The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-05

her as she took supplies from under the room, where the dessert for dinner had been laid out. whats here?" said Mrs. Prior. Almonds and raisins, macaroons. preserved apricotsf" Don't, Mrs Prior," expostulated Bedford. T really must tell the governor if you take any more of them. I'm blessed if you haven't been at the sherry bottle again. It was only last week I wopped the boy for stealing the sherry. and twas you who done it. Its Prior, slowing away the articles in her capacious pockets. "what won't & moth- CT do for sick child?'
 Batchelor wondered If he could stand Mrs. Prior for a mother-in-law. But then this Boax of a Level was rich and this ruthless Ruth was hungry and poor. When she trotted back to her home with her gave her. She was Elizabeth's mothef, you knowi At luncheon the next day Lady Baker announced that her dear son, Captain Clarence, recently sold out of the army, would arrive. And where will Captain Baker sleepy" inquired her lady ship. Miss Prior meekly said that the captain could have the pink room. "T'he room on my landing?" exclaimed Lady Baker; Impossible. Clarence is always house with smoke. He shall not sleep in the pink room. I expected the ground floor room which this-eh-gentleman-- refuses to vacate." This gentleman smokes, too," said Batchelor quietly, "and is so comfortable where he is that he proposes to remain there" 'Haspic of plover's eggsr' said Badford, reaching the
 delectabls dish over Batchelors shoulder and whispering. ''oive 1t to her; give 1t
 her" There is an inn at tho Heath" TO- stunned Batchelor, land if Captain Baker must smoke he may have room there" l 'eir, my son does not life at inns." cried Lady Baker. 'Oh, grandma, don't he, thought" cannes in little Popham,
 ''and wasn't there jolly row at the Star and Garter? And didn't pa pay Uncle Clarence's bill there, though7" "Oh, my ceciliap' cries Lady Baker. raising her arms while Popham, nistakins the motion. cried out, You shan't hit me! You shan't hit mei'' and began squarins away at his grandmother. T will leave
 the house this instant" says Lady Baker.
 and swept from the room looking as
 much like Lady Macbeth as 1t was pos
 sible for her to do. It was an absurd
 incident and, of course, Lady Baker did
 not so. But 1t served to show how happy 1 his relatives made for him the home of
 Lovel the widower.
 Captain Clarence arrived, very drunk of
 course, and when he saw Miss Prior he
 looked at her with a strange expression, l as if his feeble mind was trying to re- l call something. After olnner the captain l was 70 very bad and abusive and 50 in- sisted upon referring to the old Quarrels between the departed Mrs. Lovel and her mother that Lovel left the room. Don't you go. too, Batchslor." says the captain l Cecilia wanted to marry Tom Mountain you know. It's all Lady Bakers fault. ] this match was. Mountain had no money to be sure. but he was . gentlsmAn and better than this confoundsd sugar baker out of Radcliffe Highway" You seem te ! like the confounded sugar bakers claret.' T | says Batcheior ''Yss, of course" repliss 1 the captain, ''his wines and his food are well enough. What does 1t matter? He l can afford 1t. Hs has all sorts of money Now, if you gave a good dinner 1t might mean sornething-for you don't look as fl l you wsrs over wealthy. But the sugar baker, Why. its no credit to him that he gives good dinners"
 Alter tho arrival of ths captaln Mia