The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1900-07-06
THE STAIRS.

Brockway's legacy came in the nick
of time. The son and heir was three
weeks old, with future looming up in
large proportions The furnished house
had emerged from the honeymoon gla-
NOR, and in the full glare of married
life looked worse for wear. The spring
of the year found everything dingy and
salary overdrawn. Then the money
dropped down.
Brockway didn't wait to build. He
bought ready-made house and began
to cultivate his taste for antique rugs.
Mrs. Brockway was somewhat engaged
with the baby about that time, 50
Brockway ran the thing alone And a
riotous run 1t was too, strewn from end
to end with extravaganza silk draperies
and f1lmy lace curtains and luxurious
furniture. There was professional
decorator in collision with him and the
result was gorgeous. On the day set for
Mrs. Brockway and the baby to arrive
Brockway was working, with his coat
off, from a. m. on. He hoped she
would be late, but the carriage that
brought her drove up to the door full
hour earlier than agreed. It's queer
little way most women have. They're
either too late or too early. 1t goes hard
with them to hit the bull's-eye in an APP
pointment. So 1t happened that Mrs
Brockway stood In the open door of her
new home, unwelcomed.
Where are your" she called. Five or
six short, sharp explosions came in an
swer to her question and Brockway APP
peared on the stairs. He stood an in
slant in blank amazement-then dashed
down to meet her, with what seemed
tread of thunder. The stairs shrieked.
Don't break the house down in your
haste!" laughed Mrs. Brockway, and
her husbands face distinctly fell. How
ever, it was covered with smiles little
later as he ushered the mistress of the
house into her new domain and began
calling off their new possessions like
Snowman. Hardwood floors camels-
hair rugs, baby-grand piano, Brussels
point curtains, Turkish window, china
cabinet, cut-glass and silver!
Everything Is done but the carpet on
the stairs, and | expect the man to lay
that any minute" he said Come on,
now, We'll go up and see your room"
He caught the baby from the arms OF
the maid who carried him, and started
ahead Crack-crack. went the stairs.
"Eugene" cried Mrs. Brockway, from
the foot of the stairs, aren't you walk
step so heavy"
He tiptoed slowly down again with
hunted look in his eyes. IT'S the one
fault of this house-the way those stairs
creak." he said.
ooh, well,' she answered, serenely.
eve must have that remedied at once"
1T can't be done," declared Brock
way. THE props or Joists underneath
are weakened somehow, SO they give
enough to make that sound. To remedy
it we'd have to wear away the whole
side of this hall. Look at it," He
waved his hand tragically. Tear down
that freshly papered wall? Mar that
beautiful woodwork I've just had all
rubbed down and polished? I tell you
it can't be done. I've talked with car
penter. Don't you suppose, If 1t could
have been fixed, I'd have had 1t done?"
Mrs. Brockway looked at him. He
read it in her face that the stairs should
have been repaired before the decora-
ting was done, but she said nothing
Don't you think it will be better
when the padding and carpeting are
DOWN." he asked in a pleading tone
and she declared with wifely mendacity
that she was sure it would.
A few minutes later the man arrived
to lay the carpetng. AS he placed the |
padding he hoarsely whispered oaths at
every creak the stairs gave under his
step. Brockway was for silencng him,
but his wife said no. 1t seemed to do
her good. When the carpet was down !