The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1913-08-26
BY MABEL HERBERT URNER.

the holidays. Helen had received
her in the front room rather for
mally, but when the baby began
to cry they had both gone into the
nursery.
While Helen quoted Winifred, Mrs.
Curtis was looking around very critl-
cally. Helen knew she had called to
comment on the expensive furs War
rem had bought her, and on the few
other extravagances in which they had
INDUCED since his profitable specula-
ton.
She had long ceased to wonder how
his family seemed to know of every
purchase she made. To that fact she
became recOnciled but she never be-
came reconciled to their criticism of
their interference.
And now she wondered with min
gled curiosity and resentment just how
Mrs Curtis woulG manage to bring the
conversation around to the furs and
just what criticism she would make.
And she determined to make it as diff
ficult for her as she could.
Several times when she saw that the
subject of expenses was being adroitly
led up to, just as adrOitly she contin-
ued to talk of the baby-its new dim
ple-the way it COOS in the morning
and how it loves it's bath.
MUSICAL EDUCATION.
Suddenly a hand organ began to
play in the street below and the baby
crowed with delight.
She loves music sol" explained Hell
en- proudly.
Yes, Warren always loved music"
said his mother compacently, "all my
children did"
Helen repressed a smile Every de-
sirable trait that the baby showed was
always attributed to Warren-and all
the undesirable ones to her.
And l suppose you planning to
give her a good musical education"
Mrs. Curtis went on.
"Oh, yes, Helen answered. Just as
soon as she is old enough we are go
ing to start her"
well, you know that is an expen-
sive training, and now is the time you
and Warren should begin laying aside
for that purpose. By the time she is
old enough to take Iessons-there may
be other babies. And you may be less
able to spare the money then than
now l think all parents should begin
to provide for their children as soon
as they are born.
Helen knew what was coming, but
to the very excellent advice she could
only murmur a yes, that is a very
good plan"
And l suppose you and Warren are
putting aside something each month
with that in view"
We'll, no-not yet. OF course, we
expect to-but we haven't begun, yet"
THE FURS AT LAST.
I'm afraid, Helen, you're inclined
to spend a great deal on clothes. OF
course, I never want to interfere, but
Carrie noticed you at church with
some expensive new furs. 1t seems to
me what witt all the expenses you and
Warren have had this year-it would
have been better to have waited.
Helen flushed. Warren bought me
those furs, Mrs. Curtis!"
ooh, of course, Warren wants you.
to have the best of everything; that's
quite natural. And he is always so gen.
erous. But you should discourage him
when you feel it is more than you can
afford"
For a moment Helen wanted to tell
her the truth-that Warren had been
speculating and had bought the furs
with some of the money made that
way. And then she realized she would
only call down upon herself an ava
lanche of criticism-Mrs. Curtis would
claim it was all her fault, that it was
to supply her with needless luxuries!
And besides Warren would be furious
if she told his mother. His father
would hear of it then, and he had al
ways been most bitter against specu-
lating of any kind.
Helen, as | said before, | don't
wish to interfere. This is something
you and Warren must decide for your
selves. But l think it is your duty to
do something now to provide for your
child's future"
That evening when Warren came
home Helen greeted him with:
Your mother has been here
That's so?" carelessly. What did
she have to say"
Carrie has seen ny new furs at
Cnufcn. ana your mOtner thought we
been most eXtravagant. | think she
called purposely to tell me So
Il wish Carrie would attend to her
own affairs"
We'll, you know she won't. And now
they are blaming me for leading you
into rash expenditures"
He laughed. You don't mind do
youo You say they blame you for ev-
erything, so you ought to be used to
t by this time"