A Nameless Gift

Wtaen Sister Mary begun it she intended it to be a lamp mat, and the re;eiver was to be my Cousin Sarah. Sister Mary is rather touchy about some things, but I never knew anythingr to affect her so sevcrely as the mere mention of that lamp mat does now. In fact, I studiously refrain f rom all mention of it unless I particularly wish to rile her. Cousin Sarah and Sister Mary are about the same age. 1 shall not mention Sister Mary's age. as she is still unmarried (having broken with 'the doctor that Christmas). but I thiak I am allowed to state that Causin Sarah was 45 last August, for, since she is married, she is not so particular about concealing her years. Of course Sister Mary would never aave attempted ma.king a lamp mat (for she had never crot'beted one before) if Cousin Sarah had not bought the Dresden lamp. so I blame the whole trouble on the Dresden lamp. The lamp mat began all right, with a üttle round flat center. Sister Mary got that finely. But as the size ereased the thing .seemed to eurl up around the edge. like the tail of a dried herring, and the larger grew the more it curled up. mu ! it got to be the shape of a china usish basin. I don't know what as wrong with it, for I am not an expert in that line, but before the lamp mat was complete Sister Mary deoided to rail il i bag of som.: sort or otber. and pul ribbons on it for handtas and a tassel un the bottom. You see, when a lamp mat makes up its mind to be a pudding bag you just have to let it hae ns ovvn way. So. as I said. she put long ribbons on it, pink ones, and sonie bows, and I took t over and gave it to the baldheaded doctor, with her complimenu and a "Merry Christmas.'" She was engaged to h:m then. That was all right. bui what do you think that doctor did? Why, he sat right down and wrote her a note thanking her for her kindness in sending hhu such a "tasty and comfortable nightcap" and assuring her that it would bring him pleasant dreams. Yes, sir! And I don't wonder Sister Mary got mad and broke the engagement. But you can bet she hasn't tried to make anv lamp matssince.