The aegis & intelligencer., 1895-05-03
miscellaneous.
Living Beyond Their Means.
BY HELEN FORREST GRAVES.


Five pounds of grapes ~ said ole
Mrs. Mildmay, in astonishment
Are you quite sure that you under
stood your mistresss order, Hester
White grapes are sixty cents pound
and surely for so small dinner party
as this"
There is no mistake, ma am" said
Hester, pertly. Servants will sooI
learn the spirits of their superors
and Hester knew that young Mrs
Mildmay was not particularly partial
to her husbands stepmother. Il took
the order myself, and it amt likely
should be mistook.n
Hester is quite right said Mrs
Rufus Mildmay, who came in at that
moment, a handsome brunette, in q
pink cashmere morning dress, trim
med with black velvet-rather a con
trast to the neat, calico gown which
her mother-in-law was accustomed to
wear about her morning avocations al
home. And do | wish, mamma, you
wouldn't interfere ~
The old lady's serene brow flushed.
My DEAR she demonstrated, Il dc
not wish to meddle with your con
Germs, but really fear that Rufus's
income
"Rufus's income is his own, to spend
as he pleases ~ interrupted the young
lady. And you seem to forget mann
ma, that people don't live nowad avs
as they did when you were a girl
Mrs. Mildmay said nothing more
1t was not the first time, nor yet the
second that she had been given to un
derstand, by Mrs Rufus, that her in
| terposition in household affairs was
unwelcome.
The stepson, whom she loved with
as fond a devotion as if he had been
her own child, had married beautiful
city girl. and settled in New York.
So far all was well, although Mrs
Mildmay had secretly hoped that he
would love sweet Alice Acton, the
clergyman's daughter, of Pole Hill
and settle down to the old farm, as his
father before him had done.
Yet, if Rufus was happy, she also
would rejoice, she assured herself
even although he preferred Rosamond
Thursby to Alice Acton, and city's
hustle to the sweet peace of the wales
and glens.
If Rufus was happy. Yes, there
was the question. And sometimes
Mrs. Mildmay feared that he was not
in spite of his smiles and assumed
cheerfulness.
1t had been his fondest hope that
his mother might be one of his house
hold after his marriage. Mrs. Mild
may had hoped so, too but after this
her first visit, she felt that the dream
was in vain.
"Oil and water will not mix" she
said to herself, with a sigh land be
long to Il past generation"
AS she left the store closet, where
Rosamond and her cook were holding
counsel as to proposed dinner party
she went slowly and spiritlessly up the
breakfast room, where Rufus wa!
reading the morning paper before the
fire.
"Rufus," she said, little abruptly
81 think l had better go back to The
Hemlocks this week"
Mother :" he demonstrated.
81 don't think that Rosamond wants
me here" Rufus Mildmay redeemed
Il hope mother" he said, ''she has
not said anything to"
''It is not natural that she should
need my presence" said the old lady
gently. Il might have known it ; nov
| am certain of it. Home is the best
place for me. But remember ont
thing, dear Rufus. Do not outspent
your income. Rosamond is young anC
thoughtless. You yourself are mex
perienced-"
"Oh, it's all right, motherr' said
the young man carelessly. But
; did hope you could be happy here. )
Mrs. Mildmay shook her head.
Il shall see you sometimes" sale
she. If ever you are in trouble, Ru
fus-you or Rosamond, either-you
will know where to come.h
So the old lady went away from tn,
pretty bijou of house in Parabolt
Place, with its bay windows, its Tur
conan portieres and the boxes o
flowers in all the easements.
"Rosamond," said the young hus
band, as he studied over the list o
weekly bills short time subsequent
ly, Il believe my mother was right
We are outrunning our income"
"Pshaw !" said Rosamond, who wa
sewing point lace on a rose-coloreC
satin reception-dress what has pu
that ridiculous idea into your head
Rufus p
Facts and figures" answered Ru
fus. Just look here, Rosie.
But / don't want to look ~ sale
Rosamond, impatiently turning be-
head away, "and | won't-so there
OF course one can't live without
money, especially if one goes into SO
ciety."
Rufus whistled under his breath.
But, Rosamond,' said he, ''if {
mans income is hundred dollars {
month, and he spends two hundred
how are the accounts to balance at the
years end ~
Il don't know anything about bal
ances and accounts said Rosamond
with a sweet, sportive laugh "Hov
do you like this dress, Rufus - hold
ing up the cleaning folds of the pink
satin. II shall wear it on Thursday
evening"
do you think, Rosie,n said tn,
young man, gently, that it is wise
for us to go so much into society OF
our slender income ~
THAT arrow came from your moth
er's quiver, Rufus ~ said Rosamond
with another laugh. ''She was al
ways preaching about your income.
And, after all, =" said Rufus, ''wha
do we care for the fashionable people
to whose houses we go, and whom we
invite TO our parties They wouldn
one of them regret if we were to go tt
. the Rocky Mountains tomorrow"
II would as soon die at once as liv,
without society - said Rosamond
DO leave off lecturing me, Rufus
Society is all that makes life wortl
: having for me-"
And, with deep sigh, Rufus helC
| his peace.
? That was long, lonely winter TO