The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-10-22
]: THE ADVERTISERS
 s DAILY SHORT STORY


 Lucia's mother was the efficient mis- tress and controlling spirit of a Rush Street boarding house which catered to young men who were financially able to pay s7 a week apiece for half of a mod est room end two meals day. Luclas mothe.'s house contained five spare bedrooms, and from the ten young gen. tlemen who were glad to tenant them Lucia's mother derived the not unhand- somely weekly income of S7O. There were two servants, a cook and a house maid, whe was table waitress as well. The house rent was $50 month. Thus, if one were skilled in computation and monies, one might easily demonstrate that Lucia,s mother enjoyed a net survi- val of about $100 month, which Is not half bad for friendless widow with 2 pretty daughter of 20 years to be steered safely into the port of matrimony. Fret ty daughters cost money Lucia was not exceptionally extravagant. for a girl so seductively pretty as she really was. there is no denying her extreme good looks, you know, so what would be the use to be mean and cruSty about It ana say her face and figure were only so-so Let's tell the truth. Lucia was sure good locker, one of the finest.
 She had a complexion like the heart of Michigan peach dipped in cream fly on as charming neck as one could find on all Rush Street, which makes a speciality of good looking girls, and she wore 1-2 last shoe, which is neither Chinese nor Hottentot--neither too big nor too small-and weighed 130 poundss
 Now of all of these ten young gentle men who severed themselves from v a week apiece and gave 1t to Lucia's and lodging, in reality didn't care a rap for Lucia's mother, or her somewhat close pared. dinners, or her stuffy little found better elsewhere for less money. But each of them and every one was there because he was in love with Lucia; Each of them and every hoped and prayed that some day that dear little golden head would be all his own. that the sweet cherubic mouth whose red lips hid at times two rows of pearliest teeth you ever saw in your life would some day open to sing to him alone the charm ing love ballads which now were poured out indiscriminately in the boarding house parlor of evenings, after dinner That was the reason the ten young men were there, and why there were at least ten others on the waiting list, ready to tPke their places at days notice. So you see l. ICia really had her uses, even If she did refuse to go into the kitchen or to help with the housework. or to go esrly to South Water Street to buy timely vegetables while the dew still
 In most boarding houses, may be you have heard or know, there is one board CT whose light shines prominent among IeIlCWS, dHu lElS DCdTueT IS NtiOW II as the star But Lucia's mothers board ing house was peculiar in that it pos sessed two stars Of equal magnitude. When these two radiances beamed upon Lucia it was mighty cold for the other eight Ilitors, who would retire discon- solate from the lists and curse their fates they. too, were not stars. Then thA twin stars would look at each other which shows that her heart was hard ened. But the hearts of most pretty girls grow that way. when they have to do with ten impressionable young board CTS every day of their lives. Not to every one is given to be perfect. There was a soul within Pygmalon's statue, but most of them are just common mar ble. or Carrara at best
 Queer it was, but quite true, that George Allen, who was night police re- porter at the central station for the Day, Frank Pratt who was night police re- porter for the Hour. nor Frank of George. Indeed, though rivals in love and professionally at swords points. they were the nearest and dearest of friends and were roommates as well. to be which Is d severe test of friendship. To endure that 1t must have had hardy growth.
 There wasn't any doubt. however. not a bit of it, that both George and Frank were in love over ears and head with Lucia. Both of them, it has since de- yeloped, had asked her to name a day. And both of them had been banteringlY put off with frivolous excuses.
 Lucia quite too young to think of marriage. cried Lucias g mamma, who knew thing or two and quite naturally disliked to part with her ace of trumps, and Lucia was a dutiful daughter. even If she didn't make the five beds the ten young gentlemen mussed up during their nights. of signs. The fact is, I believe that Lucia herself didn't really know her own mind. There is no knowing how happy she might have been with either were tother dear charmer away, but the trouble was that neither would resign the field. Most of their hunting-in both love and war, which latter means look
 They used to make quite merry to- gether, these young people, over their natrimonial aspirations. One afternoon in the afternoon the other boarders had to slave away in their offices. but George and Frank were gentlemen of leisure until o'clock, you understand-the two of them morally Cornercd Lucia and demanded that she choose hetwee them. Each felt confident of his own standing. iT the bottom of her selfish little heart. which beat for Lucia alone, and was IraVe to urge her to make a decision then and there.
 ''Ill take you to St Joe" cried George. ''Wen elore It's so romantic"
 Pooh. said Lucia, turning up her tip- tilted little rogue of a nose to an even higher eleN ation.
 ''Ill take you to Milwaukee so there" shouted Frank. What do You want, anyway
 ''It takes five days to get a license in
 Wednesdays story. HER IDEAL, bv IT