The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1874-08-08
Select Storp.
THE wIFE's ALLOWANCE.

There were people enough to envy
Millicent Haughton when she was married
to Radcliffe Gates. She was only dis
trict school teacher, at so much month
without home or parents. He was a
wealthy banker, who seemed to have moth
ing to do but to indulge his whims and
caprices to their uttcrmost bent, and the
world in general announced its dictum
that Milly Haughton "had done uncom
monty well for herself"
But Milly did not look happy upon that
golden June morning, with the sunshine
streaming through the ofiel window Of
the great breakfast room at Gates Place,
and scattering little drops Of gold and
crimson, and glowing purple, on the messy
ground of the stone-colored carpet.
She was dressed in a loose white cam.
brio wrapper loopcd and buttoned with
blue, and single pearl arrow upheld the
shining masses Of her lovely auburn hair
Her eyes were deep liquid hazel her
complexion as soft and radiant as the
dimpled side Of an early peach; and the
little kid-slippcrcd foot that pattcd the
velvet ottoman beneath was as perfect and
tapering as sculptor could have wished
Mr.. Gates, from his side of the damask
draped table, eyed her with the compla-
cent gaze of proprietorship. She was his
wife lie liked her TO look well, just as
he wanted his horses properly groomed
aud his Conservatives kept in order; and
he troubled himself very little shout the
shadow on her brow.
SIN in earnest, Radcliffe she said,
with emphasis.
:" So | supposed, Mrs GATES" said the
husband leisurely folding his paper--a
sign that the news within was thoroughly
exhausted l supposed. But it isn't
at all worth while to allow yourself to get
excited. When | say thing, Mrs.
Gates, l generally mean il And re-
pcat--if you need money for any sensible
aud necessary purpose, | shall be most
happy and willing to accommodate you"
Millicent bit her full red lower lip, aud
4
drummed impatiently on the table with
her ten restless fingers.
" And I am to come weekly imploring
you for every iivc-cen piece | happen to
want?
Z" Yes, Mrs Gates-if you prefer to put
the matter in that light
Radcliffe" she coaxed, suddenly chan
ging her tone, 'do give me an allowance,
l don't care how little! Don't subject
me to the humiliation of pleading for a
little money half dozen times day.
You are rich"
" Exactly, my DEAR nodded this Ben
edict sand that's the way / made my
fortune, by looking personally after every
penay; and / mean to keep it up"
But think how | was mortified yes
terday, when Mrs, Armour came to ask
me il | could subscribe fifty cents towards
buying band-carriagc for our washer
woman's lame child--only fifty cents,
and had to say, II must ask my husband
to give me the money when he returns
from the city for I had not even fifty
cents Of my own"
All very right--all very proper I"
said Mr.. Gates, playing with the huge
rope of gold that hung across his chest, IN
the guise Of watch-chain.
Other ladies are not kept penniless r
That rests entirely between them and
their husbands, Mrs. Gates"
will not endure il Y cried Milly,
starting to her feet with checks dyed scar
let, and indignantly glittering eyes,
Mr. Gates leaned back in his chair with
provoking complacency.
nil have money ~ said Milly.
How are you going to get il, my
dear2" rctortcd her spouse, with an ag-
gravating smile playing around tie cor
ners of lis mouth. 9You have nothing Of
your own--absolutely nothing. The mon
ey is mine and mean to keep it,
Milly sat down again, twisting her
pocket handkerchief around and around
She was not prepared with an immediate
answer
And now, Mrs. Gates, said the bank
or, after moment or two Of overwhelm
ing silence, s'if yoall be good enough 10
stitch that button on my glove, I'll 60
down. | have already wasted TOO much
time"
So the verbal passage-atsarms ended,
and Milly felt that, so far she was worstcd.
She watched Mr. Gates drive Of in an
elegant open barouche, drawn by two
loug-tailed chestnut horses, all agIi,ter
with plated harness, and turned away,
almost wishing that she was Millicent
Haughton once again, behind her desk in
the little red schOoI-house.
She looked around al the inlaid fnrni.