The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1906-09-23
.IOHN RICHARDSON'S WEALTH.
BY MARY L. BRAY.

L. BRAI. '-f
spent his money He had rehected
thousand times in the past two years
when the chafng began to be Deep
that they all spent his money.
An appreclative light cleaned In ms
Miss Lawlor," he said kindly. play
me a game of checkers.
She answered that she didn't kno"
the game. ., o,,
never played?
ooh yes" she answered. but not
since twenty years ago, when l played
with my father. I have forgotten
now" -,
I'm tired playing solitaire and drink
ing these fool connections. almost
wish sometimes that / was drinking
man. / might get some pleasure out
OF that
Miss Lawler rose with some hesita-
ton. Thank you, Mr.. Richardson, but
1 don't think I'd better. There Is SO
much work for me to superintend-
He interrupted her ironically. "Wor-
rying about earning your salary are
vou?
"oh, no." she said hastily; but that
is not what l am here for; and Mrs.
Richardson"
He interrupted her almost savagely
| II hired YOU, DIDN'T /? It's my house
you are keeping. isn't it? 1 ask you to
| play me a game of checkers"
Subdued, Miss Lawlor sat down. She
was not released at the end of the first
game, and by the second her spirits
were quite aroused. The moves were
made swiftly. They chatted and
laughed "Chtck!" she cried gaily, and
the word almost froze as it passed
her lips, for coming up the steps OF
the piazza was the younger Mrs. Rich
ardson, her expression Inlngling Of
surprise and disapproval. Miss Law
| lor rose hastily. scarlet with embar-
| rassment.
Il asked Miss Lawlor to play, Ethel
berta,'' said Mr.. Richardson.
| Did you?" she SAID indifferently
Miss Lawlor. l trust you have ar
ranged to accommodate Mr.. and Mrs
Elmendorf, who are to arrive this at
| ternoon?"
Il have, Mrs Richardson" she an.
| swered, and, escaped into the house"
The young woman stood a minute
| evideatly cogitating a remark, but as
her father-inlaw advanced no word
she thouhgt better of 1t and went in
The next afternoon Miss Lawlor wa.
not to be found when he sent for her.
land consequently he had a scrawly
note delNeTeus bldtiHS ludt d part VI
her housekeeping duties would there
after be to play checkers every after
rcon with him until further not.1e
Miss I.awlor was obedient and lost her
tsmidity. as they were able to play
undiscovered for several afternoons
Ethelberta had not come upon them
possibly because she happened to- be
amusing herself elsewhere, chiefly be-
cause 1t did not occM to her that he'
manifest displeasure Would be incurred
again The hour between three and
four of every afternoon came to be the
one. of enjoyment of his life. patiently
| to be waited for all morning and pleas
lantly remembered ali the ensuing after
noon and evening Had Ethelbertl
hut known, it.served rather as a safety
| valve for the mood which might have
| cleared out" most of her guests But
one afternoon when they had finished
the game and were quietly talking
EtheIbcrta came into view. Miss Law
lor started -
sit STILL" he said.
1t was too late to move, although
Mrs Richardson was not yet upon
them AS two accused children. they
waited unashamed for her appfoach
She arrived. stepped. surveyed then
curiously; then swept on In freezing
silence under which Miss Lawlei
shrank and John Richardson. in spite
of his impassive countenance, hold mis-
breath. He sat there, his eyes stu
watching the doorway, revolving men
tally many things long after Miss Law
llor had followed Mrs. Richardson In.
He was the only member or tn
household who rose early. because M