The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1894-06-01
cleared of rubbish, and inclosed in a

| In the kitchen beyond, a young girl
! fitted about, getting supper. To the
left, the open folding doors showed a
/ prettily furnished parlor in which a
handsome organ was conspicuous.
The sitting-room was less expensively
furnished, but sewing machine and
several easy chairs gave an air of home
comfort, as delightful as it was novel.
just what John Weston would have
said had his wife been alone it is i'm
possible to say. But being in some
what wholesome awe of his uncle, who
was bachelor and wealthy, he only
! inquired:
| What in the devil does all this tom
foolery mean, Alice?"
"Simply that l have reinvested my
half of the bank Stock" she replied,
| quietly.
| You don't mean to say that you
have dared to touch that money in the
bank" he roared Its mine, every
cent of it. will not have it touched.
You could not get it without me, and if
anyone" darting an angry look at his
uncle, 'has been fool enough to lend
you money on the strength of it, I'll
see them hanged before I'll pay it."
For ten minutes he ragged like wild
animal; then Alice spoke quietly yet in
tone that salmed even his anger.
stop, John; now you must listen to
me. Seventeen years ago, when we
were married, you had less than one
hundred dollars. My father bought
this place, stocked it and furnished
money for improvements. When he
died allowed you to do exactly as you
pleased with everything. You have
bought and sold to suit yourself. Your
stock have been well sheltered, while
your family have lived in a hovel.
A nything to aid you in outdoor labor
has been freely purchased, and at the
same time simple necessities of life
have been denied us. But this is a
thing of the past Henceforth matters
will rest on more equitable basis, and
we will live in accordance with our
means.
There was ten thousand Eve hun,
dred dollars in the bank at b. l
drew five thousand five hundred dollars
of it. You have over five hundred
from this years sale of produce, and
| the remaining five thousand dollars
lay no claim to. Thus we start even.
l work quite as hard as yourself, yet l
ask no division of given receipts. You
can go on just as you have and no one
will question your management, but
one-half of all the net proceeds must be
deposited to my order"
You don't mean to say that you
| fhoncon1 doll
since | have gomez" he exclaimed,
angrily.
II have squandered nothing. I have
properly expended some twenty-five
hundred. The house cost two thousand
dollars, the furniture about five hun
dred more. The other three thousand
1 have intact"
"And you have got the money and
spent it?''
81 have got it and have spent por-
tion of it,
"You signed my name to the order?"
| II did,"
"And if l refuse to let the matter
rest so and have you arrested for
forgery?"
A smile curled her lip for moment.
"Then in such an event, which do
not anticipate, l should be forced to
have you arrested for attem pied fraud,
and let the farm to tenant who will
| justly divide the profits"
The last was certainly a master
stroke, for he made no reply, and the
| girl announcing supper, the subject
was not renewed.
In the evening, however, when John
and his uncle went to the barn, John
ing.
mot at ALL" he returned, Though I
do not blame Alice. Look at your fine
lot of personal property, besides money
in the bank, and it has all come through
her. Now let me advise you. Accept
the situation gracefully; Alice has
counted the cost carefully, and she
will never yield her position. And yet,
John, you have brought it upon your
self If you had treated her little
more justly she would never have at
tempted this"
mo, by Jove! I did not think she
had so much grit. I've lived with her
seventeen years, and l never heard her
scold until tonight"
Rather mild scolding that, think" !"
"Well. a pretty thorough overhaul
ing, then" John said. with faint at
Tempt at laugh. But, really" he
added, "this places me in bad fix.
have bought the Allston estate, and
there are oil wells on it that make it a
big bargain. was TO give ten thou.
sand for the place, including tools and
stock. This thing knocks my calcula-
ton endwise, for, as this place really
belongs to Alice, cannot mortgage it,
and If the sale is not completed by
Monday the whole thing falls through" :"
You intended taking deed of this
place yourself%
''Of course" he answered, readily,
then had the grace to color as he caught
the twinkle in his uncle's eye.
'You have said nothing to Alice about
it?"
mo; to tell the truth, did not con.
slider it was any of her affairs. l never
looked at things just as have tonight,
and did not think she would dare as.
sert her rights. In fact, think had
forgotten she had any,"
"She has dared, however, and honor
her for it. Now, John, I'll tell you
what I'll do. If You and Alice will take
joint deed of the Allston place I'll
lend her the two thousand dollars re-
quired and she can pay me when con-
venient. But 1t must he joint deed,
understand"