The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1895-12-20
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ARGOH RHTERV Rl1IDE
NO. SO.
ABSOLUTELY PURE

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 It's benediction
does not rest upon our home, or in our
hearts,
Mr.. Winship listened blankly.
1t was an old trick of Molly's to preach
little sermon where other women 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! cried he, Il
never intended to ignore Christmas. l
forgot the green stuff, to be sure; but of
course l shall make you present, and
expect one from you; not sealskin oyer
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 reck-
lessly extravagent ones"
Very WELL, said Molly, Il will try to
please you"
1--WE will have useful and inexpensive
dinner to match; can pick up anything"
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 the
narrowing possibilities of picked-up din
der
The day was most tormenting one to
Molly.
Carts full of the most enticing provis-
ions ratified by the house continually.
The memory of Christmas dinners long
since eaten haunted her, while weak.
wifely longing to surprise her husband
with an appropriate and appetizing meal
strove for the mastery over her determi-
nation to punish him as he deserved
Just at dush she went out and purchas-
ed a useful and inexpensive present.
She found the very thing in gentle
mems furnishing store
A lively-looking and atrociously ugly
pair of green and purple suspenders
They were very unique of their kind,
highly ornamented with glittering tin
buckles, and terminating in small wooden
wheels
"A man must feel like derrick with
the dreadful things on him." said Molly to
herself, with wicked satisfaction.
"The horrid little wheels will twist
around and punch him every time he
moves, l only hope they will make him
black and blue
Little dreaming of such unwifely de-
sires, Charly Winship came home to din
ner.
1t consisted of a sumptuous display of
table cloth, toast and tea, a vague and un-
substantial reminder of Molly's usual CO.
sy dinners.
1t was not jovial meal, it could not by
any possibility be called a luxurious one;
but apparently Mr.. Winship enjoyed it.
When the dishes WIRE cleared away he
a walk.
II have got to go uptown on business"
he said: Il wish You would go with
me-"
THE shop windows and the crowded
street are worth seeing"
Certainly, if you wish ii" she answer
ed.
Il have not been accustomed to spend
Christmas Eve on the street. but | sup
pose it is an inexpensive way to celebrate"
"WelI, yes" he assented, shamelessly.
1T does not cost a cent if you walk,
md am sure it is harmless and lively
way of amusing ones self"
1t was lively enough out of doors, if
hat was all
Everywhere people were crowding and
ostliny each other.
Shop windows were blazing, shop doors
Christmas cheer in every place Christ
mas greeting on every tongue.
By and by, they left the business part
If the town; the streets grew darker, and
hey met fewer people: but still in the
windows hung Christmas garlands, and
thrill sweet laughter, and faint merry mu
ic, told of happy home gatherings, of
olity and mirth.
Poor Molly's heart sank like lead
The thought of home, of mother and
Alice, and of pretty Prue, the little sister
hat was not yet married to any great, un
ceiling brute of man.
1t had always been a family custom to
make much of Christmas.
At home they were laughing and sing
ng, as they exchanged good wishes and
pretty gifts while she! was out i'll the
cold
To save her life she could NJ. helo oac
little, choking sob.
Charley hearing it, stopped abruptly.
They were just in front of a small, but
aggressively brilliant house
Every window was ablaze, every blind
thrown back, every curtain drawn
Inside, the rooms were like green flow
ers, while holly leaves aad berries, threw
their merry Christmas greetings, in long
shadows, athwart the glistening
snow.
1T is like home" sighed Molly.
'Mother would never have a blind shut,
or curtain drawn, and the house was like
a garden always; they know how to keep
Christmas here"
AS she spoke, the door opened, and a
form that was strangely familiar stood in
the broad flood of outstreaming light.
"They have come they have come!
here is Mollyr' screamed well remem-
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