The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1907-01-19

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ant parlors, here, there and every
where-May with her sweet, pale
face and earnest blue eyes, and Kittie
with her saucy, piquant face, mis-
chievous brown eyes and ringing
laugh. It was pleasant family scene,
thought the guests, and who was to
know how much planning and plot
ting and vexation of soul these girls
had undergone to obtain their pretty
! costumes, and even the refreshments
set before the guests Not the bride,
certainly.
But one month later occurred the
following conversation, which showed
that her eyes were opened
"Girls," she said, entering their
room with an annoyed expression on
her usually bright face, ''is it really
true that your father, with his for
tune, has never made you an allow
ance for dress and one for housekeep-
ing1 It is not possible that you have to
go to him for every article you need r.
"Itis just that way mamma Belle,
said Kittie, winding her arm about
and drawing her to seat on the sofa.
"And l am awfully glad you found
it out"
''Why, it is perfectly ridiculous, ;"
said Mrs. Harlan, for man to be
concerned about butter and eggs and
shoe strings and hairpins, and ] am
going to make change" :"
"But how will you do it" said
Kittie. "He has always done just
that way, and I am afraid 'Ephraim
is joined to his idols. :"
s'But won't have it that way"
and the black eyes flashed. "You
know something about my former
trials, Kittie. I have said I would
never be worried that way again and
won't. / shall make bold de-
mand in the morning for an allow
ance for you for dress and one for
myself for housekeeping, and if it is
not granted then | shall try strategy.
So look out, and with little def
ant nod she was gone.
The next morning Mrs. Harlan, in
her neat morning wrapper, beamed
brightly at the judge from the head
of the table, and there being no SER
wants present. said pleasantly:
"What allowance have you usually
made for housekeeping expenses,
Judge Harlan1 Kittie abdicates for
me this morning, and I wish to start
just right"
"Ahem - coughed the judge, ''I
have never made an allowance, my
dear. / always like to know where
the money goes. When you need
anything just come to me. +"
Much to the girls surprise their
stepmother only laughed pleasantly,
and replied
"Oh ! if you like to be bothered
that way it's all right. I suppose it
would be pleasanter for you to leave
such trivial matters to US women.
But an hour later the girls were en-
lightened. and, Judging from the
peals Of laughter that came from their
room something very funny was un-
der discussion. That afternoon, court
being in session. number of lawyers
had sought the judge in his library,
and in the midst of the elucidation of
some abstruse point he was inter-
rupted by Kittie, who bowed grace
fully to the lawyers and laid her hand
on her fathers shoulder.
eff you please, papa" she said,
II want ten cents to get some hair
pins to hold up my hair
every much annoyed the judge
gave her a dollar, and she said
Thanks, papa, but this is too
much. Shall I bring you back the
change :"
mo, nc" he said hurriedly, IT
am busy now Kitty. Run away"
And Kittie ran away, with her
handkerchief in her mouth and her
cheeks crimson with suppressed laugh
ter. Hardly had she left the room
when May stood upon the threshold,
aud said in her quiet voice
"Papa, I need new lace for my
throat and sleeves. Can you give me
the money now?"
He asked no questions this time,
but hurriedly gave her twice the
amount necessary. But she saw by
the compression of his lips that he
was angry and hastily retreated. And
the next moment Mrs. Harlan herself
swept in among them, bowling grace
fully, and said
Excuse the interruption, judge
and gentlemen, but, my dear, / must
have fifty cents for the baker, and
oh, yes the same amount for the
butter man. And the coffee is out,
cook says"
For an instant dark frown dis
figured the handsome face of her
lord and MASTER" and he looked
decidedly angry. But he had great
regard for appearances, SO he quietly
handed her his purse, with the re-
mark, "Get what you want, my
DEAR, and the lady retired saying
coolly, "Sorry to interrupt. but these
things must be attended to, you
know" and looking up the judge
caught CLEAN in her eyes that told
him half the truth.
So the lawyers went home, wonder
ing at the queer way the judge man
aged his domestic economy ,and at din
ner the Judge said little brusquely :
'sRather than be annoyed the way
/ was today, I have concluded to give
you girls so much month for dress,
and, you my dear, so much for house
keeping. You may set your own
estimate"
And then he was astonished by a
chorus of laughter, and the descent
upon him of three pairs of arms and
three pairs of lips. and in that way he
saw through their game. 1t was
rather rough little lesson, but q
| wary offacf,1o1 ono And en- u0.