New Britain herald., 1915-10-15


 whom had. just engaged had once kept house for group of artists, of whom Dicky was one, acting as a | model when she was not busy with her kitchen work. As a consequence my. sleep during the night had been l fitful. |
 Dicky. had not added to my peace I of mind in the morning, when after l eating the really excellent breakfast Iiof Katie's cooking, he had said l heartily:
 Well! Katie, as long as you keep 1 this up you may be sure of home l here''
 1 To me later. as he bade me good l bye in the hall, he had added in an l undertone:
 A Dong Owed Bill. For heavens sake, Madge, keep her. Put up with anything from her ! until I finish that picture of Poland l for which she was posing when she l ran away from us."
 Evidently the fact that I might not relish this combination of servant ! and model had never occurred to Dicky. The very fact of his blindness disarmed me. I resolved to accept the situation for time at least but 1t disturbed me nevertheless. Then, too, the knowledge that had not yet answered Mrs. Smiths courte- ous letter proffering me the leader ship of the Lotus Study clubs his- tory section weighed upon my mind. I had resolved that the matter of my acceptance of the position must be thrashed out with Dicky before another day had ended. All these things made me welcome my quiet hour and nap as preparation for the discussion I foresaw in the eve- ming. It was too bad, I told myself, resentfully that I should be dis turbed just because some unknown man on an unknown errand, waited. But my resentment vanished when saw the shabby little man who sprang to his feet as I entered the living room. Evidently a tradesman, he was such an unoffensive, humble, little man, with an appealing look in ! the big eyes that met mine half tim- idly
 "You are Mrs. Graham ?" he queried.
 "Yes am Mrs. Graham" I an- swered. Pray be seated again. What can do for your" 1 madam he said, "but I never can l find MT. Graham in. and this has been running for a long time.'' He held out folded paper. I l opened it. and read:
 ITO Touraine Bros. cleaners and dyers Balance July 2, 1914, $27.35." Pay the Tailor. made a mental calculation. Why l this bill was over a year old? What l did it mean? Was is possible that l Dicky, lucky prosperous Dicky, who, I knew, had plenty of ready money, l was careless-or worse-about the payment of bills such as these to l tradesmen who Is evidently needed the money?
 There must be some mistake" l said, looking at the man. 'I am sure l MT. Graham cannot know about this l or he would have paid 1t long before this.''
 The man coughed deprecatingly.
 T am sorry to say 1t, Mrs. Graham but MT. Graham does know it. In fact he stopped sending his clothes to me to be cleaned and pressed last summer because I asked him for the bill. You see I didn't know he had L
 he was much annoyed He told me
 then I could wait till-well-ma'am, guess I'd better not tell you just
 what he did say, but he meant I'd
 have to wait long time for my
 money. I didn't trouble him again
 for several months, for I hoped he
 would think better of 1t and come
 back-he had traded with me for
 years, MT. Graham had-but I've
 given that up now, and do need the
 money. I must have 1t, in fact.'
 You shall have it," I said impul-
 sively. went swiftly to my bedroom
 and emptied my purse. Yes, there
 was enough, three ten dollar bills and
 some small change were there. took the bills and went back to the
 living room.
 What Will Dicly Say?
 Here Is your money" said handing 1t to him. will you kind
 ly receipt the bill?'
 But MT. Tourane was looking al the money in embarrassed fashion.
 'I shall have to come again." he said slowly, "or perhaps you wouldn't
 mind giving me part of the money
 You see, collections are so bad and
 times are so hard I have very little for change"
 The em mbarrassed flush on his face
 was not as deep as the one on my
 own" Here Dicky and I had every
 comfort and many of the luxuries
 and this poor. tradesman, to whom
 Dicky owed money long due, was re-
 duced to such straits.