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THE HIGH COST OF GIVING ,By Esther Hull Dixon Eleanor rocked dowly and squeak- f.y in th« farmhouM living-room â€" rot the "white houso with green shut- ters and red barn" farmhouse of On- tario, Imt a two-room shack on a nouthern Alberta irrigation tract. dress suit and she would have worn her wedding dre;s, which was her only party gown and bespoke the most extnivagnnt gayety. Why not havo the dinnar party anyway 7 It would be minus the guests perhaps, Suddenly, with a sigh that pronounc- but she could cook a good dinner and cd Itself the period to a long reverie,! John had his drcns suit and she her she ros« and walked to a chej^t at one end of the room She lifted tlie cover, and as she did «o a letter slipped to the floor, re- leased from an accidental hiding plnrc. It was sealed and addressed i of mission fumit4ire but iiot stumped. (a few pins, and the wedding gown. Once more .she lifted the lid of the cheit, and this time she took from it a soft, shapeles.-i package that 1 ust'led strangely amid the severity She loosened tissue paper from the glare of a blanket of snow under the bright Alberta sun, she saw "That" had been a tiny string of pearls in one coi-ncr, and he had hap John in conversation with a stranger i pcr.ed to rend the tap attached, It on horseback. Ag tshe flung the 'had made him turn away then. He cloth»R over the line their conaerva- j remembered it w-istfully now. tion came clearly to her ear* through He reached home, unhitched with the still fro.ty air. "It's first-class," affirmed the numb fingers and heavy heart, fM and bedded his horses, and turned to aUe," said John. "I was talking to him about thatj only a few moments ago whon I found him leaning over your g*ts as| I dro\'e up. By Jove, sir, the old boy knew me." "I'll go right out apd put him up while Eleanor makes you comfort- stranger. "Cren-u-wine rawhidOi leave the stable when a soft sound, cantle, hand-stitched, brass cap, and thi.s here's real russet leather." Most of this unlntellig'iblo. to Eleanor, but not the answer to John's question: "How much do you want for it?" "Fifty dollars," was the answer. Once more in the house Klcanor half-siiorl and half-whinny â€" a horsi's plea 'for recognition â€" arrested him. H.U turned back, entered Beppo's stall, "Here, not so fast!" Uncle Ste%c stepped to the back door and dragged from the porch a big bundle which he t-et before John and took the satiny nose in his hand.i From his coat pocket he produced a On Christmas «'ve the table in the | smaller package for Eleanor, little ranch-house kitchen was set with the best silver and linen for a formal dinner â€" for two. Aunt "Now, how in the world-- 1" ex- ! wrappings fell away, releasing a claimed Elear.or picking up the let- (cloud of wjiite satin that billowed ler, and, after examining it: "My first I from her hand to the floor like a Utter to Eva, and I li:jd to write an-! foamy meringue sind lay silently glis- othor." \ " j tening with a sof^t dull splendor as she l>e- held it up at arm's length, her bosom went to the telephone. Rural sor- Julia's silver candlesticks shed a soft vice in this new country was .slow. pink -shaded light. A silver fern "Hello!" she called. "Hello, Opera- 'dish reflc-cted in a flat mirror stood tor, get me the company's camp,: in lieu of flower.s for the centrepiece, please. I want to talk to Mrs. Valen-lantl we<lding-present china and glass- tine. " ware completed the appointments. As t:ho rose from the telephone, Kleanor in a summej- dre.^s of fig- Eleanor looked through the kitchen jurcd lawn announced the meal, and| window just in time to see John lead- Open 'em right away and tell me if I'm a good prophet," he said with a twinkle in his eye. The rustle of wrapping paper drowned all remarks. -^ Eleanor pushed an ivory button in a little plush case and held up â€" a string of pearls! At John's feet lay a shining new •saddle. "For Beppo," chuckleii Uncle St*ve; Raw Fur8 FOX, COON, SKUNK WANTED SHIP NOW FOR HIGH PRICES W* var KxglrMi bad Poatar*. Xcmtt WUUa 2-t Heoza. Send for Illustrated Booklet and Price List OLIVER SPANNER & CO. Taildariulata 26 ELM STREET, TORONTO The Future of the Live Stock Industry The arrival of peace has created new conditions in the export of meat and produce and some uncertainty in the minds of Canadian farmers as to future markets. Informjjtion in the hands of The Honorable T. A. Crerar. Minister of Agriculture, convinces She tore open the letter and l>e- held it up at arm's length, her bosom window just in time to see John lead-, from the livit^jr-room strcKie John in "that is," he added severely, "if you, u. i. i,„ » . •. <. ,-,, came imrnedialclv engrossed by the, heaving with unexpected emotion at'ling Bcppo out to be admirecl. i full evening <?ress, a majestic, per-; promise to treat him better. So you j "."'' ^^'^^ *"" export marivet wjil "con- lines from her own pen, written sixltho sight. ^ohn. too, had a prized possession. j feet John as he had looked back! didn't know he was lost, eh? Well., tmue to absorb at lirm prices, as corn- months before to her dfcarest girll Her wedding gown! As she gazed, It was a thoroughbred riding horse, ! home. | whe^e in tarnation did you think lie | F^"_'|^i^'^^_ ^tj.^f'^*^.. .°^. _„.?j .' friend back ip Toronto, her own fonn- 1 faces rose in tiers before h?r, glad, j the gift of a wealthy Ontario uncle, i He stoppeih in the doorway "Why didn't yt)U wearâ€"" er home. It was like meeting a,tende» faces with shining eyes and' It had been presented to John when 'Sh!" cautioned Eleanor. "Don't t^host of her.eelf to come face to facol«miling lips â€" her friends as she had j he came West, the uncle's idea of ^vith her thoughts of six months ago! looked upon them when .nhe had turn-J ranching being, apparently, to mount »et down in black and white. ed from the altar by John's (side a a blooded steed and ride over vast "John built ou» little homo him- year ago. She remembered how her 'estates each day. John had iwt! first?" self," she read. "And what do youj slippered feet had scarcely Fcemed: que»tioned his necessity for the beau- She led him to the centre of the liv, suppose I havo in the kitchen? A to touch the rose-strewn ai.sle, andjtiful creature, but had accepted him , fug-room and touched his eyes light- shfr felt as if she were again floating! enthusiastically because hi.s natural ly with hur fingers tips to close them to the majestic tones of the organ re- j love of animals had been intensified ! He heard a pulling and straining sink!" Just where it ought to be, I Huppose you'p say, but I want yoU to krjow that I'm the ti-'st woman on this co.ssional, her hand enveloped in thej by years of city life. of John's proudly extended j Beppo was never put to the heavy huge bundle lodged at his feet. „ ,., I a^icultural products, every pound of '""Yes. I~Iâ€" knew he was ?one,"jbeef, bacon and other r.nimaf pro- John male answer. ^" You see. Uncle Mj''^^^'^ ^^at Ca-i-ida can supply Ju spoil things Ly asking any questions! Steve, I soldâ€" I mean, I loaned him ! J'';'^"'"? ^^e situaaon the Honor- to-night. Shall we have- our gifts) to a ditch rider at the irrigation' aWe Mr. Crerar said: In view of camp. lie must have broken away." thL> great scarcity ot cattle and live Eleanor could hold in -no longer. stock of all kinds m Europe, and be^ "But it's all so wonderful! \\Tiat I "use of the great uemand for hve bruught you away out here. Uncle I ^todc and hve stock products of all Steve'^'' kinds sure to continue for soma Uncie Steve emitted a thunderous years at least, I am going to ask the that ended ^vith a final bump and aj tract to have a sink. I curve "Our home ha.«! jujit two rooms. The' iirm. A queer noise 'brought her to: farm implements, never liitched at| "Wait a minute," he begged, and ccmbination liviug.Toom and bed- the present with a start. It was thei all, in fact. room i* 16 by IC, and the dining- teakettle boiling over! | because he didn't ha%'e a saddle. Once [the drawer a tiny jewel case which room a«d kitchen is 9 by IC. " John There seems to be a -teakettle in! he had tried him bareback, but. being! he presented to her. htained the living-room woodwork in .the life of everyono. As she-walk- an inexperienced mount, he had notj "Now!" ho announced, and botli be- Beppo, came bu.^y with w^ppin; firmers and live stock men of Caii- I've owned ' *'^* '•'' miintain their breedinjj opera- brown mission, to match the fund- icd to the stove to set the kettle back tur» we bought. We have one large window in the front, where we get a hoautiful view of the mountains in the distance, and the rest of the win- dows are the small-cottage style. I have curtained them in scrim. Our vug' is tan and the walls are covered with burlap. Our bed pulls up to the wall in daytime and dogs service as a mantel. So you see, Eva, when v.'e get our pictures h^ing it will be very homelike." Elear.or looked around. The pic- tures were hung. It was homelike. "Ther.-^ isn't much room for argu :hcr hand.^ were unloosing the fasten- ings of her gingham house dress?, but in a moment a new thought assailed her. Suppose â€" .vuppo?e she had changed too much! The absurdity of the thought was lost upon her, and, she .sprang in real anxiety to the narrow mirror that hung over her sewing machine, and 'stood staring into her own reflection with tense interest. Except for the lines which fatigue had deepened around her mouth, there was nbthing especially the mattor witli what she saw. Her hair It was nice hair, red uffaw. "That's a goo<l on<>. * .^ v,....â„¢. . John could not ride him, stepping to the table, he droiv from the IGO acres alongside of vou here t»0"« <»i a \'''»-'' ""'e ssa.e, to properly â- â- â-  â-  for the last four years. li, f^t. 1 1 finish ad feeding stock, and to coa- ser.t the* agent to John in the first, «"^t.«" /ood breeding fem;ues and place for the very purpose of ^^altingi to stUl further improve Ihair herds you out here. I'm uort of .,arti«ilar and flocks by using even greater care As John rose from hi'^ stooping about my neighbors, you st'e. Wherein the- seleeticu ol^tbe stre. .. cared to repeat the trial, therefore, wa.> enjoyed only through the medium of caresses and groom- j posture their eyes met in a peculiar you going?"' he broke oft" to inquire jng and display to visitors, as great | look. It was not anger, nor sur â- i nient in my little kitchen," she con- 'still waved. tinued in the letter, "bul, there arc brown with gold glints in it. Her It was advantage.M in being iible to stand in the middle >f the floor and reach I'verylhinp u want." And 111 !i came the details in ar- rangement of the kitchen, told with such aecurnry that Eva might have entered in the nigbl and have put her hand on any pot or kettle. WThile this wa« a truthful descrip- tion of her new home, Uiere was something which Eleanor had not told about her arrival in the little town of Murvalo, and that was of th.e big lump that had come into her tliroat when the train began to slov/ down for the stiitiun and her eyes forchea(i wasn't intellectual, too low for soaring intellect, but it was broad and smooth. No fault was to be found with the brown eyes, and the nose was unobjectionable except for the faint, hardly visible glints of a few freckles which last sum- mer's sun had whipped into being. Reasiiured that she would be spared the pain of seeing an old-worn face above her beluvtd gown, she caught up the weddinjc dress and with a few deft motions slipped it over her head. Then she became absorbed before the n-arrow mirror in an endeavor to get an accurate reflection of herself in could .see nolliing but miles and miles | toto by presenting a rapid succession of sagebrush from tha car window, of longitudinal strips, Timidly she had touched John's coat- sleeve and strained back the tears -as she had asked: "Why, John, why â€" where is Mur- vale? Where is the town, John?" â- And how sweet and patient and jolly he had looked when ho had bent down to tay: "Cheer up, dearie. There's a cow standing iiij^ front of it." AthI then they had both laughed and the day had been saved. Jolin was always wiving the day. Eleanor was the only woman on the tract who had a sink. Chri.-:tm:is was but ten days away. She had exactly sUty- Ihrce centj) witli wliich to gut a pres- ent for Johnâ€" her John! So the thoughts jangled^about in her head. She returned to the letter. "I really haven't had time (o get homesick and I tliink I'll keep so busy that I never .siiall luivo the time I know that you and all Suddenly the <ioor behind her burst open. She wheeled, and confronted the pop-eyed countenan^c of Mrs. Valentine, wife of the chief construc- tion engineer for the big irrigation project of which John and Eleanor owned eighty acres. Mrs. Valen- tiue's love of finery was attested by one glance at her purple hro.ad- clothe<l person. She was very short and very fatâ€" one of those women who change when they reach thirty, become g'*d, simple, and fat, and then do not change any more at all. "Oh!" she gasped at Kleanor. "Oh!" Eleanor returned in startled echo. Then .she recovered enough to add explainingly: "My wedding dress." Love fied touch appreciatively with a pudgy forefinger the delicate tracery of lilies 'Lovely, perfectly lovely, my dear!" gus'ed IWrs. Valentine, advancing to as Eleanor suddenly turned away, j S o g. At the kitchen door she turned. | Tell us thou clear and heav'nly tonsa'-, "I'm going to tell Mrs. Valentine , Where is the Babe that lately sprung? that I shall be gl&d to loan her my. Lies he the lily banks among? wedding gown," she said hanpily. i .,,, . .. , « '' * ' 'Or say if thus new birth of ours Sloops' la.M within some ark of flower?, Spi'.usled witli dewlight: thou cansi clear All doubts andjnanilest the where., Declare to us, bright star, if we shal' seek Him in the luornliig'r. IdUMhing lUock, Or search the beds of spices tiiroujjU To find him out? --Ilobert Ilsrrielc. propondcranoe to drag he? mind, wil ly-nilly, bi.ck to the little Wime they had left. A iid never had this feel- ^xr^^ir:'-^-' â- â- â€¢â-  â- 'â- â€¢t^i U^iccoon Trapping Methods. After finding raccoon runs audi trails near lake or stream, set trap j out in water deep enough to cover it. ' Then cut two separate pieces of brush, scent with the best raccoon bait, and place one on each side of, the trap. Or the trap may be con- cealed in a path' made by the coon, covered" carefully "with lloose earth and baited. Ou catching the scent the coon will be sure to investigate. •Another good place to set coon traps is at the mouth of small creeks or at the bottom of old logs that have, fallen across a stream. | Coons are attracted by bright ob- ; jecta and always investigate the un- ' usual. In the majority of cases their, curiosity provesi fatal to them. A bright tin, tish to be attached to the pan of the trap will glitter in the ' sun or moonlight and will draw the' coon over to the trap. ! Ill preparing for the markot coon ! should be taken oft" open. , When; trapped in the northern and centi^ali sections of the co'.mti'y, the furs \ should bo stretched in their natu(;al i shape, cure being taken not to over- ; stretch. Southern pelts shoukl bo! stretched as nmirly ' square as pos- 1 sible. All superfluous meat and fat j should be ^removed, but the peltj should not be scraped too closely. Skins should be dried in cool place,) in upon the bodice, the work of Elean- jewels. In the long mcantimes hej Then, with a laugh that held in it "*>* In sun or near fire. They are' pastured contently in the corral or a sob and a myraid of unreadable 'ready to ship when dry enough to champed impatiently in his stall. [things, Ek'anor wont straight to her j hold thdr shape. Eleanor did not know it, buti ^""band, warm lir.s and arms and ^ ^ thoughts of Christmas had also : starry eyes. j come to John. Driving home from ' "Dearie," he .whisncred, "I'm go- town one evening he had wondered \ ing to put my Cm-istmas present about it. She needed a » sweater | away for a while. It's â€" it's too nice coat and a pair of heavy mountain ! to use right away." boots, ho thought, and then a feeling! "Oh, John, don't yolT like it?" she of shame swept over him. Eleanor i asked with a catch in her voice. was the same Eleanor, whether city ' "It isn't that, little wife," he con- dweller or rancher's wife. And he lov-, fessed, giving .her a mighty squeeze. ed her, not because she workoet hard "I may as well be honest. Y'ou see and wa.^ helpful, but because she had | I â€" well, I can't use that handsome nice hair, red-brown with gold | saddle because I sold Beppo to get glints in it, and a forehead that this," and he pointed to the jewel wasn't intellectual, perhaps, but was caa*- _ broad and smooth; because no fault I "John! Did you? Why, how funny! cojild be found with her brown cyesi I can't wear my pearls either because and her nose had a few glints of I sold my wedding dress to got- - POULTRY of all kiada. Bitter quality preferred. Write for prlcSs. STANFORD'S, Limited 128 Mansfield St. • - Montreal RAW FURS-. will voy Iil«l!«st market wrinsa for RAW FUR8 and GINSENG ROOT 2J years o( rtiltable trijl^r.g:. •ererencw â€" I'li'.oh Bk. of Cu:iad:i. Write for rrt<^-e List and Tags N SiLVFR =20 8r. F»cl St. \V. "Dearie," he whispered, "I'm going to put my Christmas present for a while. It's â€" it's too nice to use right away." an object of pride, no doubt, as ] prise, nor disapproval, our friends are still wondering why' of the "valley embroidcrecl in pearls j Joseph's coat or the Queen of Sheba'sJThey simply stared. wc came out here. John came M.nrch to prepare the way •when you thought it was a busintes trip. For months there had been a heavy black nor horror. or's own fingers, "I wonderâ€" No, I shouldn't dare ask it," she declared with a ponder- cloud over our little home by th." lake.j ous sigh. "Clothes are such a prob- It seems to me like a nightmare nnwilem out here. You wouldn't, I sup- â€" those terrible day.n whon John hail pose -" Once more she stopped. to .'.'tagger home from work in Fpmi-| Eleanor stared innuiringly. What blindness. And then came the ver-' favor could the chief's wife possibly diet of the specialistâ€"unless John! wish of her? Mrs. Valentine was could break entirely away from the' like a roly-poly kitten whom you hat- offit;!;, abandon his law, and live out ed to deny things, of doors he v.ould be blind In a few] "What is it?" Eleanor asked en- months." rouraglngly'. In apito of her cheerful resolve not "I renlly oughtn't to ask it. The to be homtMlck, and in spite of the Oddfellow's Ball is to be on January work whi.h had kept Eleanor's fin- 1 fourth. We have received an invi- gern constantly bu.sy, there had been I tation, and Jim has to be in Calgary d:iy» when h<r heart was so heavy that very week. It seems too that it seetne^l by virtue of its very good a chance to lose, but I haven't The Highest Price lis. RAW FURS to UB, no matter wi:j.!: quantity. Ae pay the highest price, u.Ibo express charges. Try once and you aro assirro.l ot satisfaction. ABBEY FUR COMPANY 310 St. Paul W. Montreal. P.Q- U»f«rfuce; Biiuic oT HoeiielaCii. St. Henry. iM biisliK-.i-- f.jr 30 yoara. anything to wear â€" not anything! You wouldn't sell â€" " she fingered the bugled sleeve suggestively. Kleanor ing seemed ha.-dcr to conquer than in drew back as if stung by the touch these days just l;efore Chrintmas. She miflsed the bu.-tlo .ind hum, the .«hop- )>ing horde, the gaylj trimmed store windows and red Santas on the street corners, the parcel Inden delivery wagons- all of which bespoke for we«ks beforehand, in the city, of pre- parations for the holiday se.ison. Out hero- well, «wen the gieat thrin of cnipire-bnilding had not yet had time to overcome *er love for the old order. Choras 'went on, I hickcnf wer« tended, cows milked, horses kd to water, fences patched. Where wore nny hint,.* of tlirllU 1o comet .\ny sweet niyrteny of an ticipated Ji>ya? "Oh, I couldn't, Mrs. Valentine. It's my wedding dress. I made it every stitch myself ami it's the dear- est thing I own." Mrs. Valentine turned away with n pouty look of defeat. ".lust as you feel about it. It's « drp.-'m, and the style's as good as whi'n it was made. Hand embroidery is al.*ays good, and especially in licarls. The fullness about ihe waist could eR,5lly ho adjusted to lit me. If you should change your mind, I'll "gl'.v y''ii â€"fifty dollars for it," After Mr.i. Valentine's visit, Klean-| ar,,| or, as a vunt to her feelings, plunged Ir.to a frflni-y of housse-cleaning. With freckles on it; because she had an adorable mouth that, for ail it had a tired droop in the last few --jnonths, still seemed made only for smiles and kisses. «k' Hi>tly he rebuked the thooBhts that had linked her Christmas with a sweater coat and mountain boots. He remembered a day when they had stood in front of a jeweler's window. Every shade and glitter known to this," and she tapped the saddle. At the same moment they both straightened to a listening attitude. "It sounded like a sleigh," she whispered. "ijsteni" "Uncle Steve?' they both cried in unison a few moments later to the muffled figure .stamping himself free of snow on their little back porch. "Merry Christmas!" came from under the mufflers, accompanied by Back horn" there wou\J Iiave beenjvan prmfu! of garments to be shaken a big dinner on Christmas eve, with she wpr.t o'.it to the clothesline in the gueat* and giWs and goad things b,i>l: yird. She was surprised to to eat, and John would havo worn his' h -i. nnJ, shielding her eyes iridescence was caught and lay gold- |a plumo of frosty breath imprisoned in the purple bed of that "How in the world â€" Do come in to window; a fortune in green fire, an-] the fire. When did you â€" "Why didn't dhor in red flame, another in costly , you tell usâ€"" mliile light, heside the beautiful j "Hold on! Hold on!" begged Uncle gle.im «f turquoise, topaz, aupphire, ! Steve.- Turning^ to John he said lade. • j sternly: ^ , "What will you have?" he had! "What kind of a stock raiser are laughingly inquired of her. j you, young man, to leave a thor- "Oh, that!" she had glowed back oughbred, Ontario-raised ^orse ^ut over her blaak muff at him. "It] 'in this weather?" would look so sweet with my wo<lding "Feii'io? Whst do you mean. Uncle sown." Steve? Be.ipo is-isn'l here. Heâ€"" Christmas Carol. The earth has grov.'U oUl with its bur- don of cure but at Christmas It always is young. The heart of the jewel burns lustrous "^ind fair Anil Its soul lull of music bursts tortti on the air %\'heii the sung ot the Jmewls is sung. You Can't Afford to take chances ! ! ! â-  Send your RAW FURS It Is coming. Old Kurth.^ is coming to-night! On the 8UOW flakes which cover thy Hod ; The feet of tlxe ("hrlst-child tolls gchtle iiutl white, And ttie voice of the Christ-child tells out with ilellsht That^anklnd are thP' children of God. The feet (-f the humblest may waHi In the flold Whert' the feet of the Holiest trod,- Thls, then, is the niuvvel to mortals r»> vealed W'lien Wxv ,silvcry trunutets ot Christ- mas havo pealed That mankind are the children of Hod. â€"Phillips Uroolt*. Chrictmas Day, 1918. He shall come do\* n Ukn showers \'\^v>\\ Iho fniUtnl earth; And love, Joy. hope, like flowers. Spring In his path to birth; Befo'.o him on the mountains Shall Peacfi, the herald ro; And Itlg'.iteousnesH, la fountains, from hill to valley floMf. 42a St. Paul SI. Wast MONTREAL Beln( manuhciurert, and not buying to re- %r\\ w»aln'*) (a>tur« th»(air«(it (taijingand li>« Iii||hes( mdrfet pricea. Quick returns) flua>\bur FIIRS Tedatx lb S \\ Cl ii li si it F4 a a tl : We want \nHtloBS ef wuskrat. ukunk, .-t«in,'nintt,opn«iL'm,fo\,woWâ€" evcoiabWt I ikiM-aixi will pay spot: ca»b. l>l«tW(t k prices! ruiistru 9 rcilaMe grjaioK get» yoii 1 •T«ty ceat of vaKi* hi ytiir l<i-.« Wcnevw proiniso inipos?ib!« Vices tiJ then cut, down on Ihe gride. What your (i,r» air- wotth Is n hat w« par- and wa pajtiafuV. . Ctirck Uf fit you with\n 24 hourt. Write for Rrw Slihminc Tac* and Trap- ptfii. Oi.k!5, Miiktt Rcpurts, etc. ^_ FonstenBros. &Co. [ '««> FBM>t«« BalMtn* ST.?.OVJIS,MO.' na lYap- i