The Mineral argus. [volume] (Maiden, Mont.) 1883-1886, 1885-04-23

IL ought to. by this time" she said.
with sorry attempt at laugh; "but
couldn't help hoping all the same;
come, supper is ready"
Both Mrs. Ruther and her husband
had long ago tacitly agreed to surren-
der to the children the first hour or SO
after his return every evening. 1t was
the "children's hour" and unless
there CHANGED to be company at tea.
all conversation in which they could
not take part was postponed until
after their early bedtime.
BY and by that came, and the little
flock said good night, and went up
stairs with their mother to be tucked
away for the night.
Then hush fell on the household,
and Mr.. Ruther lit his pipe, and drew
the evening paper from his pocket.
When his wife came down again and
took the seat on the other side Of the Ia
bic with her sewing, he laid the newspa-
per down, and looked up with the air
Of man who has important news to
tell. "What do you think. Nell?" he
said. "Tom WhittemOre is going out
to st. Paul"
$50 far?" she answered. "lle will
be quite loss to you, won't he?"
swell, yes, l shall miss HIM; We
have always been good friends, you
know. but I'm not sure that his going
won't be a rather good thing for us,
as it is for him. lac has a good offer
out there, good salary, and the chance
of an interest in the business-an offer
he can't afford to refuse. The thing
that concerns US most, however, Is that
he wants me to take his place in The
Building Fund-at just what it cost
him, $500. and els q month to tho
Fund"
IL don't quite understand"
10 yes, you do, il you will think q
moment. Don't you know he got his
house by joining building associa-
ton, and the rent of the house goes to
hundred on it, and the rent now 10 el5
q month"
Is that SOP Why. it is a better one
than this. which costs us $40 more"
(which goes into our landlords
pOcket-yes. It really is wonderful
chance for us, because the property
has advanced in value since he bought
it, and is certain to increase in the fu-
turc, but he wants ready money to
move with. and SO offers to let US have
it at cost. He gives me the refusal for
q week. which Is very good Of him."
"And you are gong to take it?" she
asked eagerly.
II think cam" he replied. sour
MIR. Barker Is the president of the
Building Fund, SD there won't be any
trouble about my taking Whittemore's
place. Then, have S4O0 in bank,
and think in week or two l can
manage to raise the rest. BY the way,
have the bills come in, and how much
are they p"
There was no help for it, the dreaded
moment had come. with fresh bitter,
ness added thereto. She brought out
the pile Of envelopes, and handing
them to him sat down in calm despera-
ton, while he examined them-the
fact that she was only indirectly re-
sponsible for the size Of the bills In no
wise tending 10 make her feel less like
q criminal.
'Whew!' he said, as he took them.
"Plenty Of them, at all events-DOc.
tor s95, Draper Il DE Lane sllO. Jones
$50, Brown S35, rent S25, gas $50, coal
slS. Well. that pretty nearly sweeps
my bank account
"John. dear John. don't look so mis-.
erable-I couldn't help i'll am SO
sorry! You can return my cloak, l
havn't worn it!''
"Do l hold you responsible. my
dear? Who bought the cloak, you or
1? II that were all, l could manage.
As it is, can pay the bills, but the
house must be given up, and it really
is such chance Us comes once in a
lifetime"
Mrs. Ruther made no answer, shc
was crying quietly behind the news
paper which she had picked up and
was holding in front Of her to hide her
tears.
Her husband began figuring on the
back Of one Of the envelopes; it was .
way he had when worried.
Presently she let fall the paper, with
a half smothered exclamation, and
rushed out of the room and upstairs.
He scarcely noticed the circumstance
it was a common One--probably she
imagined she heard the baby cry or
johnnie cough. In very few min
utes she came back, laughing and cry
ing all together, and flung herself on
his shoulder. holding out silver coin.
'Take it, John! taxe it! it really is!
now you can pay the bills and take
the house toO!-Oh. l am SO glad! so
gladv' she sobbcd incOherently.
Mr.. Ruthcr was no numlsmatist, and
for one terrible moment he actually
feared that his wife had lost her mind.
1t cost him no small effort at self-con-
troll to draw her gently to him, and
ask in tones whose very quietness told
Of his effort--''What do you mean, my