The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1874-08-08
Select STORY.
THE WIFE'S ALLOWANCE.


There were people enough to envy
Millicent Haughton when she was married
to Radcliffe Gates. She was only q dis
trict school teacher, at so much month,
without homo or parents He was a
wealthy banker, who seemed to have moth
ing to do but to indulge his whims and
capriccs to their uttermost bent, and the
world in general announced its dictum
that Milly Haughton chad done uncom-
monty well for herself"
But Milly did not look happy upon that
golden june morning, with the sunshine
streaming through the oricl window Of
the great breakfast room at Gates Place,
and scattering little drops of gold and
crimson, aud glowing purple, on the mossy
ground of the stone-colorcd carpet.
She was dressed in a loose white cam
brio wrapper looped 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-slippered foot that patted the
velvet ottoman beneath was as perfect and
tapering as sculptor could have wished.
Mr.. Gates, from his side of the damask
drapcd table, eyed her with the cOmpla-
cent gaze of proprietorship. She was his
wife. He liked her to look well, just as
he wanted his horses properly groomed
and his Conservatives kept in order; and
ho troubled himself very little about the
shadow on her brow.
"Tm 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-''so l supposed. But it isn't
at all worth while to allow yourself to get
excited. When | say thing, Mrs.
Gates, | generally mean it. And l re-
peat--if you need money for any sensible
and necessary purpose, | shall be most
happy and willing to accommodate you"
Millicent bit her full red lower lip, aud
drummed impatiently on the table with
her ten restless fingers.
And am to come weekly imploring
you for every fiye-cent piece | happen to
want?
Yes, Mrs. Gates-if you prefer to put
the matter in that light"
Radcliffe" she coaxed, suddenly chan
gihg 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
cdict ! "and that's the way made my
fortune, by looking personally after every
penay; and l mean to keep it up"
But think how | was mortified yes
terday, when Mrs. Armour came to ask
me if | could subscribe fifty cents towards
buying hand-carriage 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 had not even fifty
cents of my own"
All very right---all very proper y
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
al will not endure it !" cried Milly,
starting to her feet with cheeks dyed scar
let, and Indignantly glittering eyes.
Mr. Gates leaned back in bis chair with
provoking complacency.
" 'oW have money" said Milly.
How are you going to get it, my
dearg' rctorted her spouse, with an ag.
grayating smile playing around the cor.
ncrs of his mouth. "You 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 no, prepared with an immediate
answer.
And now, Mrs. Gates, said the bank
cr, after moment or two of overwhelm.
ing silence, "if yoa'll be good enough "a
stitch that button on my glove, I'll g
down. | have already wasted too much
time"
So the verbal passage-at-arms ended
and Milly felt that, SO far she was worssed
She watched Mr.. Gates drive Of in au
elegant open barouchc, drawn by tive
long-tailed chestnut horses, all agIittel
with plated harness, and turned away
almost wishing that she was NIilliccnl
Haugkton once again, behind her desk in
the little red school-house.
She looked around at the inlaid furni