The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1927-12-30

heart was filled with joy. "'Twas
surely more blessed to give than to re-
ceive," thought Tom, as he trudged
along toward home.
"Now the next move on the checker
board" he thought, lis to get these
things into the house without her
knowing it,"
How could he do it?
Then the thought struck him. He
could get his sister, who lived around
the corner, to call Laurel over by
phone. So, stopping at the first avail
able telephone booth, he did so. Then
when the coast was clear he slipped
into the house and was up to her room
where he spread out the adorable out
fit upon her snowy bed The blue
against the white spread did look
beautiful, even to mans eyes. Why
had he never thought of anything like
this before? Why, it was more fun
than all the parties he had ever at
tended. You see, the true holiday
spirit had hit Tom. and hit him very.
very hard.
Suddenly he heard her call: "Oh
Tom, is that you? Supper is ready
and your favOrite apple dumplings."
ayes, dear, ! am coming" he hur.
riedly replied. as he rushed down two
steps at time.
But as they sat eating, he noticed
that she was not very hungry and
wore sad, tired expression. She, no
doubt, was thinking of the usual New
Years escapade. Tom chuckled with
in as he thought of his glorious sur
prise. He was wondering how to pro-
coed.
After praising the delicious apple
dumplings, for which he only received
faint sickly smile (she was not in
terested in such things just now, he
arose from the table and began to
dress for the evening. When all ready,
he kissed her goodby. and said he was
going to the club. He hated to do 1t,
for it nearly broke his heart to see
her lips tremble as if about to utter a
protest. But she cared too much for
his happiness to interfere. so she only
said:
Il hope you have good time, Tom"
He quickly turned away and left
her standing there. heartsick and
weary. Other years he had not been
able to comprehend; now when it
dawned upon him, he felt like brute
and vowed a secret resolution with
his heart alone never to leave her
again.
Then he rushed around the corner
to his sister and disclosed the whole
beautiful secret. She was delighted
and gave him big brotherly hug and
kiss. Then she said:
"Why. Tom, that is the best thing
you ever did in your life."s
eyes, know it, Dot, and I am
ashamed of myself-but never again."
Then he made a dash for home and
the surprise"
His wife had thrown herself upon
the overstuffed davenport in despair.
to await the awful midnight scene.
She arose quickly, as she heard his
step in the hallway. "He must have
forgotten something. poor dear. or he
wouldn't be back SO early" thought
She
The next moment he rushed in with
loud cry of Happy New Year,
Laurel"
She could hardly believe her own
ears as she gazed at him stupidity.
"Why, what's the trouble, Tom?"
Nothing, my dear, l only came to
get you to spend New Years Eve
with me, for change"
How lovely. Tom. but you forgot
that l have no party outfit"
"Never mind about that. just dress
as quickly as you can, while / glance
through the paper"
She turned from him, the tears
streaming down her face. as she
thought of her only available gown,
an ugly gray cashmere. She could
tear it into shreds, she hated it so.
On the way upstairs she secretly
wished that some disaster had come
upon it, so that she would not be
obliged to wear it.
What revelation, as she opened
the door to her room and beheld the