Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-02-09
The Vanquished
Cigar
By EMILY GRANT HUTGHINGS

! of his somewhat unusual conduct ga has a
right to know what his money is being spent
for and IL Florence won't tell me- 1t is my bust
ness to find OUT
n The muttered words lost themselves in his thick
black mustache his fingers fell upon tiny Rus
STA leather volume. With the sensations of an
amateur thief, he opened the book and hastily
scanned its pages.
"Aha! Just as suspected" he remarked in an
injured tone "every third item is candy. Bon
(bons, 25c; pound of chocolates, 40c; peppermint
waters, 15c-its shame and an outrage. I shall
speak to the little woman about it," and Rodney
sprang from his chair only to be confronted by
! the flashing eyes of his wife,
"And what right have you in m,y writing DESK
Mr.. Denton?" she asked angrily.
"The right that any 1aboring man has to know
how his money is being used" with unnecessary
stress the word Tailoring" Florence, I
thought you had better Judgment. Truly am dis
appointed in you," he returned in a ponderous
tone but the wind had somehow deserted the
sails of his wrath. How could a scold so
charming creature as the little woman who
stood before him-all the more charming for the
flush of anger on her pretty face?
"You said when we married that if could
keep house on hundred dollars month I would
: be doing better than you expected. And you know
Rodney Denton, you know I have never asked
for an extra cent"
81 must admit the truth of that statement" her
husband replied almost sheepishly. But it is not
necessary to waste your surplus money useless
lluxuries. We have Lorene to rear and educate
and a wise mother should sacrifice something for
her child" He felt that his words were hopelessy
i fiat; but with those flashing black eyes upon him.
he could think of nothing else to say
N "And what about wise fathers and cigars?" and
there light of triumph in those same black
'eyes. 81 haven't had all my trouble for nothing.
| can give you the figures to prove that, for the
past four years, your cigar bill has been exactly
three times as big as my candy bill. Oh, I've
kept tab on you ever since we have been married"
The husband looked crestfallen.
"Oh, well-thats a different thing" he faltered
"a has to smoke decent cigars, and besides
If you spent your money for cigars, I shouldn't
say word. There is some consolation in good
cigar; but candy! Bah, the thought of the dis
gushing, sweet stuff makes me SICK
well won't any more Rodney DEAR" the little
woman said coaxingly she hid her face against
his breast to conceal a naughty smile that had
sprung all unbidden to her pretty mouth. 4 don't
want you to be vexed with me, and do try to be
a good wife,"
"And you are the best wife in the world" her
husband said, giving her genuine big hug. 1--WE
will mention the subject again."
On that point Florence thought differently; but
she said nothing. The next morning she informed
him that the little hall to contain
birthday surprise for him and that he must not
go near it for the next week, on pain of immed-
late death.
With more curiosity than he cared to admit even
to himself Rodney eyed the closed door of that
room, until the birthday morning Then, inter-
rupting the process of toilet-making, he remarked
in a tone that was intended to sound Indifferent
Am I to have my birthday gift now, or must
I wait until after breakfast?
Indeed, you not to have it until you get
home from the bank this evening"" was the mex
orable reply.
Mr.. Denton found it difficult to keep his mind
down to business that day, and as soon as he
could leave, he bolted for home. stopping only to
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