The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1901-12-20
N N ABEL CLIFFORD was out
IN N Of sorts. There was an I'M
IN happy expression closely
approaching a scnMl nnOn

" happy expression closely
approaching scowl upon
her fresh, young face as she gazed
moodily from the Kitchen window upon
scene bright with the glitter Of sun
light upon fresh-fallen snow. An open
letter lay upon her lap. Her mother
glanced at her anxiously from time to
time on her short journeys to and fro
from kitchen to pantry, and at last
said gently:
Il am sorry about your disappoint-
ment, dear, but suppose it could not
be helped"
ut is all Helen's selfshness,' burst
out Mabel, holly. sShe promised last
summer to spend Christmas with me,
and now because she has had an in
vitation that suits her better she ac-
cepts it, no matter how I feel"
Mabel thought of the rows Of mince
and pumpkin pies on the pantry
shelves, the plump turkey waiting to
be stuffed, the numerous other dainties
prepared for the Christmas holidays,
and Of the zest and energy with which
she had swept and busted, putting the
house in perfect order from cellar to
attic, even to decorating the pictures,
and every available spot with ever
green's, hoping to make the old farm
house attractive to her fastidious
guest. Everything was done, even to
the stoning of the raisins for the plum
pudding. She was aroused from her
greverie by her mothers voice, saying:
Well, declare, If there isn't Maria
Church blowing through the snow,
with market basket on her arm. I
know it must be heavy the way she
carries it. Rob-" to her son, who had
just come in, "if the team is still there
and the load off. go after Miss Church
and drive her home It's enough to
kill her to get her skirts so drabbled."
"All right, Muz," said the good-na-
tured Rob. "Come along, sis, and
don't sit incoming there any longer"
They soon overlook the solitary spin
ster. who calculated with gratifying
emphasis:
For the land sakes! Is that you,
Rob Clifford? guess I'm in luck this
time" and depositing her trembling
form upon the board with sigh of
supreme satisfaction.
After driving couple of miles they
stopped before small frame house
Of forlorn and dismal aspect, doubtless
owing in part to its aloofness from
neighbors.
wait here until come back" said
Rob. "I'm going to drive over to see
Tom Wilson. l won't be gone long,"
and Mabel followed Miss Church into
the house.
1t was very scantily furnished. The
doors were bare, but white as soap and
water could make them. The table
was spotless in its purity. Not a
Epeck of dust could be seen anywhere.
Rugs and mats of all sizes, shapes and
colors- were spread here and there,
seemingly for adornment rather than
use.
They're hern," whispered Mabeps
companion. noticing the girls eyes
flxed upon Them By "her'' Mabel un-
derstood Miss Church to mean the sis
ter who had lived with her and had
died year before.
martha had wonderful gift that
way" she continued. Its surprisin
what she could do right out of hel
head. They're all her make. never
had no taste for it."
Mabel murmured something inaudi
BILE as she contemplated the works OF
art before her. Scroll work Of extra
ordinary design. bouquets of wonder
full flowers of enormous size and pain
full colors. and animals and birds Of
astonishing proportions.
ut must be very, very lonely fol