The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1917-01-17

! do not think that We ought TO I'VE
In such a big house"
Has the business failed. Alec"
I I interrupted with kind Of sick
/ feeling ln my stomach.
Certainly not" he said in an
annoyed sort OF manner, as n he
had not liked mo 10 ask. We're
simply living way beyond what We
can afford. that's all We've got
TO cut down. don't know how
long II may take TO mako favor
able sale OF this house. bat In the
/ meanwhile we cant afford 10 keep
! two servants. I'm sorry Lucy, but
! is matter 0f economy today. not
economy tomorrow. I've thought II
all out" my brother continued, be-
ginning now to pace up and down
the room. Il know kellie has been
with Us twenty years. We shall
miss her. but she's not strong, she
cant cook or wash We must have
good young Irish Eirl--fiye dol
lars n week-not more. II means
big change this time. you see. !
had hoped 10 avoid such course
as this. but II We are 20 escape
worse catastrophe"
don't know what Alec went on
talking about as he walked up and
! down that sitting room floor. ! sat
stunned and silent In my chair. Sell
our home, Why. father had built
| a. Dismiss Nellie Why, Nellie
/ had known my mother
leaned forward suddenly and
burst into tears 'Oh. everything
has always been hard In my life
hard. hard. hard" sobbed
Alec came over and stood In front
OF me. perfectly silent. lie hadn
seen me 20 into a passion Ike this
J for years | could feel his tired.
Kind gaEc burrowing thru my two
hands that covered my face
/ why. Bobble." he said ever
since the day that you came from
boarding school. and ! came into the
room and found you strong and
I calm and self-possessed. ever since
then have thought OF you as my
partner" lie stopped. But per
hRpH this-thls Is too much. Per
Z hapa"
no. Alec. said. ashamed. no.
II isn't too much Just wait a min
1 ute, please
suoss Il might have been two
minutes he waited. mopped my
eyes and took up my sewing.
/ 4 won't be so foolish again !
| remarked evenly. You can tell me
anything now"
And my brother replied. That's
the sort and smiled. AS 10 the
twins" he went on. taking the at
my word. here's letter stating
the situation TO them" lie gave
short laugh with no joy In a. The
twins allowances are going 10 be
cut down almost half"
The twins" had completely
forgotten divers letter.
Just here the cheerful honk.
honk OF Dr. Maynard's automobile
sounded outside the window A.
Dr Maynard entered the room he
brought in a big breath OF fall even
ing.
Hello" ho said. What are you
two up to- Come on. Al. put on an
ovcrcoat and come out for a run
around the reservoir. I've got my
engine working like bird again"
Thanks. VIII. wish I could" said
Alec with that tired smile OF his.
but ! got lot OF work on hand
tonight think III send Bobbie."
All right Fine" said Or. May
nard. and tho didn't have much
heart for going. ! knew that Alec
didn't want to talk with even Will
Maynard tonight. so without a
word I went for my things
II was beautiful dark starry
I night. and | love an automobile.
hut tonight suppose wasn't
very entertaining companion. for
/ on the way home DIR. Maynard
ash Cd. in his friendly manner:
What Is It, Bobbie7 You're
I leaving II TO me 10 have most OF
the fun tonight"
Or Maynard" exclaimed, I'D
give anything in the world II
/ we're man and could earn some
money
why. what do Won mean. Bob
bie?" laughed Or Maynard. amused.
Il mean" ! replled--iho perhaps
I ! ought noi To have told mean
/ that Alec Ia going TO sell the house
and Dixie and we're going 20 keep
only one girl mean that the bust
ness is on the ragged edge OF moth.
ing. and that we're as poor as
paupcrs.'
DR. Maynard slowed down our
speed to ten miles an hour.
AIS a plucky fellow" he said.
u hadn't an idea" Then he added.
You want to help9'
Well" replied. i've got to
have lot OF money right off. and
don't like to ask Alec. It's for an
emergency" added. Can YOU
think OF ny possible way for a girl
who can't do a thing on earth but
scrub and darn stockings. to earn
n fortune?"
think We ran about a mile be.
fore DR.. Maynard spoke. Then
when he did. he seemed To be al.
most apologizing for his scheme,
which seemed to me perfectly love.
/ ly
DIR. Maynard has stacks OF money
and since his mother died. lives all
alone In the big, white pillared
house where he was born. Eliza,
their old servant, takes care of him.
But" he explained to me, cook.
ing and cleaning are ELIAS strong
points. She never liked to sew. and
| have pretty hard time keeping
socks mended, and linen. and tow
els. and such things In good con.
ditlon. hire woman now by the
day once In while. But I'm sure