The Somerset reporter., 1899-07-20
DUDLEY
BARRINGTON'S
LESSON.
A Husband Who Spent All
His Money on Himself.


Milly harrington was only 10 when
she came to live at Holy Lodge. Very
young to be married. said the gossips
of the neighborhood. still younger to
assume all the cares and responsible
ties of household. And there were
not lacking doleful prophets who de
cIared with eyes rolled up and mouths
drawn down that Mrs. Darlington
never would get on" with the old gen
tleman.
He is so fastidious," said one.
80 difficult to suit" said another.
His ideal is so impossibly high" de-
clared third
But to their surprise-perhaps little
to their superintendent and hel
father-in-law We're the best of friends
from the very first moment In which
they looked upon each others face.
Milly was anxious to learn, SO eager
to comprehend the ms and outs of the
great, roomy old house, SO ambitious
to excel every housekeeper In the
neighborhood. that the old gentleman
said, with a smile, to his son:
Don't let your little wife undertake
too much, Dudley"
And Dudley harrington answered
with a yawn:
There's no danger of that sir. TIE
ladies of Holy Lodge have always bssn
first rate hogsekeepers. you know. a nd
if woman is at work she isn't spend
ing money foolishly or gossiping."
Mr. Barrington's keen blue eyes re-
garded his son sharply for moment.
do you think Milly is addicted to
either of those pernicious practices y
he asked.
They come natural to all wome u,
don't they?' said Dudley. Struggling
his shoulders.
Not at all" said his father.
And in his secret soul he wondered
If Dudley was really worthy of such q
jewel as Millieent.
So the weeks went on, and Milly
stood bravely to her helm, until one
bright October day the old gentleman,
CHANGING to pass the low kitchen win
dow where the vines made screen of
moving shadow, looked smilingly into
where his daughter-ln-law was at
work.
Have you got a glass of cool milk
for me, little girli" said he.
Milly brought the milk promptly.
"See. papa" she said. triumphantly
pointing to the table, what a baking
have done today! Three apple pies,
three loaves of bread, a pan of biscuit,
a cake and a dozen plum tartsw
Bravo" said Mr.. harrington. But,
Milly, why are you baking? Where is
HannahY'
Hannah wanted her wages raised,
said it was all nonsense keeping girl
when was so fond Of housework. So
she has gone"
But are you fond of homework -
he asked In itself, as an abstract
thing, | mean
some hesitation. But I'm little tired
this morning. rose and swept the
house through before brea ~fast so as
to have time for the baking"
you are a good little girl said the
father-in-law. But we mustn't let
you work too hard"
Papa" said Mlly, with downcast
lashes and deep pink shadow creep
ing over her cheek, I've been thinking
for some time that-that'-
"WellT' said Mr.. harrington encOur-
agingly.
That | should like to ask you for a
little money" faltered Milly.
Money" he echoed IN surprise
Doesn't Dudley give you all you
want"
Once more Milly hesitated.
"He wants to know what everything
is for" said she. "He thinks two shill
ings is too much for ribbon, and ht
says hats ought to be had cheaper
than three shillings each. and he de
clares it's all nonsense to buy kid
gloves when cotton will do as well
And l do need another hat since the
rain spoiled my hest one, but | dom
like to ask him for it,"
DO you mean to say" said Mr. Bar
rington, leaning his elbows on the sill
"that you don't have regular allow
ance every week."