The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1908-11-16


heart sank as they descended. Paul
fretted inwardly over the wasteful
use Of the electricity, the whole house
being illuminated; he regarded with
perturbation the modern appliances
at every turn, which would be very
expensive to maintain; and he esti-
mated with alarm that It would re-
quire at least one years income to
stock the wine-cellar.
His three conductors, each In turn,
pointed out to him the costly wood
work, the rich draperies, the expen
sive rugs. the rare furniture; and he
was extravagant in his praise, while
mentally he was at work on his prob
lem
81 never saw anything so complete
In all my life." declared his wife,
when they were alone What on
earth is the matter with you? You
don't seem one bit pleased"
Getting used to 1t, ! guess" eau
tiously replied the husband. with
forced laugh. at is certainly very
fine"
"You know papa" she observed
proudly. He never stops at cost"
by no means. | wonder If he
was ever poor"
"oh, papa was frightfully poor
when he came to America"
ITO be sure" he remarked in medi-
tation. Then he got start. After
you get a start once, you are all
right We must be very careful un-
I'll we get a start.
"Yes, indeed, very" she exclaimed
earnestly. Wont 1t be great fun to
be savlngY'
"oh, certainly, great fun" he
agreed vaguely. regarding her with
perplexity. singular | never thought
OF It before in that way"
You see. have never had to be
saving. shall start in by getting
set Of books and putting down every
penny don't know the first thing
about bookkeeping, but shall man
age somehow. Wouldn't II be lovely
TO fix up an Office, high desk, safe,
aud all that?"
He suppressed cry of alarm, and
pretended to review the subject with
careful deliberation before he OBJ
served: well, yes, It would be the
proper thing, no doubt. but ! would
not do 1t just yet dearest Our In
come, you know. Is very small"
II have such poor memory for
figures. You told me Il was thirty
thousand, or thirteen; at any rate
there was a three in it."
Three thousand, my dear, just a
miserable three thousand he said
with emphasis.
$50 it was" agreed his wife. with
| supreme Indifference.
"Heavensl' he cried with conster-
nation; then he managed to cover
his dismay with a weak smile, as he
continued, my right foot has gone
asleep. If you don't mind I'll walk
around the block before retiring"
When he was out on the street. he
relieved his pent-up feelings with
! great freedom. and directed a long
| string of imprecations on the Offend
ing mansion. with it's win ows still
all ablaze and the lighting-bill
mounting up at frightful rate.
The child has not the faintest idea
OF our position. Three thousand or
thirty thousand is all one to her
Here is a pretty state of affairs!
Lights going in every room full
blast, rs If | we're a millionaire. Ser
wants 80 thick they stumble over one
another. I'm afraid to count them!
wouldn't be surprised If the cooks
pay is as large as my own. Curse the
luck, anyway, What right has a rich
old father-in-law to saddle an ele-
phant like this on young fellow?'
When he came home the next even
ing, a fresh surprise was awaiting
him, In the person of very dignified
butler who met him at the door. AN
old and valued acquaintance OF his,
who had long served in similar
capacity in the Barney family. He
made some confused remarks about
his pleasure In seeing him there, and
then hurried up stairs in search OF
his wife.
81 came across Dobson at the door,
he began cautiously.
Was II not jolly surprise?" ex'
claimed his wife, with bubbling de-
light. II never dreamed of such lucl
myself Papa sent him over with &
note that we were to keep him. Now
think everything is complete, dear
ie, don't you?"
"But-you know-we cannot keel
him." he observed. after moment
OF painful hesitation. "You certain
~ know that 1t is altogether i'm
possible"
''Is it?" she returned with surprise
looking up at him helplessly 20
course we really need a butler. ant
Dobson Is so reliable"
But, nay dear girl. how shall WI
, pay him2"
There II is again-those frightfu
figuresl" she cried. with pouting pet
ulance. 1T Is really too bad tina
these nasty figures must bob up ol
every occasion"