Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-08-12
CHAPTER XIII (Continuedl

never went anywhere. Father Duff hriStleu
UP at this. aud declared that h" guessed h"
would so. after all. just to show them that
he could, If he wanted to. Mrs Hattie grew
actually pale. but Miss MaEGi" exclaimed
joyfully that. Of course. he would Eo-he
ought to go. to show proper respect Father
Duff said no then very decidedly that moth
ing could hire him to 60 and chat h" had
no respect to show. He declared that he
rad no use for gossip and gahhle and un-
wholesome eating and he said that he sh"ud
not think Maggie would care to 60, either
unless she could he in the kitchen, where 1t
would seem natural to her
Mrs Hattie. however, smiled kindly and
said of course now she could afford to hr"
better help than Maggie caterers from the
city and all that, Maggie would not nav"
to he in the kitchen, and that with practice
she would soon learn not to mind at all be-
ing round among folks in the parlor.
Father Duff had become so aroplcctically
angry at this that Mr.. Smith. who CHANGED
10 be present and who also was very angry
vas forced to forget his own wrath in MS
desire to make the situation easier Tor MISS
Maggie.
II" had not supposed that Miss Maggie
would go at all after that. He had even
determined not to go himself But Miss Mag
gle. after days thought. had laughed ana
had said. with her eyes twinkl!nE "oh. We'll
1t doesn't matter. you know-it doesn't really
matter. does it," And they had gone.
II Was Il "'iu'llul It'iNN' WI '''''''''
joved it hugely He saw almost everybody
he knew in Hicrton. and many that he did
not know. He heard the BlaisdelS and their
new wealth discussed from all viewpoints
and he heard some things about the missing
millionaire bencfaCtor that were particularly
intcresting-to him. The general opinion
seemed to he that the plan was dead though
n few admitted that there was a possib'ltN'
of course that he was merely lost somewhere
in darkest South America and would
,all n a.
long before the time came to open III" second
letter of instructions. Many pr0f'ssed 10
know the man well. through magazine and
newspaper accounts ether" were times when
Mr. Smith ad iusted more carefully the
smoked gasscs which he was still wearingl
and some had much to say of the mil
lionaire's characteristics, habits and &c
rentriC'tc all Of which Mr.. Smith enjoyed
greatly
Then, too there we're the Blaisdells them
selves They were all there even to MISS
Flora. who was in dead black; and MI
Smith talked with them all
Miss Flora told him that she was 50 happy
she could not sleep nights but that she was
rather glad she couldn't sleep. after all. FOR
she spent the time mourning for poor MI
Fulton, and thinking how good he mad heeh
to her. And that made it seem as II she
was doing something for him. She said, Yes
OH yes, she going to stop black mourn-
ing in six months, and GO into EraNS ana
IaNenugrS: ana Snp was Elau WI 'Nill''
thought that was long enough, quite long
enough for the black, but she could not think
for "A moment of putting on Colors now as ne
suggested. Sh" said. too, that she mad de-
rided not to go to Niagara f"r the present
And when he drmurred at this she told him
that really she would rather not. 1t would
be warmer in the spring. and she would much
rather wait till she could enjoy every mlnut"
without feeling that-wcll. that she was al
most dancing over the poor mans grave, as 1t
were.
Mr. Smith did not urge her after that. II"
turned away, indeed, rather preclpitat"lN-
go prccipitately that Miss Flora wondered
If she could have said anything to offend
him.
Mr. Smith talked next with Mrs. Jane
Blaisdell Mrs. Jane was looking pattiruIar'N
we'll that evening Her dress was new. nu'
in good stvlc vet she in some way looked
odd to Mr smith In moment he knew TN"
reason: she wor" no apron Mr.. smith had
never seen her without an apron before Even
on the street she wore a black silk one. II"
rourlimentcd her gallantly on her fine ap-
nearance But Mrs. Jane did not smile. she
frowned.
Yes | know. Thank you. of course she
answered worricdly. But it cost an awful
lo,-this dress did but Frank and Meltcent
would have it. That child have yau seen
her tonight"
Miss Mellicent? Yes. in the distance
She. too, is looking most charming, Mrs.
RlaisdelL"
The woman tapped her foot impatentiy
Yes, ! know she is-and some other folks
think so. too | notice. Was she with that
Penuock boy?
Not when saw her"
We'll, she will be. if she isn't now.
He follows her cverywhere
But | thought-that was broken up Mr..
Smith now was froWning.
"It was. You know what that woman said
the insult, But now. since this money
came" She let an expressive gesture COM
pete the sentence.
Mr. Smith laughed.
II wouldn't worry. Mrs. Blaisde don't
.bipk hc'u make much headway-now."
indeed he wont-f can help myself"
da shed the woman Indignantly.
81 reckon he won't stand much show with
Miss Nellicent-after what's happened"
"I guess he won't" snapped the woman
He isn't worth half what she is now As
If I'd let her look at him"
.put meant-" Mr. Smith stopped
abruptly. There an odd expression on
Mrs BlaisdelI filled the pause.
.Rut really Mr. Smith. don't know what
am going TO do--with Mellicent," she
sighed.
Yes shes as wild as n hawk and as
as NiChty as a hummiug- bird since this
money came She's so crazy with joy and
excited"
what If she iso" challenged Mr.. Smith.
looking suddenly very happy himself. Youth
is the time for JOY and laughter and I'm
sure I'm glad she is taking little pleasure
in life"
Mrs Blaisdell frowned again.
But Mr.. Smith, you know as well as I do
that life isn't all pink dresses and sugar
NUNS 1t is a serious business. and I have
tried to bring her up to understand it.
have taught her to be thrifty and economical l.
ard to realize the value of dollar But now