Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1886-06-11

EaAAH0 .EH 49, - @9-2 EEH
tives Sophia, however, soon found that
there was more in the matter than she had
imagined.
Il shall keep one carriage In the future, no
more" Mrs. Temple said a few days after.
"One carriage, one horse, and one man SER
want. Quite enough for us two"
mamma" Sophia cried, "the idea of you
trotting about in a little brougham with one
horse! How funny you will feel"
@Not at all, dear, so long as the carriage is
neat and the horse what a horse should be.
Quite enough for us, Sophy. More seems af-
fectation; just like those Bones. Horrid
people, with a fresh carriage for every day in
the week-and such horsesl It strikes me that
whenever a vulgarian makes money and re-
tires, being of no family himself, he resolves
to have horses with a pedigree. No, no,
Sophy, we shall not lose anything by living
quietly. Leave that to me, dear; you may
safely leave that to me-"
Great was the astoniskment of Kettlewell.
Not that we wondered at Mrs. Temple giving
up the Beeches; with us, as with Sophia, the
burglary was a sufficient reason for that. But
when she chose a small box of a villa near
the entrance of the town, and put down two
VI uCI Cal ldR0o9 ulolAAlooCu VI = Set
wants, and in a general way reduced her ex-
penditures by more than one-half, we were
surprised indeed. Had Sophia been married
the affair would have been ineligible, but
who, for any motive except neces-
sity, ever heard Of a matchmaking mother
lowering her mode of living until all her
daughters were settled? There was a great
deal of talk in Kettlewell, and a great deal Of
whispering. Had Mrs. Temple been living
beyond her meansl Had she made some bad
speculation? Was this only the prelude to a
final crash? All these questions were asked
freely, and most of us had some surmise to
make; but nobody quite agreed with any
body else except in one point-Mrs. Temple
was not the woman to retrench without ur-
gent reason; and after all, the most likely
reason was that she had not the money to
maintain her original grandeur. One spite
full lady friend congratulated her ironically
behind her back on having married two
daughters well, at all events, and said that
even if the mother died a bankrupt, dear
Sophia would always have a comfortable
home with her sisters.
Car and Sibyl were as much amazed as the
rest, and, not daring to inquire of their
mother, they beset Sophia with questions
which she was unable to answer. Sibyl was
especially searching for reasons why, her
husband having directed her mind to the
subject in his eiephantine way.
ut is not for us" he said, pausing as he
stirred his collector they were at break
fast-"it is not for us to ask questions, but
still your mothers conduct is u-naccountable.
IF YOU could GpA out vyIOtbn, ebO Io, looo
specializing, or if her affairs are involved, 1
might interfere with advantage-to your
mother"
Goldmore, as he said this, cleared his throat
and shifted his chin between his shirt collar
in an imposing way. The chin was very
well shaved, and the shirt collar very white
and stiff, as is invariably the case with
milliona1res in the morning.
II might advise with your mother" the
great man added, seeing that his wife did
not speak, and tender her my aid"
Sibyl was really alarmed at this suggestion
from her husband, who, as she well knew,
was neither a meddler nor one who formed
his opinions hastily. She hurried off to
Sophia and declared her misgivings; and all
Sophia could say was that there seemed good
reason for fearing that something was wrong.
But, Sophia added, she had already tried
every possible means to find out her mothers
actual position and motives, and had entirely
failed.
"In that case" Archibald Goldmore said,
when his wife reported this result to him, II
shall call upon your mother myself and in
troduce the subject. 1t is my duty to offer
her my counsel. What can she know about
business?'
And he called upon little Mrs. Barbara,
who received him with her usual cheerful.
ness. Goldmore was a ~favorite with her in
his way.
"You know me well enough to be quite
sure that l am no Paul Pry, " the millionaire
said. He seemed to think that there was
magnanimity in his very mention of that
character in connection with himself. 90
hope | don't intrude' is not often on my lips
for this simple reason-I knoW l don't in
trude."
Little Mrs. Temple gave him a brisk nod
and smile, and he proceeded, approaching
his subject with slow dignity, as if he were
driving the lord mayors coach round q
ticklish corner.
I'VE have been a little surprised-Siby
and myself-at the great change you have
made in your household; and knowing, as we
do, your sound common sense, we are sure
there is a good reason for it. 1t is a great
change" he added, looking round the small
drawing room, although you have displayed
your usual good taste here from-from-hool
to ceiling"
eyes" Mrs. Temple replied unconcernedly
"it is a nice little house"
"This has been a bad time for investments, ,
Goldmore remarked, resolved to keep neal
his real business, land expenses are very
heavy. lhave sometimes thought how little
/ imagined, when I first married, how costly
my establishment wJuld be-" The old rogue
lived to the full a third within his income.
81 am sometimes fl frightened at expenditure
Mrs. Temple"
"Are your she remarked. "Now, 1 never
ami"
VI am glad to hear it" he answered. "TC
tell you the truth, l was afraid that you
might have found your own expenses a little
in excess of your calculations; and to be quite
plain with you, l came this morning to know
if there is any business you would like t.
talk over with me. l know" Goldmore said
with the modesty Of a monarch, something
about affairs. Now can l be of any use t.
youl Can my knowledge of-the money
market"-this being a joke he laughed a lit
tle-''be of any use to your
"Not any, Archibald" she said. II Away!
manage my own business"
"There is no difficulty l can clear up?"