The suburban citizen., 1900-12-15
Cosmopolitan.

things, Mrs. Chesterfield" said her
husband, sitting down before the fire,
which made the October twilight so
ruddy and cheerful. Domestic econ
omy, in its way, is quite as much of
science as political economy. 1 have
apportioned things exactly. 1 know
to 7" how much it costs me to live.
1 know the exact correspondence be-
tween my income and my outgo.
know where every penny goes, and
how much it represents. have ascer-
tanned What is it, Gretchen? Tea
ready! Allow me to give you my arm,
Sybil, my lover
Bright and early the next morning
the butcher called for orders.
Sybil was about to lay out the bill
Of fare for the day, when Mr.. Chester
field came out of the diningroom, his
dresslng-skirts streaming like a me-
teor to the troubled air"
my dear, pray excuse me" said
Mr.. Chesterfield; II always attend to
these things. In our circumstances
the strictest economy is necessary"
Sybil went back to the parlor some
what mortified.
This carpet is a little worm" said
she to her mother, who had come
around to pass an hour or two with
them. 81 was thinking that it would
be a good plan to put it in our bed
room, and buy a new one for the par
lOr. Worn Brussels is of all carpets
the shabblest."
But Mr.. Chesterfield vetoed this
proposition at once.
costs too much, my dear-costs too
much" he said. Il have studied this
sort Of thing"
Mark" said Mrs. Chesterfield,
"how much is your incOme?"
Mr. Chesterfield laughed.
"Now, my dear" said he, "you are
getting beyond your province"
mo; but really"
"Really, dearest, it needn't concern
you in the least!" answered he, lightly.
And Sybl, a little hurt, asked no
more.
A month went by-two months
three months-and Sybil came to her
husband.
mark" said she, I'm not satisfied
with the way things are going
mot satisfied, my Lover"
81 want to keep house, Mark AS 1t
Is, am only mere fgurehead at
your table. Won't you let me tryT
Little puss, what do you know
about housekeeplng| demanded Mark,
satrically.
But l could learn. Just for one
year"
you'll ruin me. Sybll.'
"If | do, wen break up house, and
Ill go out as housekeeper somewhere
else, until l have earned wagesenough
to set you right again! JUST give me
the monthly sum you expend for our
bills and let me deal it out"
"Well, well, il you insist upon It,
But I'm perfectly certain you'll be
bankrupt before the quarter is out"
"Try me, that's allr
As the time went by the Chesterfield
table was more amply supplied than
ever with the delicacies Of the season
Little dainties made their appearance
at which Mr.. Chesterfield opened his
eyes.
"Ruinous-perfectly ruinous!" he
commented within himself. "SheIl be
cemng to me in tears, presently, to
settle the extra bills, but she never
would be satisfied until she had tried
the experiment"
But, although he waited patiently
for the briny tears, and the file Of
| tradesmen's bills, they never came.
And at the expiration Of six months,
he came home just as six porters were
staggering up his front steps having a
superb piano on their shoulders.
"Hello" cried he. "Some mistake"
"No mistake at all, my dear" an
swered the voice Of Mrs. Chesterfield
from the parlor window. "It's ours,
l bought it yesterday"
"And who's to pay for itY roared
Mr.. Chesterfield, the big veins in his
forehead growing tense as ropes.
IT'S already paid for, Mark. 1 set.
tied that" said the lady calmly.
May I ask where you got the
money! demanded her husband, with
dangerous politeness.
"Oh, certainly" answered SybT "I
saved 1t out Of the housekeeping
money!
"Impossblew
I'm show you my account, dear, by
and-by-square up to date"
And she did so. Mr.. Chesterfield
found 1t difficult to believe that n
woman could pay the household bill
Of their establishment, and save
money out Of S125 a month.
II saw to things myself" said sybn.