The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1901-03-28

the Dupreys decorated the entire house
with lilies Of the valley. The effect
was lovely"
what did you say 1t cost?' asked
Stuart. rousing himself to take part In
the conversation. He had heard only q
part of what Aunt Royal had said.
She looked over at her nephew In sur.
prise.
II didn't say. I heard that 1t cost
about $1,000. That is small item for
flowers In the Duprey receptions"
1T must have been lovely" said Lou.
ise, clasping her hands SO that her dla.
mond rings were the most conspicuous
part of her in the light Of the fire.
Il think II must have been horrible"
said Stuart quietly.
"Horrible? Aunt Royal spoke us II
she had not understood her nephew.
"Yes; not the flowers, but the use Of
that much money to decorate for pleas.
ure any mans private residence for the
enjoyment Of people who could see
lilies Of the valley any time they want.
ed to-
"Well. we'll" Aunt Royal could not
| get any further. Louise broke In with
laugh.
"Oh, Stuart's been converted lately
to some of the commpistc socialistic
ideas. Didn't you know that, aunt:
The next we know he will begin to OBJ
ject to our using roses for decoration
next week here in the house."
Stuart did not say anything. He was
thinking of Eric's speech that after.
noon, aud his heart beat heavily as he
thought of all the wasted music and
flowers of the earth. Who was getting
the best OF these two great and beau
tiful gifts of God?
Was 1t not the very people who were
able to pay the highest prices for
them? Where was the right in squan.
dcring thousand dollars of Gods
own money to enjoy t.2 beauty of
flowers when people wCrc dying Of
hunger and misery in the nearest tone
ment? IL it was Gods money and If
men were only trustees Cf the fundS.
would God probably consider that Il
right use of the money? II was only
one phase Of the doctrine OF steward
ship which Stuart had lately begun t.
believe in.
But Aunt Royal was not the person
to remain silent after Stuart's use of
the word "horrible" in connection with
her decorative ideas as they were con.
nected with social functions. She ask.
ed. sharply for her:
DO you mean to say. Stuart. that
you think we have no right to use
flowers in giving pleasure to our in.
vited guests?"
mo; did not say that" replied Stu.
art dryly.
What do you mean then?"
II can't make you or Louise under.
stand me-" said Stuart after pause.
mo; Stuart talks In riddles of late.
He thinks we are too aristocratic and
un-Christlan," said Louise. There was
a sneer in her voice which hurt Stuart
keenly.
why do you say that, Louise? You
know l am thinking Of the poor fami-
lies who are beginning to suffer at this
time. Surely we ought to do as much
for them as for ourselves. If we spend
hundred dDlIars to decorate the
rooms with flowers for a party, we
ought to give twice as much to help
feed the hungry. The better way
would be to take the money spent on
the flowers and spend 1t on food"
what" cried Louise angrily. "On
the people who have brought their con
dition on themselves by their own fool
ishness. Who is to blame for their
being hungry and cold if not them
selvcS?'
"The women and babies are not II
blame. and they are the ones to feel
the suffering most" said Stuart quiet
ly.
"Well, you can use your money that
way If you want to, but don't waste
mine on people who don't know when
they're well off,
Stuart rose and stood with his back
to the fire. He was agitated with all
the new IDEAS that had crowded into
his life since the day God had spoken 10
him. lie felt that the revolution in him
would cut square across all the tradi'
tions and usages OF polite society cSpc'
cially in the matter of money and It's
personal expenditure.
Finally Louise and Aunt Royal took
up the subject Of the coming party and
began discussing the families who
were invited
Stuart stiIl stood silently crgrosscd
In his own thoughts and hearing only
now and then a word. At last he was
reused by Louise.
stuart. will you sing with Una next
week? You remember that duo you
sang before you went abroad"
Yes; III sing If am here that even
ing replied Stuart, with feeling that
he was fast losing all his interest in the
things that once amused him. He had
splendid baritone voice and was L IA
vorite singer with all his friends.
"Why, are you planning to be away!
"No; did not know what might
happen under the condition OF the