The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1906-12-14

| Nv hen l. bllng nome man ike
Partridge. a man of brains and educa-
ton, it is strange that you can't ap-
pear as if you knew what he was talk
ing about. If you don't know any
thing about history, for PHYS sake
need you say so? I'd read until I
did know something if l were in your
placev'
The tone as we'll as the words seem.
ed brutal to Mrs Hamilton. She con-
trolled herself by great effort.
II would like to read. | would like
to be thoroughly well-read woman.
But with the house and the children
and the sewing and the cooking, /
really cannot get the time"
Fudge! Nonsense! Where there
is will there is way"
"Net always"
Mr.. Hamilton resumed his restless
pacing of the room. "I'd find time to
know something about my owr coun.
try, l guess" he declared finally.
Mrs. Hamilton got up to leave the
room. There was still an hours
work to be done down stairs. she
said.
Fudge? Nonsensel'' retorted her
husband.
A few evenings later MIR. Hamilton
came home to his supper at the usual
hour. He opened the door with his
latch key and found himself in an un-
lighted hall.
"Clara!" he called.
"Yes. What is it?"
"The gas isn't lighted and the hall
is as dark as pocket"
No response came from the sewing.
room at the end of the hall, from which
faint stream of light issued. Stumb-
ling toward it Mr.. Hamilton uttered
an exclamation of surprise as he push.
ed the door open. In the one large
easy chair sat his wife. Upon the
table beside her was shaded lamp.
In her hand was large book and upon
its pages her eyes were fixed. She
did not look up when he entered the
room and walked up to the table.
After moments stealthy scrutiny
Of her..face he turned away. He went
back into the hall and struck a match
noisily and lighted the gas. Then,
feeling bis way, be went down stairs.
Instead of the fright, cheerful dining
room, with the table attraotively
spread for the evening meal, he found
darkness.
Uttering purposely loud exclanaa-
tion of disgust, be went into the kitch'
en-. Here, too, was darkness. Strik-
ing several matches he at last sue
ceeded in reaching the gas. He rub.
bed his eyes when the strong light
| filled the room. In the sink were the
breakfast dishes, unwashed; on the ia.
BILE were plates of broken food; on the
stove were the unwashed kettles and
pans.
Mr.. Hamilton STROBE through the
cold room and called to his wife:
"Caral What has happened down
here? Has the range given out?-
Where is supperI"
No reply came. He hurried up
stairs breathing.
"Clara, what's the matter?'
Mrs. Hamilton turned page and
read with absorbed attention.
"Claral" shouted her husband from
the doorway.
She looked at him for moment.
"Not so loud, pleased" she said turn.
in to her book.
"What's the matter? Clara, say,
what has happened to the range!"
Mrs. Hamilton turned another
page.
A sudden fear siezed upon her hus-
band. Insanity! She had lost her
senses.
He stole softly across the carpet
and grasped the book she held.
"Don't!" she said. "Prsy go away.
You are interrupting me-"
"Claral Are you sick, or are you
crazy?'
"Sick? No. Go away, do. l am
so interested"
Her tone was natural. Mr.. Hamil-
ton discarded his momentary theory
of insanity. His voice became more
imperative.
"It is supper timel where are the
children? Where is the supper?
Clara" loudly" where is the sup
peri"
Mrs. Hamilton partially closed her
book and looked at him.
| UThe SINNER YOu said the sub.