The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1902-01-02
SUpERFhUOUS
~ CASH ~
By E. e. GHRNETT.
Z Z 4. a. q Z < g !: 4 !:
Copyright. 1901, By Authors syndicatsJ

had their everyday fold and suffered
the usual Indifferent glances; but
with the crisp rattle of the opening
sheets came startled exclamation and
coffee and steak at many tables grew
cold. Neale and Company had failed.
For Nea.e himself the readers did not
concern themselves; he had many
irons in the fire and the falling of one
was bagatelle, but Company was
a different story. Phil Graham's all
was vested in that title, and the
town loved Phil Moreover, the town
had advised him as to the unlucky
venture, so responsibility weighted its
sympathy.
Something must be done" said
Maj. Anderson, taking gulp from
his chilled cup.
But what?" asked pretty Nell.
Then there was pause, with family
of wrinkled brows
"You see," said Miss Benton, who
was the majors ward, there is moth
ing man is more fastidious about
than the way he is helped"
The Andersons all looked at her
and then took demurely to their
breakfasts. They had suddenly re-
called the fact that this subject was
of more importance to her than to
anyone else except Company" him
self, and they found comfort in the
thought of her income.
True" and the major smiled as he
indorsed her remark, and the greater
his need the more pigheaded Phil will
get"
80, if | might suggest" coloring
daintily.
"Yes?" The major bent his hand
some gray head in gracious defer
ence.
II should let him alone"
oh" said Nell, aghast, mot even
sympathize?'
Doesn't sympathy in such case
carry bit of humiliation? As if one
wer, not equal to emergencies"
The major laughed. "Of course"
he said, "a young lady with three
thousand year in her own right
knows about the way to fight emer-
eencies."
AT this point a note came in for
Miss Benton, which she excused her
self to read She grew white over it.
The Audersons after a furtive glance
api kept their eyes politely to
tes and talked as fast as pos
,reign subjects. All stood
til breaths of relief. Miss
. wed the major to his
osed the door after her,
his courage" she said, alb.
but / forgot the weak side
4is pride"
'Ah," said the major, gently put
ting her into a chair, "he releases
you?"
(Which is absurd" with a wan
smile, what shall l do?"
WELL" walking up and down and
frowning, 'as I've said, he's pig
headed; but" a sudden smile flash
ing out, "a beautiful girl''-and he
made a little courtly sweep of hands
to show the helplessness Of the world
before her will.
NO" flushing, "he has gone away"
= 4.es, he had gone promptly away.
A vision of Miss Benton's eyes with
tears among the lashes went along,
but he frowned it all down, rejecting
upon the two or three households of
his acquaintance where the wife held
the purse. A pretty position for a
man of honor and brains and muscle
to call on his wife to pay his butcherl
sight of Miss Benton and did book
keeping at $1,000 year.
But a woman's will is not so easily
dismissed. Some three months later
there came a letter from the one
friend of the old town to whom he
had confded his address, and it had
this paragraph: you have heard of
Miss Benton's trouble? 1t is rumored
that she has lost absolutely every
thing, and | judge there can be no
mistake, for she has sold her ponies,
dismissed her maid and is advertis-
ing, poor girl, for a position as gov
erness."
That day Phil spent studying do
smestic economy and the possibilities
of twelve hundred a year. The next
found him with a fortnight's leave of
absence and a seat in an east-bound
train.
II ought to send you away" said
Miss Benton, with sigh and pout
and furtive glance of alteration,
''but l cannot"
Perhaps" laughed Phil, "you may
do that later; but" with a look in
fnitely satisfactory to Miss Benton,
money is not everything"
Some two years had passed when
the major happened in Chicago and
called on his late ward. The street
was not fashionable one, and the
house, though coy and artistic, was
small and plain.
"You don't mean to say" gasped
the major, staring from the late Miss
Benton's simple dress to the very
plain furniture of her sitting-room,
you don't mean to say"
Hush" laughing, with a finger on
her lips, II have never told him"