The wageworker., 1910-01-29

An Embarrassment Of Riches
By MARY C. PADEN
(copyright by Short Stories Co. Ltd3

overturning Of treasure-trove on book
counters. to order shallow. effusive.
much begilt and crimsoned book-per-
sonalities.
He turned suddenly on poor Jones
with desperation that startled that
good man:
Find me a good, genuine use for
this money within 80 days; or, after
paying you for your trouble and set
ting aside barely enough to secure
me bread and water, a quiet roof and
decent disposal of my body, 1 swear
l shall convert this pile into green
backs, and, not in the vulgar idiom OF
the day, but actually-burn them, and !
sit down to peaceful study without |
this nightmare of responsibility!
Then Lawyer Jones found it was
not easy to place one million odd IN
just the right place. Lawyer Jones
began to feel vicarious irritation
He. too, wished to slash the Gordian
knot. Mrs. Jones thought she saw
the simplest end to pull, unraveling 1t
all.
IF he would just marry!" she said
oracularly.
enjoyed extraordinarily a dainty tea
awaiting him, served as invisibly as
prisoners when his back was turned
or he was in another room; also, an
extra handful of Goals in the yawning
CRATE.
This won't do" he said, suddenly,
recalling himself. Il shall turn gour-
met and sybarite. caught myself
several times to-day turning from my
book and pen to wonder what dainty
would be served me this night, and
| what delicate mending, as of a hand
worthy to tool delicate cover,
should find in my hitherto neglected
| clothes-basket."
20, Granny, what a wizard old Geof-
| fry isl" this with familiar love, not
| irrevorence. How he knows the
| spirit of spring that stirs the restless
heart in all of us and makes us long
: to go and grow and be and do and
| enjoy."
] Was that what allied him, too-the
| restless spring? asked Kynett. And
had he needed girlish voice to trans
late one of his Masters?
I
the way of youth, dearies. To us it
brings memories"
But it stirs you, tool" This i'm
pulsively. Il saw it in your eyes; it
thrilled in your voice"
you are restless tonight, dearies.
What ails you?"
"Oh, want" She threw her fair
arms over her head, the soft laces
falling away from them.
What ethereal boon did this an
gelic soul crave? Something angels
alone could grant. surely!
Il want-money!"
The hidden door creaked again be-
hind the portiere.
"Fie! What to do with it?"
"Do? I'd never stop doing. I'd
never stop to think what I'd do l
wouldn't trouble to plan; just start
a river of good and keep it going.
Do? Well, to start, I'd see that those
hands of yours rested eight hours a
day. I wouldn't slave in that bindery
but spend-oh, all the time l could
spare from doing good-in a book
shop. I'd see that poor Mr.. Kynett
had three good meals day and a few
pair of socks that were not pepper
boxes for holes, and-other things.
I'd even buy silly little Mimette 100
yards of ribbon of all colors, since she
loves ribbons. I'd"
Il But Searle guiltily slid the door into
place and retired to his dull quarters.
One morning he remembered what
it was Lawyer Jones had said women
liked. He had thought it trivial at
| ALL
now-sealskin, diamonds, coach.
He went to the great furriers and
selecting a small saleswoman, ordered
the most magnificent coat they had, to
fit one of her build, and ordered 1t
sent, spite of the season. Where? He
!, , gravely dictated, amid the smiles OF
the saleswomen:
Dearie, care of Widow Gray T
. There was amazement on the other
side of the curio-house that night
since there was no clew to the sender
of the magnificent gift.
Next morning, a grave coachman
, stopped fine pair of horses, with an
irreproachable turnout, at the GRAY
door, and he and the footman report
ed to Miss Dearie."
4 The widow questioned to some pur
pose, in the confusion following he1
announcement that there was nc
, stable She went to Mr.. Kynett.
Let one be built" he decreed, as
Haroun might.
Then the widow declared she must
J, send for Lawyer Jones. The grave
. coachman suggested commission o.
! lunacy aside. but Dearie spoke vi
! blushingly:
: 1.-THE poor fellow is only over
worked and undernourished We will
9 take care of him and bring hin
q through"
:. Searle submitted to this role unit
!. the two good souls thought they ha.
= effected cure and Grannie consented
a to be mother to him, and Dearie t,