The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-05-27

been 30 long since she had spent
prodigally! Her next extravagance
was set Of four hanging ferneries.
which the florist. who had just ar
ner wanting. $40. s.
The only ones in town. ne tempt-
ed: Them rustic pots and thena
Drass chains will look pretty swell
hanging up between your honey
suckle vines. ~
The brass chains settled It.: she had
to have them. She answered quickly,
1or rear She would change her MIND.
AS he started to put the Movers in:
sne went inside. YEARLY she dropped
into one OF the big sitting room
chairs She had only $40 left!
Yet, 1t must be confessed, she was
not. wailing over the money spent
not yet: she was wondering ii she
dared spend that remaining twenty
Il do need a tea set SO badly to go
on that rustic tabouret!" she longed:
green one would be irresistible.
1t was irresistible. Within the hour
she had chosen one, down street. At
o'clock that afternoon 1t was on the
tabouret
And at 4 o'clock Allison. dressed
IN COOL green and white striped
wolfe, was sitting in the new hanging
~s'~~@9 ~ASA SOu6At tn11lhAn6 OVCA A1CA
sins.
oh, here comes Mrs. Grenville!' she
cried. watching q spare. darkly dressed
woman pick her way over the lawn.
or course she's come to hear all about
the changes
But Mrs. Grenville did not hear about
the changes. She heard a low. melod-
ious ripple Of rather nervous general
taik- She received a cup Of delicious
tea from the new green teapot. AL
though she remarked upon the delight
ful color scheme. she was able to evoke
very little that was satisfa Glory regard
ing the sudden change.
At last the caller went. Allison sank
pack In the swing Imply. She covered
ner face with her hands. The woman's
tax had frritated her. She wanted to
think-to regret with all her heart the
reckless expenditures. Why, why, had
she done it? Had she actually planned
1t deliberately?
In looking back over it now it seemed
incredible that she had. II surely didn' t
plan it," she told herself, repeatedly.
II did It because I was swept away by
that old, old love of spending. Why,
I'd have been mad to think that Tom
could care more about a wife as foolish
AS lawless as that"
Then came the hour for Toms home
coming. Instead Of waiting for him at
the door, as usual Allison just crept
into his den and curled herself up mis-
erably in his big leather chair.
WHATS the use Of seeing the dis
pleasure on his face?' she thought Il
can picture it quite well enough
Here he found her. He came into the
room with quick, sharp steps.
Allison!" he cried. What does this
all mean?'
She lifted tear-wet face.
That I've spent the months money -
she said; that I've been carried away
by that old love Of spending Oh, Tom
I've spent it all-$90! Oh, what are you
going to do, divorce me?"
To her amazement, she felt Toms
arms suddenly close round her. His
face above hers, held not anger, bu,
that old look of eager interest that had
been there when she was a bride.
Why, little girl!" he said in the soft
lenicnt tone he bad used long ago
why don't you think I'll forgive you:
Do you think I expect a girl your age
to be model? TD-teil you the truth
Allison, I'm glad you did it. I'm glad
you haven't lost that spontaneity that
married you for!"-(Copyright, 1911
by the Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate