The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1906-12-28
Eelect Misrellany.
A New Year Charity.

Bertrsm Wingate closed his desk
with weary sigh as the bell in the
court house tower struck five. The
plans for the Bettler Hospital were
not going very well. There are times
when even ''rising young architect"
ceases to feel the stimulus of his up
ward movement. Wingate paused a
moment before the window to look out
upon the swirling snow which was
fast converting Nicollet avenue into a
white desert.
"Wonder if | can have a carriage to
60 to Minnie Norton's tea? he thought
I've had to buy my dinner at the club
three nights this week. Every one
I recovering from Christmas, suppose,
and too tired to entertain. Club dues
on New Years night with the usual
tips and presents-No, the Eighth
avenue will have to do me-"
He hurried to the hctel and after a
brief toilet boarded a car for park
avenue. The rooms were crowded
when he arrived at the Norton home.
The heavy odor of roses, the suspicion
OF charcoal from the samovar, and,
above all, the animated chatter of the
guests made his head ache, 80 he was
very grateful when Bessie Shaw mo-
toned him intoa deep window seat
upon pretense of consulting him about
favors for the next cotllion. They
were hardly seated when someone
beckoned Bessie away and she left him
with voluble promises to return in a
moment
Wingate leaned back against the
cushions and drew'the heavy draparies
as screen between himself and the
gltterng kaleidoscope of the room.
Presently there was a rustic of skirts
and two ladies seated themselves on
divan beyond the curtain. Wingate
had no desire to play eavesdropper
but his position seemed to desirable
to leave, so with haifclosed eyes he
settled himself to await Bessie's re-
turn. Tue first words of his unseen
neighbors reused him TO instant inter.
est, however, for it was Margaret Lit
tie who spoke.
Now Aunt Madge, what is it this
timer" she asked with a defiant note
in her voice.
"Only one question, Margaret" was
Miss Redmond's calm reply. "Why
have you asked Bertram Wingate to
the New Years dinner?'
"Charity, pure and simple, l assure
you, Aunt Madge," laughed Margaret.
"He doesn't seem to belong anywhere
in particular. New Years is such a
stupid day now that no one receives
ard he has been very nice to me, you
know!'
"He has been more than nice,' said
Miss Redmond gravely. He has
seemed thoroughly devoted for several
months. The New Years dinner has
been family festival with US for many
years because it celebrates your faith
er's birthday as we'll as the general
holiday, and an invitation to that din
ner might seem-'
"Nothing of the sort auntie,' inter-
rupted Margaret. Perhaps it was
thoughtless of pae to ask him to that
dinner but am sure Bertram Win.
gate knows better than to dream he
can draw plans for spending Pspa's
money. Why, | wouldn't think OF
marrying 4 poor man. / should al.
ways wonde: how much l weighed in
the balance Of selection. There's toe
much OF my father IN me to want tC
give something for nothing. Now
with Charlie-"'
80 it is Charlie L"ffingwell, after
alI?" said Miss Redmond
We'll, yes, if you must know,
'an .hed Margaret, "iL's all arranged
but Charlie is putting through whea
deal for papa just now and it wouldn'