The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1895-12-20

in astonishment; "Why, Molly darling,
you dress perfectly. Who ever saw YOU
in shabby gown or a dowdy bonnet?
You know that l am not the domestic tyr
ant that your words imply; but really, seal
skin would not become you; it is too osten-
tatious'
That is just what want" said the lit
tie woman honestly. 81 am married; 1 am
old enough, and pretty enough to wear it.
Sara Hammond has written that she is ell
gagged to my old lover, Erasmus Gray; l
want to go home in sealskin and annihilate
her.
Charley Winship took the coaxing face
between the palms of his hands.
Il cannot get you a sea skin, DEAR" he
said; land you must let Sara comfort Eras-
mus in peace for the present, because
cannot possibly spare you at Christmas
time; want you here with me-"
Molly turned her head impatiently
1.-TWO years ago,you studied my comfort
and Wishes" said she; "now you study
your pocket-book. l suppose that is only
natural when wife gets to be an old story"
That is not kind, Molly; neither is it
like you to say it," and somewhat offend
ed, Mr.. Winship proceeded to button him
self inside his overcoat.
He had fallen into fond habit of always
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 tidgeting about for a moment or
two, he hastily opened the door, and went
out without one backward glance.
A falling out with Molly was sufficient
ly uncommon occurrence to render him
uncomfortable for the day; and he went
home at night willing to purchase peace at
almost any price.
His wife met him with gentle dignity
that limited of sealskin, but much to his de-
light 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-lke 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
-, hot
and great outward composure.
All the same she felt keenly the injustice
of the deprivation.
Looking back over the days of her mar
ried life, she could see herself careful, pru-
dent, economical, a tidy house wife, a
thrifty help meet; and what had been her
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 go out of doors with any
comfort: for the very shop windows glared
at her derisively and mocked the unsatis
fed belongings of her soul.
She never stepped into the street, but
some fortunate woman buttoned inside of
garment of rich brown fur, sailed by, and
destroyed her piece of mind.
Once Charley caught her looking at an
overdressed dummy, that stood seductive
ly in doorway; wrapped in IA particularly
costly and beautiful fur coat.
When she preceived her husband, she
turned upon him eyes full of enraptured
entreaty-and tears
The tears were sudden inspirations; but
they were large of their age, and she felt |
that they must be in measure effective
Much to her SURPRISE he did not appear |
in the least touched; on the contrary, he |
spoke quite impatiently.
"Why, Molly Winshipr' said he. chow
childish you are growing! do you think that |
seven hundred dollar cloak would har-
monze with my last years overcoat."
If you really need an outside garment,
why not get one of those pretty plush |
wraps
plush cried Molly fine scorn flash
ing across her sweet, indignant face.
plush, indeed. Wouldn't wear it; that |
is asking for bread and getting stone with |
vengence."
Without another word she turned and |
walked rapidly away, leaving him half |
amused, and wholly bewildered.
When she reached home she folded up
very carefully a certain article that had
been for some time the companion of all
her spare hours.
1t was IA gcntleman's gown of dark blue
flannel, faced with cardinal satin, and
adorned with very splendid cord and tas-
sells
There has been good many stitches, a
good deal of time, and not a little self de-
NAL put into that dainty garment; but Mol
ly folded it unrelentingly, and hid it in an
unusued drawer along with some tender
memories of past sweet surprises.
She was very sure that all pleasure was
simply a memory.
Her husband had ceased to care for her;
the future stretched before her. Il furless
waste. loveless and desolate.
The day before Christmas, when Charley
asked for her order, she told him soberly
that she needed nothing.
You have ignored Christmas this year."
said she; 1.-The only gift that l cared for,
you have refused me; and so little has the
blessed spirit of the day affected you, that
not even a tree in our parlor, or wreath in
our window, or so much as sprig of holly