The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1879-07-06

bright nFeside, with feLder and
fire irons shining like gold. windows
hung with drspery OF Turkey red. wallis
OF c'imson-feck paper. starred over
with gold. and little walnut stand OF
books opposite-Mr.. Milfo,d's parlor
Was a cahine. gem in i.s way. Not that
the Xilford's were rich. On the con.
trary. Merton Milford was bank clerk
on a .slary 90 small tha. i. sometimes
became az almost insolvable problem TO
make both ends meet.
Almost, We saw. bat never quite; for
Lucy Milford hsi learned the lesson Of
household economy. and i. wss her
pride to say that they had never been
in debt Ye. Lucy hsd q woman's taste
aud = womans cravings after the beau
,iful AMI the costly and on this special
eveniny. as she sat by the fre leaning
one cheek on her hand, her foot me-
chanicaliy ssi.sting the rocker of her
baby's cradle. she was thinking Of the
possible the uuattainable.
IF we were only rich" thought Lucy
as she gazed across tho room. "hoS l
would like Persian patterned carpet.
instead Il this staring red and greeu
ingrain. And . little oil painting. or .
bunch Of water colo:ed flowers over tho
table. where the map Of the city hangs
nov. And then could afford Vslen-
ciennes cap for the baby. and u real
ponson silk for myself; and / could
surprise Merton with q half dozeu silk
hAndkerchiefs. and l would send papa
new meerscha real sea foam, with
IN amber mouth piece aud odd carvings
Oh tho bowl. and mamma should have
an India bordered shawl. aud"
Bang went the front door. Tramp.
tramp came a well known foots,ep along
the hall. with just enough pause to fling
the hat carelessly ou the little circlet
OF pegs, which 10 that unpretentious
household took the place of . marble
topped. mirror.backed hsll-rAck.
RS Merton. said Mrs Milford. start
lug up and Merton it was.
Halo. Pass. said Merton. coming
in. flushed and bresthless. Aud how
is little kitten =
Kitty 10 we'll, said Mrs. Milford.
Shall order tea. dear
Yes
The it'll. maid d-servsut-Lucv Mil
fo'd only kept one-brought in the urn.
and when she had tip-toed out again.
Mrs. Milford looked her husband in the
face
Merton said she. something has
h.ppeaed. l can read it in your eyes.
What Is il.
What little for,une-teller you are,
to be sure said he. Yes. some: hing
ha, happened. I've got q Telegram
from F"rtly. and old Uncle Jesse il dy.
ing Uncle Jesse, the rich old nj er.
And Writ infprms us that his last will.
made in tit Of piqae against the di
rectors OF the Fortly OrphAn Asylum,
leaves everything to US
To US. Merton =
Lucy drew her breath with Q little
gssping sound.
Why. it must be half . million Of
money
That. at least. We shall he rich
people. Puss
oh, Merton, it scarcely seems posi-
ole! It's like dream
IT'S dream with pretty solid vein
OF reality running through it. you'll
find. my dear, said the husband
And just before you came in. WAS
sitting here and thinking what would
do. aud..how could ornament my home
if We we're only rich : cried Lucy. clap
ping her hands.
Mr.. Milford pinched her cheek. aud
laughed complaeen.'y. Evidently ho
Vas in the best Of humOr
Half . million. Lucy q" said be. You
shAll have . set OF diamonds that will
rival those Of Mrs. Merriwell. the
banker. wife. and . real cashmere
shawl. And Ill order . pony phaeton
for your own driving. and you
'Bu, We shall buy . country place.
shan't wc. Merton? wistfully said
Lucy. the soft csrmins shadows deepen.
ing over her check.
"A country place !! What for:' said
Merton. little oonte~ptuously. What
on earth should We bury ourselves in
the country for. when We can buy q
place at the West End. and surround
ourselves with all the refineinsnts OF
city l;fef'
A shade OF disappointment came
over Lucy's face.
'Oh, Merton. have always dreamed
Of . house. sighed she.
with burglars and mildew and spi-
ders thrown in. ch. Nonsense. my dear.
poussrse The city Is the place to live
in
And ws con have psps and mamms
to live with US. can't wsf
'W-wsll. don't know exactly about
that said Merton, thoughtfully strok-
ing his moustache; I'll buy 'em . snug
little place. il you ssy so, my love; but
never did believe in fathers snd moth
ers in.law living with their children
oh. Merton. how can you talk so'
cried Lucy in . psined tone.
Oh. Lucy. there's no use 10 sentimsa.
tslizing on these points. rstorted her
husband. . little brusquely.
4 don't care to be rich il I can't en-
Joy the pleasures OF my money said
Mrs Milford, pouting.
so you may enjoy ,he0 IL you vill
only b. reasonable about it,
And I've always thought % much
about having msmms with me.
Better leave Oh thinking OF il. then.
said Milford. lighting . cigar and lean.
ing back in . chair, the better to enjoy
il.
I suppcse l can have as many ser.
vss,s As plesss. now hAlsrded Mrs.