used to. Did you use vinegar?" cesses, just before reaching the starting the stairs that after all her babiesi They plunged noisixy into the kit_ Slowxy but surejy' hand over hand. place. The centre is lettered “Per-1 slept there yet, instead of the three chem fect Vacation.” v sophisticated young people they had, When the boys had Mistered their And so, after all, my last year’s At intervals a picture of a Lake, a grown ifingers and Anna's porous, imrnaculata failures, . mountain, a waterfall 01' some of; Anna had to grope her way acrossT candy lay in a platter beside the dingy Wthh grimly “me my life to Con‘lnatural scenery Should be Pasmd in the lower half. but she opened the liv-‘ efforts of the others, somebody said f,°undv 5133095- In some Others there Slimlld ing room door on a blaze of light. Shel something about the attic. There was May, 1“ the end! tum 0m" to be be d'il'eCtlon‘S Bush as "A raise in 531-, caught her breath in astonishment. a wild stampede for the stair. Her blessm’gsv aYYv 8° ahead 2." “A lift in an allto» If I use each one for a ladderâ€"round. -â€"Ida M. Thomas. â€"-â€"-‘O-â€"â€"â€" _ ‘ New Year’s Eve. go ahead 5.” “A rainy day, go back; Holly and evergreens had transform- grown-up babies! 2." “A train missed (or a boat), go1 ed the place into a miniature forest! Anna heard their shouts coming A roaring fire on the hearth lighted‘back from beneath the shinglespand every crisp leaf, every red berry into presently strange/things began to up a very hallclujah of color. ‘ipear on the~1iving-room rug. An air “Mornin', Mis’ Holcolm!" It was gun that had banged terror into the I'm CIOSing the Old Year’s house to‘ Each player throws his dice in turn Bell _. the old negro servant who had hearts of stray cats and chickens; a night, and moves his‘ counter in the spaces been with them through everything.:t1‘ain that ran on a circular track;l.With all of its memories. 58d and accordingbo the number indicated No? “Dem chilluns done it las' night aftah drums and blocks and soldiers; a piauoi bright; two buttons exceni’, those of parthersl yo’d gone to bed. D'ey ban hidin’ dat that tinkled yet. And somehow it gives me an aching can remain in th‘e same space! The? misseltoe fo' two days. Yo ought to! Down on their knees before the fire heart one arriving late must drop back flvel ’uv seed ’cm a-fixin’ up las’ night fo’, they went, romping with their ownl Because With the Old Year I mUSt spaces. The partners who reach the: t9? sulprlse Yol- 1383' Sim had a'ChlldhOOd- Could they be the “Near Part- lPerfect Vacation first or get nearestl jubilee!" dissatisfied young people, bored with.I In so many ways it has been to me to it win and progress to the third‘. A little bewildered at this unexpectâ€" everything that City life had to Ofierfi kindv Etable which represents ed attention from her three, Annal, Dinner was announced‘nnd there‘That I feel ungrateful to leave it; - , turned to the fire, lifting a staying.was a great hurrah over the turkeyi behind. l AUTUMN . ‘ Three large red cardboard “Rs” in- hand quickly to her throat. There was'. . . nobody had ex wteld one. Belle! - the aid chair that had always sat in‘ wouldn't te1,1_it WES Santa Claus! ' TO-mCYYOW I m0Ve t0 *1 house that 13_dicate that school begins in the fall. ‘7- ' n "n ' - ~ the chimney corner. It had been ai And the pudding . . . just look at ,“ell’ _. . ‘ lEflch pupn 01.‘ Player 15.91%“de scarecrow even in the old days, but, that! Anna realized that they were; But so mm 18d‘ the looms mayiwnl,‘ Penal 91‘ Paper .011 Whlf‘h “uln- Jamie had rested “there in the quiettblindfolding her and leading her past' When 10,11 2‘; the sun the most of the' firs are tin??? Ccénespilldujg. will evenings after his work. Her babiesthe dreaded hours that she had plan-i day l 0:6 onf :h Itsbl’ qugslrlgnb m t e y icen re 0 e a .e. a ners may had climbed upon the arm of it, How‘ ned to face bravely for their sakes. _ . . had it come there? ‘She knew too that they had grown; And yet I musl" “VS m It’ come What,W°1‘k together. b1“? secretly from the maY- lrest. The teacher (hostess) comes “I foun’ it vistidd in a secon’ han’ VGI‘Y‘deaI‘ and very tender, like the‘ . v V shop,” said fielle, yunderstandineg. fulfillment of her dreams of them. At an}, ml’e’ 'twm b3 c‘ean! I kHO‘v’1‘1rOUlld and examines the Papers. and They wuz no mistakin' it and I tidied When dinner was over they gather- And I“ do my best to keep it 50' 'the couple With the largest number of â€"â€"Ida M. Thomas. .correct answers progress to the fourth cares to make. RULES or THE GAME. ! it up a bit. It b’longs yerel” The fire- light on their faces, they grew quieter, more serious. The talk turned to the future. It came to Anna that her Anna reached a hand for the rough: black one and they stood together: gazing into the past, tears shining in; their eyes. Then came the sound of footsteps. The children were coming. Unconsciously Anna braced her shoulders, calling upon all her, strength to face them without break-L invg down. For the first time in herF life she stood alone on Christmas, morning to greet them and extended. empty handsâ€"not a gift for them did she have. It was her empty Christ-i mas! The door swung open. They stood on the threshold, Marie, arm~in-arm‘ with each of her brothers Anna, gaz-l ing at them saw a wonderful thing. happen. At sight of her tear-wet face: their own expressions crumpledâ€"the old, old habit of bringing their grief to Motherâ€"then recovered . . . rose . mounted . . . something seemed: to lift them out of themselves. She: knew at once they had planned it allI upstairs and it was taking the strength} of three, linked close together, to put? it over. . “Merry Christmas, Mother!" thcy cried in chorus. i Merry Christmas! They had daredl to say it. Her own courage leaped upl to meet theirs and she spoke the words she thought she could never say again. ‘- “Merry Christmas, darlings!" i And the little heroic berries upon the wall shouted and the fire dancedl and their hearts stood shoulder to‘, shoulder in a white, triumphant moâ€"‘ ment. Together they had touched and1 faced and passed one of the hardest} places in the day. l Crowding about her they covered: her with kisses and surged into the1 breakfast room. Anna, who had braced her strength to cover the three‘ of them, felt the responsibility of. courage lifted from her shoulders: They were seeing to her, instead of her seeing to them. Her babies were‘ like this and she had not known! How Anna had dreaded this brcakwl fast, recalling the costly presents she, and Jamie had given them on other ed once more about the fire. ‘children had been playing with life. Could they really like earnest living as she and Jamie had liked it? Or were they playing a part, just for toâ€"day? They talked of their father, not with the bitterness of first grief but calmly, as if he had taken his place among . l __ o _ l l The New Year. IA flower unblown: a book unread: iA tree with fruit unharvested: :A path unitrod: a house whose rooms : Lack yet the heart’s divine perfumes: , :A landscape whose wide border lies ‘In silent shad-e ’neath silent skies: iA wondrous fountain yet unsealed: lA casket with its gifts concealed: and last table. I A list of questions and answers will, be forwarded l Here are sample questions: What flowers wake up only in time for after-l noon tea? Answer, Four o'clocks. represents a command? Answer, Stand. WINTER. Snow (absorbent cotton) and 8. them. Van said, “I remember some-l This is the year that for you Waits small sled on which are piled numer- thing father told me about that once.” And again, when Shirley was ask- chond To-morrow’s mystic gates. l . â€"Horatio Nelson Power. ' a,BRlTlS'r-l TROOPS EVACUATE THE ous tiny wrapped parcels are on the table representing winter. There is COLOGNE BRiDCLElâ€"EEAD The first material result cf the Locm‘no treaties was the evacuation of Cologne by the British army occupation. The above photograph shows the ceremony of the changing of the guard for lasL time. of NEW YEARENTERTAINMEN’E FEATURES I i, FOUR SEASONS AND moms or YEAR Each snowball contains a favor. also a pile of white crepe paper out into sevenâ€"inch squares, and some library paste. Each player makes a snowball by inclosing one of the pack- ages in a wad of cotton, wraps it in the crepe paper and fastens the edges with paste. On each piece of paper is the name of one of the guests, which . must come on the outside of the snow- ball. No person makes more than one bail. Here, as it is the highest table, the two who make the poorest snow- balls go to the lowest table numbered one. When the last snowball is fin- ished it may mean the end of the ' progressive game. The snowballs should be left piled on the table. gTHE MONTHS OF THE YEAR. Players are provided with pencils and paper and write down what they ‘ consider represents the months of the year, and which one, from the var- back 5,” or any chOsen directions onef ious things in the rooms. Here are a few suggestions: A large number “I” represents the New Year, Janu-arysa, a valentine, February; a toy rabbit or the picture of one portrays the March hare; an umbrella, April; a. Maybas'ket, May; a bowl of roses, June, etc. A prize should be given the person guessing the most answers correctly. A calendar would be just the thing, or a diary. NEW YEAR ARRIVES IN SNOW-STORM. ,When the refreshments have been served, which should be shortly after 11, each guest takes one of the snow‘. balls. At the stroke of 12 each person throws the one he holds to the person whose name it bears. So the New Year is greeted with a shower of snowballs, which, on inspection, prove to hold triflcs, such as miniature mir- rors, shovels, lanterns, iubky‘afi'i'mais, etc., which can be bought for a few pennies. o e Samantha Resolves. I won’t greet the New Year with a_ weary air and discouraged faceâ€" I won’t let )ny state of mind make mountains out of my molehi-lls of workâ€"â€" ’ I won’t let the word “drudgery” What piece of furniture in the room 1 have a Place in my Vocabularyâ€" I won't be afraid to eliminate from tions that keep my brain and my ouse clutteredâ€" * I won’t regard myself 'as a martyr or a heroine because I manage to get lthe meals on time and, the mending I doneâ€" ’ ‘ I won’t scold and I won’t nagâ€" I won’t forget that soft words still. drive away wrathâ€" ! I won’t lose my sense of humorâ€"â€" I won’t forget to smile when I want to frownâ€" ‘ 1 I won’t forget to be thankful for i my blessings. ’ . ...â€".._c>â€"__._. .â€" 011? New Year Talk. We sometimes wish one another a Happy New Year without realizing 5that it is up to us to make one an- lothcr happy. Iappy New Years are inot like weeds, which spring up of lthemselves; they are like orchids, 3! which take a lot of careful cultivation. 1 Many Happy New Years die youngâ€", ,of neglect and starvation. l Don’t stop at wishing; do! Nor at ‘thinking; actlâ€"Get on with the job, :of happinessâ€"making. What are you . doing to make someone else happier? } Happiness, like charity, begins at .lmme. There are people who can be lam checry as anyone could wishâ€"ex- ‘cept in their own homes! There are lgc-ing to be fiftyâ€"two weeks in 1926. i How many of them are you going to ,v-slp make happy for those around ‘ you? I A happy father makes a happy family; a cheery mother makes a win- ,try day feel like June! ! _____ ¢-__.___ Lny life Things, Customs and Tradi- Seekers. iHymn the finder of the (JUICE, IHynin the seekers. Rlnm