The sun., 1909-06-06
~ TAWDREY HOUSE
The Counterfeits.

As I lolled by the desk. both for lack
and in hope Of better things to do. heard
the clerk thus gayly aocosted:
sOh. MIR. Billikins. here is the 500 you
% kindly let me have the other day. Now
don't forget to scratch 1t of my account
you dear man. and thank you
1t was Mrs. Lemuel Neiff who laid the
glittering piece on the counter and then
tripped blithely away. leaving even a
touch OF tenderness on Billikins's satur-
nine face. A pretty woman still. despite
the faded eyes and the light curls reck-
leesly stuck here and there-what was
more. an attractive woman.
From her fattering tones. her caressins g
smile. her pleading hands. to the plump
and pleasing curves Of her form coquet-
tishly adorned, everything about Mrs
Neih, 80 spontaneous and natural even
when artificial. combined to make her
Q general and constant favorite in the
house. A tribute to clever geniality
In any case. but all the more remarkable
when one recalled. as |, as an old friend,
could. the Thousand and one ways Of
Indirect asking and direct taking by
which she and her husban d managed TO
II not meagre income.
Lem and l. ouise they we're affection
atsly II patronizingly called; and he wns
a. harmless, il not so enterprising. as
she. A quiet. agreeable man, who never
protested. who always accepted in
chronic good nature. it was a positive
wedding benediction to see him arrayed
for stroll Of Sunday afternoon immaci-
late In high hat. long coat and patent
pumps. with a gardenia in his button
hole. so blissfully proud Of the wife who
walked at his side.
He thought her perfection and she
thought him ducky dear, They worked
together in harmony; and II they also
worked their friends, they did it in kind
illness. with keen appreciation Of benefits
received and to come.
Among my avocations have a pretty
taste for coins. and the coin that Mrs.
Nefh had fiippantly paid over was Of an
early and rare date. though as fresh and
crisply milled as II hot from the mint.
I'D just as lief give you small bills
for that; Il you like ! % remarked with
Thanks awfully, sniffen.- replied the
sarcastic Billikins. Your wish would be
law OF course, only it happens have
other orders-superior orders-not to
pay out any more Of them either to priest
or prattlerA; and he tossed the piece into
the drawer.
Very good; half the srdor OF the chase
is the Difficulty Of 1t. | lost no time In
Joining Mrs. Neiff where she sat in normal
radiance waiting for the dinner hour to
draw near
If you will only tell me where you
got il, perhaps ] might pick up another
She shook her fair. fat head mischie-
vously.
i couldn't do that she replied. sbut
] will do better. See, here ia piece just
like 1t which you may have without any
premium but continued regard"
As she drew the coin from the silver
linked purse | could see through the
meshes at least a dozen mates OF il. I
must say that | shifted surprisedly. re-
membering how late it was in the month |
and the small loan Lem had felt himself
obliged to make Of me week ago. until
the frst, you know, old man.
Il am so very glad" said in explana-
tion.
Il know you are she replied trium-
our good fortune; but for the present,
NUNS the word.
'There'l be plenty. OF it later she
glrgled artlessly. and Of birds TO match
Tho bots. Lem is looking for a car, and
he has the refusal Of swell house down
what. won't there be doings, after
the long. lean years! We won't forget
those who have been kind tn US either.
Mr.. Sniffen; that's not our style.
~Ah, there he is now, the ducky ds,r.'