The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1894-12-22

Ihat Is not KIND, Molly; neither Is II
Ike you to say it, and, somewhat offend
ed, Mr. Winship proceeded to button him
self inside his oyercoat
He had fallen into fond habit of Railways
kissing his wife goodbye when he left the
house; but this morning her reproachful
brown eyes were absolutely turned away,
and she looked so thoroughly unkissable,
that, after fidgeting about for moment Oh
two, he hastily opened the door, and went
out without one backward glance.
A falling out with Molly was sufi
ciently uncommon occurrence to render him
uncomfortable for the day; and he went
home at night wiling to purchase peace at
almost any price.
His wife met him with gentle dignity
that limited of sealskin, but much to his
delight she did not mention it.
He knew that his circumstances forbade
any unnecessary outlay; that in time Molly
herself would see how impossible it was for
him to grant her extravagant request; and
yet the martyr-ike resignation perceptible
in every glance, cut hint cut him like
a knife.
AS for Molly, she was too womanly to
fret, tease, or render herself in any way
obnoxious.
She accepted the inevitable calmly; gave
up her visit, and her hopes of annihilating
Erasmus betrothed, with few secret tears,
and great outward composure.
All the same she felt keenly the injus-
tiee of the deprivation.
Looking back over all the days of her
married life, she could see herself careful,
prudent, economical, tidy house-wife, a
thrifty help meet; and what had been heI
reward?
Her heart hardened, the martyr lines
deepened, gloom that had in it no hint
of Christmas jollity, fell upon the little
household
A gloom that darkened more and more
as the holiday season approached.
She could not 20 out of doors with any
comfort; for the very shop windows glared
at her derisively, and Knocked the unsatis-
fed belongings of her soul,
She never stepped into the street, but
some fortunate woman buttoned inside Of
a garment of rich brown fur, sailed by, anC
destroyed her peace of mind.
Once Charley caught her looking at al
overdressed dummy, that stood seductively
in a doorway; wrapped in a particularly
costly and beautiful fur cloak.
When she perceived her husband, she
turned upon him eyes full of enraptureC
entreaty-and tears.
The tears were a sudden inspiration; bu
they were large of their age, and she fell
that they must be in measure effective.
Much to her surprise, he did not appear
in the least touched; on the contrary, hC
spoke quite impatiently.
why, Molly Winship : said he,
''how childish you are growing do yot
think that seven hundred dollar cloal
would harmonize with my last year s over
coat p
If you really need an outside garment
why not get one of those pretty plusl
wraps :?
Plush p cried Molly, fine scon
flashing across her sweet, indignant face
Plush, indeed / would't wear it
that is asking for bread and getting ston'
with vengeance,
Without another word, she turned anC
walked rapidly away, leaving him hal
amused, and wholly bewildered.
When she reached home she folded VI
very carefully certain article that haC
been for some time the companion of al
her spare hours.
1t was a gentlemen gown of dark blut
flannel, faced with cardinal satin, anC
adorned with very splendid cord and tas
sells.
There has been good many stitches, ;
good deal of time, and not little self de
NAL put into that dainty garment; bu
Molly folded it unrelentingly, and hid it il
an unused drawer, along with some tende
memories of past sweet surprises.
She was very sure that all pleasure was
simply memory.
Her husband had ceased to care for her
the future stretched before her. furles
waste, loveless and desolate
The day before Christmas, when Charley
asked for her order, she told him sOberl,
that she needed nothing.
you have ignored Christmas this year,
said she; ''the only gift that | cared for,
you have refused me; and so little has tn,
blessed spirit of the day affected you, thai
not even a tree in our parlor, or wreath il
our window, or so much as sprig of holly
over our door, tells of the happy Christmas
time.
The day ought to mean more than eat
ing and drinking; do not care to celebrate
it only on my table, when its beRedictiOr
does not rest upon our home. or in oul
hearts.
Mr.. Winship listened blankly.
1t was an old trick of Molly's to preach
a little sermon where other woman would
have scolded.
In times past her husband had been
rather proud of her well turned sentences,
just now. they lacerated his tenderest feel
ings.
Good heavens, Molly r cried he a
never intended to ignore Christmas for
got the green stuff, to be sure; but Of
course shall make you present, and
expect one from you; not sealskin over
coat; something useful and inexpensive
would please me much more.
Presents of that sort show the GOOD
will of the giver quite as much as reek-
lessly extravagant ones.
Very well, said Molly, I will try
to please you.
I'VE viii have useful and inexpeH
siye dinner to match; can pick up any
thing"
1t was not cheering prospect; and Mr.
Winship, although he did not care over
much for the good things on the table
sighed in spite of himself, realizing all tht
narrowing possibilities Of picked-up din
der.
The day was a most tormenting one Il
Molly.
Carts full Of the most enticing provisions