The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1895-12-25
p SW6et Spinstor.

mingS, II can't seem to sense IL, that III
80 near Christmas"
''Well, l guess you would, if you had
as much to do as l have" snapped heI
sister in-law. But some folks can al
ways ake things easy
II don't think you need talk like that
Susan" returned Patience, I'm aIwa 81
wilIin' to help, an I calculate to pay my
way
'.Humph," retorted Susan, with an ag.
grcssive sniff, "what do old maids know
'bou= the cares of housekeepin', I'd like &c
know
Now, Susan" said Patience the color
rising in her delicate face. .'if you say SC
I'll go right out in the kitchen this minute
an take hold of the baking"
well, 1 should think you'd know that
I'd ruther you'd keep at work on that
suit of Jim's. There he is wearin' his last
pair of pants, and L expect any minute
when he'll come through the knees-to say
uothin'" of the seat returned Susan, in
aggrieved tones. II never did see such
young ones he is for wearin' out
clcihes,'; she continued complacently, her
voice softening, for little Jim was her one
The elder woman sighed as she bent over
her work.
Patience" she said to herself. Seems
though they must know I'd Need n lot, or
they wouldn't give me that name"
Susan in the meantimc had gone out into
the kitchen, and was stirring round in
a lively manner among the cooking uten-
sils. MAXIM things hum as her more
easy-going husband was wont to remark.
Presently Patience became aware. from
the cessation of domestic clatter, and the
sound of voices in animated conversation,
that Susan had a visitor.
Don't See what made 'em come in the
hart M "A, IL, hur wi f..al-
ing of regret. that she was missing a little
innocent gossip.
But she refrained from going to see who
1t was from a feeling thai her sistcr-in-aw
wouldn't like it-and Susan was little
'difficult' sometimes. So she continued
at her work. After awhile the caller de-
parted and Susan came into the sitting
room in a state of repressed excitement.
Don't you think. May Barrow's been
here!" she exclaimed.
Il want to know" SAID Patience in
pleased surprise. I'D like to have seen
May myself Why didn't you bring her i'll
here"
We'll, calcula ted to- said Susan,
looking little confused, but we got To-
talkin', an all at once May said she must
60, an told me to give her love to you"
Much obliged returned Patience, po-
ntely.
I've got news for ynu,' ventured Susan,
cycling her doubtfully. 'wh u do you
s'pose is guin' tn get married?''
Il sure I dunno" replied Patience. alb
sently- She was feeling disappointed at
not seeing May.
well, it's Squire Willard, an he's goin'
to marry wilder woman from Linebrook.
with two gruwn-up daughters. What do
you think of that?'
Il s'pose he's got right to-" said Pa
tience dcriantly, but her fingers We're
trembling and she bent her head still
lower over her work.
For my part, l must say I think he's
treatin somebody else pretty mean" said
Susan, after all his comm here ST. fire.
quent the last year.
Patience held her head up proudly at this
1nsinuatiou. I'D have you understand.
Susan" said she, that Squire Willards
free to marry whoever he likes; it's nothin'
to met
We'll, you needn't get huffy bout it,
muttcrod Susan as she went out Ia resume
her onslaught ON the pans and kettles.
Poor Miss Patiencel She had secretly adj
mirCd Nat Willard all her life. As a hand
some young man he had kept company"
with pretty Pattie Cummings but when he
had married his cousin, the old squire's
ward. Pattie had tried to put all thought
of him out Of her heart. But no other Of
her numerous beaux had found favor in her
sight.
Now Nat who had succeeded to his fathers
title. had been a widower for several years
and if This renewed attentions TO his old
sweetheart had caused her to build some
delightful air castles who can wonder or
blame her, even is she had passed her thirty
sixth birthday and was 'old enough to
know better"
So it is rot surprising that Miss Patience
worked huttonholes and felled seams on
little Jim's new suit with heavy heart
for the remainder of the day.
However, she comforted herself with the
philosophic reflection that nobody ever
felt 50 bad that they didn't feel better
some tirne''
Christmas Day passed uneventfully. There
was the usual turkey and plum pudding
and little else to remind one that it was
n holiday. The member of the family were
reserving themselves for evening, when
they were going to Linebrook to attend a
Christmas festival held in the church, the
principal feature of which was Christmas
tree.
Patience rad never seen one. and would
have enjoyed going, but here wasn't
room for Der in the sleigh. and besides ii
never seemed Ia occur Ia her brother or
his wife. that the .'old maid" could be in
terested in any sort of amusement.
So she resigned herself to a lonely even
ing at home.
Now. Patience Cummings there's no
mopin' lowed" she soIiloquized, trying
to dispel the forlorn feeling that came over
her, as she came back into the big empty
sitting room, after seeing the rest of the ,
family off.
You're jest goin' TO fetch some cider'n
apples, an pop some corn an have a real
good time"
Acting on this resolution she brought in
from the pantry a dish of rosy-cheeked
apples and ears of yellow corn. She was
just seating herself to shell the corn, when
she started up with smile on her face.
" Why shouldn't T." she eXcla lined. |
"Chris' mas don't come none too often" |
Lighting n candle she went IN to her |
little room under the caves She put the |
light down on the old-fashioned mabog. |
gany bureau. and opening her closet door, |
took down her two, and only, highly priced |
silk gowns.
One delicate dove color. had been her |
mothers wedding gown, and with slight al
feratfons, from time to time, had servet. |
Patience on those rare occasions when some |
thing extraordinary in the way of dress |
was required. The other was q steady
going black silk.
She regarded them lovingly, but critI- I
cally, withal.
'''Twould be moro sensible to put on
the black" she argued, smoothing the |
ruchings in neck and sleeves. "But the
others more dressy-an' I've a good mind
10 wear it, no, KNOWN when III have an
other chance, b1ieve Will"
And SHE resolutely replaced the black
dress on Its pegs, and hastily-for the
pom was cold-arrayed herself in the
Rre pretentious garb OF former days
hat done. she arranged her still
dant fair hair high up on her head,
put In high-topped shell comb-1l
her niother's-and regarded herself |
Ugly In the small looking-glass.
>er cheeks hurned -