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(Copyright.) H! but you couldn't real ly," Molly cried, incred< uioualy. "Yea. I can," Mra. Phelpa lnalated. She bad a fancy to aee bow this pretty creature would take the men of her set. "I can lend you a sown and a bat and wrap, und you can take Vera Pattereon'e place. She haa Jmet telephoned that bar cold la worae and that the can't be with ua for Christina* dinner." "I d lore If Molly's eyjs were like sure. -But?" -There are no bute/ ? Mra. Phelpa aaid calmly. "If I chooae to add an? other guest to my Christmas dinner no one can possibly criticise." "I've never dined In any of the big hotels. Molly confeaaed. "Terry want ad to make me once, but I couldn't? not In my old clothes." "I don'v. see why you dcn't have some nice gowns," Mrs. Phelps said. She had taken a fancy to her little eeamstress; the girl'a youth und beau? ty made her different from he usual cot and dried spinsters v/ho work by the day. "You could go around a lot If you had the tfclngs to wear." Molly shook her head. "There are mother and father and Billy and Babe." she said. "1 have *o help out with the family xpenses, and I mustn't spend everything on myself. "So you just sit at home and stag? nate/* Mrs. Phelps complained. Molly laughed. "Oh. Terry takea me out now and then." ??Who la Terry 1" "Well, he's a very nice boy who likes me." Molly confessed. "And I suppose you'll mirry him aod bo poor the reet of your life." waa Mra, Phelpa' comment. "You're very silly. Molly." Molly began to wonder If she wasn't silly Here waa an opportunity star? ing her In the face. Opportunity to autet rich men, opportunity to wear beautiful clothea. Do you really want me to go to your dinner?" she asked, half timidly. "Of course." Mrs. Phelps said; "and I erant you to try on the gown now." It waa a wonderful gown of white chiffon with the hem heavy with all ear. There was a twlat of white tulle which banded Molly's red gold hair, with a allver roae at the side. The j altppere were sliver, and a little loose em Molly s tiny feet. I **They can be tied on with ribbons," Phelps decided, "and they won't under that long skirt." In front of tae long mirror Molly rw a wonderful vision. Mra. Phelps brought from a box a. wrap of lace and ermine, and rose stored velvet. "I waa afraid that color wouldn't go ' your hair." she said, "but It gives year, distinction, after all." On ber way home, again clothed In bar shabby suit, Molly told Terry about It "She la going to give a Cbiiatmas dinner at the Belvtdere," she said, "and one of ber guests has disap? pointed her. She wsnts me to take law place, and I'm going to do It, Terry." Terry'a face fell. "Then you won't have dinner with us." he said. "We'll snian you, Molly." **Oh. but It's my opportunity," her faos waa glowing. "Think of tho people I'll meet." He did think of the people sha would meet, aa he tramped home alone In the celd twilight. Terry knew something of ' e world, something of the men who would be at that dinner. Babe and Billy protested strongly when they learned that Molly, the tight of the household, was to spend her Christmas evening away from them. "It will spoil all our fun," they said. "Terry will be hero," Molly told them Mother has planned a late dinner. heeuuse he has to work part of the day." Bho felt a little conscience-stricken, however, aa she left them, and not un? til ahe ha J donned the beautiful gown at Mrs. * * sips' could she put the thought of their tearful facea out of her mind. It waa a wonderful experience to ride through the streets In the limou wrapped In the i i r. 1 ik. with a greet bunch of vallev In her hand. She felt like a princess. She had the air of a prln eeee. too. si she swept through the wide eorrldor of the hotel, following Mrs. I'helps Her pleasure waa ended, however, when she met the other guests and sat down at the big round table There wae a confusing display uf knives and forks hi I Sol native wit prevented BSWL It was the men >.. tsewever, who si never been at * ' With the coming of spring the nah a gay retort until now. But the people around her Uvea in a world of theh own. They talked of operas, of sports, of places of which Molly knew noth? ing. She didn't know that her pretty, blushing shyness charmed the multi? millionaire at her left end piqued the curiosity of the ambassador on her right. She was uncomfortable and self-conscious as she tried to fit her stammering little phrases to this new environment. Gradually, as she gained poise, she confessed to herself that she was hav? ing a very stupid time. Ft wasn't a bit like Christmas; although the color scheme of the table was green and red, there was no holly, no mistletoe, just gorgeous American beauties and wide satin ribbons. She bad a vision of the table set in the shabby dining room at home. In the center would be a great bunch of holly, and above It would hang a little wax angel. At one end she saw her father, his knife I cutting through the crackling brown I of the turkey's breast. The delicate fare of the hotel paled in comparison to her mother's cooking. At home there would be large helpings of mashed potatoes and turnips and gravy. The cranberry sauce would be served In big dishes, i As they drove lonie together, Mrs, Phelps said: "You were a succces, my dear. If you will let me, I'll bring you out. Perhaps you will make a grand marriage. It would be a great thing for a girl like you." Molly's response was not enthusias? tic. She did not like to appear un? grateful, bat she had had a most un? happy time. She aad been a stranger In a strange land. When she had changed her dress Mrs. Phelps sent her home in her car. Terry met her at the door. Br.ck of him was the red light of the din? ing-room lamp. Babe and Billy fell on her neck and welcomed her, and fa? ther and mother smiled in the back? ground, j Molly had gifts for all of them. The lilies went on the center of the tab!*-, and she had tied up candies and al-. mends in the corner of her handk' r chief. "I had an awful time hiding j them," she confessed, "but I knew how you'd like them " | She had a red roso for Terry. "The mult! millionaire gave it to me," she said. Mrs. Phelps wan id me to marry him." i Terry looked at her with his he;>rt in his eyes, but he didn't say a word. The Multimillionaire Wante to Meet You Again." Was Molly going to be swallowed up in that strange world, where men had millions and didn't have to work? But Molly was demanding some of her mother's turkey. ' "I hardly ate a thing at dinner," pb? said. "It was awful sitting up there and having people stare at me." They brought it to her with delight, and she had to taste a little bit of ev? erything and praise It. When it was time for Terry to go she went with him to the front door, and they stood for a moment trader the stars. "Will you be going back to them?" Terry asked. Jealously. "Why should I?" Molly asked. "You couldn't go with me, could you, j Terry?" | The next morning, when Molly went j back to her sawing, Mrs. Phelps laid) "The multi-millionaire wants to meet you again. VThell snaTl we [Dal) tc Molly?" "Never," said Molly ealmly. "I an going to marry Ten ;/, and then I j won M have any Hi l r multl million alres, w ill I?" Why We Rejoice. In the manger nt Bethlehem Wai cradled the hope of the world That ? la why Christmas Is the nnlrsrssl fee* tlval. That Is why the world re-1 Joi. et itur the manger must be ? tsrnreted largely in the habe ii < promise of ti..? man and the Bavlor. I It Is nut the birth alone that mal ? hi o> pel; it is also the life, the i as ?ion, the death, the resnrrectioni the ascension Christmas onrrlei ail this in its happy content There la tho flood Shepherd who gave ills life for the sheep, who leadeth His (lock to iroeg pastures and bOStdg still WSterfl and whose honor and good name are pledged to Ills lending us In ways of righteousness and paths of peace and there Is the promise of .lesus that He will In* ttith us 'all the days" even unto the end of the world It Is be? cause of these aspects of the Christ life and boos use of these assurances 1 ' ti -11 rejoices and will ra are beginning to blto and the mem Miss Leonard 's Heathen By Kate Clecves (Copyright. 1911. by Associated Literary I'ress.) May LeOTAaTd'l brother Robert inet her at Manila when the long ocean voyuge waa ended and took her at oik e to a hotel. "After you've had one good night's rest ashore you will leel more hue tackling this cross-country ride to rat)ibi;an." said Robert as they ate their dinner. "It sounds fascinating." said May. her bright eyes drinking in the strange sights about her. "Is the country unprotected? Is there any danger now?" "Not a particle." assured her broth er "The route we are going is a main road, well traveled, and picket? ed along Its length. It will only take us five hours to ride down to my place, but I knew you would be too weary to start this afternoon. Now, tell me all about the folks at home." May proceeded to do so at such leng'iii Fhat U was very ate when they separated for the night and It seemed that her head had scarcely touched its pillow before Robert was calling her to get up and start or* their ride before the heat of the day The dewy freshness of the mornlne awakened her to new life and the gai- j lop along the fine road brought the j color to her cheeks. Behind them at some remote distance there lagged a bullock cart containing May's trunks \ and boxes. Robert Leonard looked at his sis? ter's shining gray eyes and the wisps of brown hair blowing against her pink cheeks and he felt a thrill of pride In her. Walt until his partner. Arthur Scoville. saw her! The only trouble was that Scoville might fall In love with May and. marrying, might ! lose all Interest In the dye-woods In? dustry and go hack to the slates Scoville was interested In other ven? tures, and of course May wouldn't J want to live out here. By the time Robert had his sister married to Arthur Scoville. May had , marveled at his long and gloomy si- j lence. "What's the matter, Hobby?" she asked cheerily. He brightened up at once, chiding j himself for spoiling a glorious ride by i unwarranted fears. "How is the par ?OH getting along?" he asked. May Leonard blushed under his scrutiny. The "parson" was the pas- i tor of the church In which May was an earnest worker and the young j divine had devoted himself ardently to winning the heart of his fair par? ishioner, so that everybody expected wedding bells to chime when May re- j turned from this year's visit to her bra ther. "How'a the parson?" he repeated] teasing!}*, instantly forgetting all. about Arthur Scoville. "Very well," said May seriously "Oh. Robert, he came to see me the night before l sailed and be im pressed it upon me that In coining out here to this unenlightened country I was given an unusual opportunity tc do Cod's work. He said be could se? Cod's hand in it." "How?" asked Robert shortly. "Oh?he said l must lost no oppor tunity to forward the great cause of Christianity?and I believe I prom is 'd him but I am afraid!" ?? Promised Mm?not to marry him?" roared Robert. "Dear n e, no!" cried May. "i bad , to tell htm tnat long ago. We arc ?Imply trb'uds and he is my pastor. I y< u know Robert nodded grimly. "What did he ask you to prointae?" "That l WOUld lose no opportunity to push forward the good work. That I would address every man, woman ? and child tbal came nay way and ask tl I in If they were Christians and all that but somehow I don't think he really knew just how embarrassing it might be, for some of the natlvei her- look ho intelligent, and it's aw fully hard la tell then apart from i the foreigners " "Th-rt are mlaaloni here," obaerved Roberl "! know it Mr Navh said I could ba\ i miel Bni opporiunith i going down Into - im ? country, away from the in! I ' aid I could tie | sort ol a ' vhen I had found a BufhVb nf heatbern here bers of the "Nevi r Sweat" club are r*(Mitr1 ftoMfy the rr?is??on and they ?vcu*c! send some workers down " "He must have thought you were con ing out to work Instead of piny," grow led Robert. "1 suppose he thought 1 wanted to help all I could?be is very good, Robert, but Pm afraid I .mist be very wicked, for 1 don't really want lo ad dress strangers on such a persona! topic." In the distance Robert Leonard saw his houses against the dark back ground of the forest, from which his laborers were bringing out a fortune in dye-woods. Close at hand was a natch of sugar cane growing along? side the road and standing among tne green canes was, a man wnn n curved knife in his hand, cutting down succulent stalks. A white straw hat was pushed hack on his handsome head, reveallni a mop of thick dark hair: he had a brown skin, flashing black eyes and a strong brown throat where his white shirt was open at the collar May pulled her horse to a stand? still and looked back at her brother, who waa lagging behind. "Bobby I believe I'll begin with him!" she said, pointing toward the man. who, appar? ently unconscious of their approach, was swinging away at the sugar cane, whistling as he worked. "Fire ahead." said Hobby, stifling a laugh. "1*11 wait in the shade of this tree. Hut why not confine your self to converting the women and children and let the men alone?" She rode close beside him and ex? plained. "I told Mr. Nash how repug? nant it would be for me and he said that was all the more reason I should do it; I must sacrifice my feelings to the principle of the thing." "Well, go on," said Hobby resign? edly, although a wicked light shone in his eyes. He did not like Mr. Nash and he did love his pretty sister. The man in the cane field did not look up until May's white linen gown flashed In the sunlight. Then he gazed at her, startled, and whipped off his hat; surprise seemed to seal his lirs. for she was a bonny sight on that wonderful morning and he look? ed at her from the crown of her white hat to the tip of her tan riding boot, and drew a long breath. May leaned from the saddle and took courage. "My good man." she began softly, "are you a Christian?" A startled look leaped to the man's eyes and then he said ever so gentlv and courteously, "I hope so. madam " "1 am so glad." ctied May with re? lief. "I hope you will pardon my ask? ing you?only I promised my pastor out home that I would do all I could to convert the?the?er?er?" she paused in confusion. "Heathen?" lie smiled up at her. "Well, if one is going to sift the wheat from the chaff it must all be winnowed. Pray don't distress your self, madam, I have often been ad? dressed by missionaries." "That's such a relief." sighed May. "Good-by." "Good-by." he said, and when she turned her horse once more into the road he bent over his work and re? lieved her of any embarrassment she might have felt afterward. "It wasn't so awfully hard, Hobby." Bhe a^'-ured her brother as they rode on. "It all of them were as courteous as that man?. Why. dear, is this your ? lace?" as he got down and open' d a wide gate. "This is Woodland?welcome to my home, honey," smiled Robert as they cantered up to the wide veranda of the bungalow. "Where is Mr. Scoville, your part? ner?" went on May, as she stood in \ the sunlight. "Here he comes now," said Robert in a stifled tone. | "Where?" j "Through the same gate that we entered?he's been taking his morn? ing exercise in the canefleld." Then Bobby Leonard did not dare look at his sister. "You knew who he was all the time. Hob Leonard?" she demanded with rose-red cheeks and flashing eyes. I "Yes, dear?you had to have your lesson. May. and it better be with a gentleman like Scoville than some Im? pertinent stranger who can talk back 1 at you in some language you do not underatand," apologized and explained | Robert. j Arthur Scoville came up to the veranda and was presented to May Leonard. Not once by look or sign did he give evidence that he had seen her before, and his tact in passing over this embarrassing period was the beginning Ol May Leonard's tail? ing in love with him. They did fall in love with each other, those two, and it was only their promise to stand by Robert and the dy?> wood industry until i's sue cei-sfn' termination that prevented that clever young American from weeping audibly. Tortoise Shell. The finest of tortoise shell is said to be that whic h comei from the In? dian archipelago, although much of that obtained on the Florida coast is of the very best quality, says the Beb ntlflc American. There are three rows of plates on the back of the ani? mal sailed "blades" by ti e fishermen. In the central row are five plates, and in each of the others four plates, the latter containing the best material, besides these, there ate twenty live unall plates around the edges of the sr.el', known us "feet" or "noeea." The h'yja ?*1 turtle does not furnish more < ? ? M t, hi ,j ,,f shell For t ' "shell was discarded h ? ? w it is much . , acy of coloring. ? , . i.) of tortoise shell of COW* just beginning to "get right" so that LIKES THE OLD SONGS MIDDLE-AGED MAN ALLOWS HIM? SELF TO WONDER. Will the Ditties of the Present Day Arouse Such Pleasant Recolteo tlons as Do Those of the Long-Distant Cays? ? ? - "Do you know what I wonder some? times?" said the middle-aged man. "I wonder if any of the songs of the pres? ent day will lire in the minds of the young people who slag them now to arouse pleasant recollections in them 50 years from now. "Do you see what I mean? I know, I guess, 40 songs?20 anyway?that we used to sing when I was a youth that we all thought were lovely. Some of these had come down to us from old? er timcg and they are still living, and I suppose w;ll keep on living. But there were other songs, written ra that day, that appeal to us older peo? ple now as strongly cs they did then, and perhaps more so, though In a somewhat different way now because they bring back fond recollections. "I have no greater pleasure than hearing my children play and sing those old songs that were sung when I was young, and I wonder?I do won? der?if any of these songs written say around in the last ten years, will sur? vive, to be sung by my children 50 years hence, with an interest like mine now in the songs of my youth. "I am inclined to doubt it. Lots of the songs of tho present time are fool? ish, aren't they? And with words poor or worse than poor. And still when I sit down with a book of my old songs and go over It In cold blood, reading instead of singing, I have to smile over some of them, for some of them were pretty thin and meager stuff when you came to read them. Still youth likes high flown romantic things and it doesn't apply the acid test. We don't do that till we are older, and among the songs written in the present day there may be some that will survive, foolh'h though they may seem to be to people of inaturer years. "And how do I know but that tho old fo'ks in my yctnger daya thought tho songs we sang ihen were foolish? Maybe they did; but we loved them then and as older people we love them now; they make youth spring up in as again. And it may be, it may be, that some of these present day songs that wo older people now think of no account will still live, either by somo charm of their own or by the charm of all things associated with youth, to be sung 50 years from now by our children then grown old, just as we qow sing over the songs of our youth, ind with just the same Joy. It may bo. But I think they will then be singing too some of the songs that pleased us, the songs that go down ihrough generation after generation." Pots of Glass. A process has rect ntly been Invent? ed in France to produce glass flower pots at very low cost. The pots aro like ordinary flower pots, both in sizo and shape. They are said to be more substantial and have proved to resist the pressure of ice or frozen earth better. Being handsome in appear? ance, they are fine for potted sale coverings that soon get soiled. When sunk into the earth they remain clean, as neither dirt nor noss adheres. The Inside walls being smooth, plants can easily be slipped out, and they are, therefore, excel'ent for potting plants with many roots. The thickness of the glass, *ith the consequent lack of porosity, is also said to be an advan? tage, for the air remains sweet longer In a glass pot than in an ordinary pot, and there is less danger of drying out. While the initial cost of glass tots is somewhat higher, they are really cheaper in the end, because more durable. The Largest Sassafras Tree. Atlanta leads the south in many re? spects, the nation in several ways, but until recently the fact that Atlanta leads the world In at least one thing has been unknown. A sassafras tree is the principal la Atlanta's new bid for fame. The largest sassafras tree In the world, says the department of agriculture. To most people the name sassafras is associated In their minds with the picture of a low, stunted bush luxur? iantly foliaged from the roots of which their grandmothers mnde tea to "cure Bpring fever" and other ills of that nature. A sassafras tree has been a thing unknown. In the year of the First Methodist Church of Atlanta the sassafras tree stands. rn^sed by thousands each day, none of whom has realized that in that yard was growing tho biggest tree of its kind in the world. Few of the members of the church were cognizant of its existence, though It has shaded little children In their play for many years and will proba? bly perform the same loving task for years to coino. The tree, according to the experts of the agricultural department, is more than 100 year* old It is seven and a half feet in circumference, flity fee: high and has a spread of more than forty feet, overshadowing all the trees in its neighborhood. Atlanta Constitution. Heard in a Newspaper Office. "Honesty is the best policy." "I wish 1 could believe it, but 1 have in mind the woman who sent in an advertisement reading like this: 'Wanted?A husband with money; ob? ject alimony.' Did she gel an an? swer to her advertisem< at? Net on*."_ they can have a good start on the WHEN HUBBY'HELPED' BEAUTIFUL MIXUP IN TH67 KITCHEN, OF COURSE. And Wifey's Period of Rest Was Rude? ly Interrupted as She Went to the Rescue of Her Liege Lord. "My dear Olivia," said Pumpertonr firmly, as dinner ended. "I am going; to wash the dishes tonight. You are to sit down in front of the dining room fire and rest. While we are without a maid it is only fair for me to assume my share of the work." Mrs. Purnperton smiled. "Very well, John. But as the hot water is not coming very well, you'll find it better to set the dishpan, h, if full, on the stove to heat up. Put some soap pow? der in it. The package is on the shelf." And with a sigh of relief she went into the living room and sat down to rest. Pumperton cleared off the table without any serious accidents, then set the dishpan over an open stove hole to heat up. He took off his coat, rolled up his sleeves and tied on a large gingham apron. Then It oc? curred to him that Olivia had told him to put in some soap powder, so he took a yellow paper box from the pantry shelf and poured in a generous supply. The water by now was almost boiling, but the soap powder obstinate? ly refused to dissolve; so Purnperton took a kitchen spoon and began tc stir in vigorously. Instead of becom? ing fine foamy soapsuds, the water be? gan to thicken and thicken?and the more it thickened the harder Pumper ton stirred. At last Mrs. Purnperton, quietly rocking and reading before the cozy open fireplace, was startled by an ag? onized appeal from the kitchen. "Olivia!" came her husband's call. "1 want you! Quick!" She jumped to her feet and hurried to the kitchen, to see ner husband perspiringly, but with determined action, siirring a dishpan full of white mixture, In which knives, forks and china came spasmodically to the surface as he stirred?all coated alike with something like strained flour paste. She looked at the dishpan with a gasp. "What on earth is the matter?" she asked. "What are you doing" there?" "i don't know," came the discour? aged response. "What's the matter ( with that soap powder of yours? Look what it's doing! How can any man? or woman, for that matter?be expect? ed to wash dishes in that?" She took one look at the white por? ridge, then snatched up the package standing open on the table. "John Purnperton," she said, calmly, "I told you to put a little soap powder in that water. Instead you poured In a good half package of cornstarch, and made pudding out of it!" I _ Highest Point of Interest. A man who was a passenger on an excursion steamer which returned a few ?days ago from Panama and Costa Rica, told a New York Tribune report? er that all the tourists were deeply interested in what they saw in Pana? ma and along the line of the canal in the four days which they spent there. "The monster dredges, the great walls of concrete, the locks and other wonders of the canal construc? tion," he said, "naturally came first in order for our attention; then the cheapness of the duck suits which we had to buy, the independence of the merchants who would not send them to you and the hospitality of I the American club will be remem? bered, bu* the most wonderful thing we saw was the real Panama souvenir in the form of a deck of playing cards bearing Panama scenes, and the cardl are made in Ohio." i The "Chestnut" Story. The origin of the word "chestnut" as applied to an oft-v.old joke may, according to Joseph Jefferson, the actor, be traced to the stage. In a melodrama entitled "The Broken Sword," written by William DiPon, two of the principal characters were Count Xavier and his servant Pablo. In a dialogue between them is to be found the origin of the word 'chest? nut" as applied to a story that ha9 lost its first bloom of novelty Here it is: 'Once." said the count, "I entered the forests of Calloway. when sadden* ly, from the boughs of a cork tree--" "Chestnut, count." interrupted Pablo "Cork tree." said the count. "A chestnut." reiterated Pablo. "I should know as well as you. for 1 have heard you tell the story twenty seven trnes." The count was a veritable Mi:n ChaaeoB, for the frequent relation of his exploits, and consequently liable to get a little mixed in his details, so It \'i that from a cork tree we get the chestnut Fersia Bans Jules Verne. The censor of literature in Persia has banned a Persian translation of Jules Verne's "Voyage to the Moon" on the ground that it is Irreligious, and from his point of view he Is right. It will be remembered that ? party of scientists was shut up in a shell which was Bred at the moon from a great gun Now the moon is Mahomet's cof? fin, and to shoot at the moon Is a crime In Persia. It is true that the shell didn't hit the moon, but the in? tention constituted the crime in Per? sia.