Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1938-11-24
SHORT
SHORT
STORY

MN alongl'' Turning to
SuOk1 her guests, she ex-
claimed; "Jest as If
he hadn't been goin' ter the; store
Feg'lar three nights week for the
last 20 years"
Jim muttered, Thought I'd tell
ger" and sat down in the kitchen
ito pull on his rubbers, He could
hear Rissie (who thought that he
mad gomez still talking.
| II can read Jim Jest like an open
Book. My birthdays next week, and
can tell yer right now what he's
Aoin' ter give mel One of the lee
uric lamps Dave Halls got in his
Istorei With q blue shade. I seen
him fingerin' the fringe whenever
i've been in the store with him, an
mes asked all manher o. pointed
questions. He's as Simple ter read
Ias Abel" IA
Jim slipped quietly out, mutter-
ing to himself. III the road he
stopped moment. then laughed
and hurried on.
!; On his wife's birthday. Jim went
down to the lower end Of the village
ito work. When he Reached home,
Rissie commanded Him: ''Wash UP
good and properi MIA bennett and
Miss Wendell are comm over fer
my birthday supper"
Jim's eyes twinkled. "'Sgood,"
he muttered, and disappeared into
the bedroom.
When he heard Rissie at the door
admitting her guests, he slipped out
and tucked large box under the Ia
ible just beside her chair.
When they came to the table, Ris-
sic, with well-feigned surprise,
picked UP the two packages which
she found at her place. Admitting
and exclaiming, she opened them,
while the donors simpered in en-
.barrassment.
IA tattin' doiley an an embroid-
cred lowell Amt they jest hand
some, jim? Land, can't thank you
ladies enough"
Rissie looked little questioningly
at Jim, who made no sign, and they
sat down. Rissie felt the box be-
side her, jumped up, and pulled it
out. e - jss
81 declared" she exclaimed. "Is
this present from you. Jim?"'
Jim nodded.
Rissie exchanged a knowing
s glance with her guests. With shaly
Singers she tore off the papers and
opened the carton. While the other
two women stood with bated breath,
she reached in, made a startled
movement of her hand, and drew
out plain glass candle-holder and
a long, ugly, over-decorated yellow
candlel The two women looked at
Jim and then back at Rissie's flush
ing face. -
"How-how lovelyl" they gasped,
at last.
'Jest about At your parlor man.
tel, won't they, Rissie?" Jim piped.
Rissie groped despairingly in the
carton and drew out the other cam
dlestick.
"A pairl" said Mrs. bennett, try
ing to be tactful. 1.-TWO always look
so nice, one on each end"
When the meal was finished Ris-
sic announced "I'm goin' ter make
you folks right ter home now. It's
colder in the front room, so we'll
stay right here in the sittip room. "
Jim drew his rocker up to the
stove and sat down with his feet on
the hearth. n,r,
~ "It's Wednesday night. Amt you
goin' down ter the store, Jim?" Ris-
sic asked
"Nopel" Jim answered. "Guess
I'll stay ter home" -.
What's got inter yerl" Rissie ex-
claimed. -.4 49, 49,,
Conversation Jagged. Rissie fidg-
eted. At last she jumped up.
81 declared l b'lieve it's nicer in
the front room, after ALL"
Her guests followed her, and shiv.
cred Involuntary as they passed
out Of the warmer room. They made
an effort to be cheerful but the
creaking of Jim's chair startled
them, and the front room grew cold.
er. II was early when they pre-
pared to leave, and Rissie hardly
urged them to stay. There was q
tone of pity and condescension ir
their goodnight to Rissie.
Rissie came back from the door
and dropped into a chair. Jim, smil
ing and bearing large box, came
from the bedroom.
"rve got another present fer yer
Rissie," he offered.
Zones enoughl" she snapped.
"It's-it's somethin' you'll like"
He drew out a lamp with a soft
rose-and-blue shade.
''It's somethin' like what Dave
had at the store" he went on, "but
it's nicer. sent ter town. lxnowed
you wouldn't want Mis- bennett tel
see It. Shed be maxim half dozer
Jest like il by tomorrer.
Rissie turned. AS she gazed al
the lamp, her eyes softened with de,
light. 81
Jim chuckled wickedly, II car
read you jest like book, easy a:
Abel"
Rieeia oave n little SIGH NJ dafoa,