The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-05-21

say IL did not matter. so she could con-
duct her to some modest cafetier.
why, / don't know. I'm sure" re-
piled the other; "supposing We go to
Purcelrs."
Purcelrs! One Of the most expensive
places in the city. where you pay ffty
cents for a glass OF water and the priv
l:ese of sitting down: MRS. Whipple-
ton felt a cold chill creep over her
body. and her own appetite vanished as
II by enchantment
"Yes, Purcell's is a good place" she
affirmed family. She was commencing
% be somewhat suspicious OF Miss
Schubert, and she recalled to mind
several stories which represented mu'
sicians as a half-starved class who
could devour untold quantities OF food
as often as they happened to have the
opportunity. But hoping for the best
she plucked up new courage-perhaps
Miss Schubert was an exception!
They were soon seated at q coy
table, Mrs. Whippleton at the head'
with her friend and Harold on either
side. On the way to the restaurant the
latter had pressed his stomach convrl'
sively several times and Informed his
mother how hungry he was. Harold
was not one OF those spiritual boys
who live on the simple diet CT thought;
on the contrary. q full plate OF sub
stantial food usually disappeared with
amazing rapidity under the well d.
rected attacks Of his knife and fork,
and he often wanted more. This ap-
petite. upon which his mother had pre-
yiously looked with pleasure. was now
liable to prove fatal, SO she despairing
ly thought, but she did not dare to say
anything to him for fear Of attracting
her friends attention.
II think will take some lobster 10
Newburg," suddenly remarked Miss
Schubert, after consulting the bill Of
fare.
Mamma. what Is that? ! want
some, too, said Harold. impatient to
begin.
Mira. whippleton's heart sack within
her, and she made rapid mental cal.
culation. The menu said: Lobster q
In Newburg. Is cents. Three times 20
equals $2.25-no. that was impossible.
mo. Harold. that is bad for your
stomach" she said. turning to her son.
II myself am not very hungry. SO l
will Just take a chop and there viii
be enough for you, too, Harold"
But, mamma. I can eat two chops
alone; ! always do at home" The
boys voice broke on suddenly as he
felt his mothers foot descend with
force upon his own under the table.
Wont you have anything else" In
quired Mrs. Whippleton, addressing
her friend and not needing Harolds
walls.
why, yes; I think would like some
French peas" returned the other.
Another mental calculation: Lobster.
IS cents; chop. so; peas, 25; total. $3.50
the Rubicon was passed. Mrs. Whip
yleton was desperate and she resolved
to die eating bravely and trust to
Providence to pay the bill.
II guess ! will take sore French
peas also; and you had better have
some. too. Harold-tnree orders OF
peas" she said. turning to the waiter.
and you might make it two portions
Of chops instead Of one."
Throughout the meal Mrs. Whipple-
ton was apparently the gayest Of the
gay. but while her lips smiled and her
eyes beamed benevolently on her friend
her heart was heavy. and she won.
dered how il was all to end. II she
could only. by some mental process,
transfer q few Of her husbands green.
backs into her own little purse, how
she would rejoice. But. alas! that was
impossible, and the account was stead
lily mounting upward. Every few mo-
ments Miss Schubert would order
something else; she appeared to have
been fasting for weeks just for this
occasion. and every time she sent for
a supplement. Harold would conclude
that he would like some Of the same.
His mother let him 80 on In his mad
course, for she felt that the crash
might as well be q big one as q small
one.
Finally, after finishing with peach
ice cream and charlotte russo. the time
for settlement arrived. and Mrs. Whip
pleton prepared herself for the shock.
But Just as she was ON the verge Of
desperation, q well known voice
sounded in her ears. and q mans hand
was laid upon her shoulder. With q
cry she looked up and saw her hus-
band. Heaven had pitied her and had
sent q messenger to release her from
her predicament.
As she arose and greeted him she
whispered softly In his ear:
Dear. dear George; you have come
in the nick Of time. Here. pay this
bill. for I only have dollar and thir-
ty.five cents"
Her husband looked at the account,
which had reached the Olympian
heights Of Si.T5. and with side glance
at Miss Schubert. who was standing
q few feet away, engaged in putting
on her gloves. he asked In low voice:
But what would you have done II
I had not Gomez