Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-08-13
CHAPTER XIII (Continued)

CHAPTER XIII (Continued)
UIVE NO doubt of IT," conceded Mrs.
i Hattie compacently Poor Maggie!
She always did contrive to make the most
of everything she had. But she's never been
ambitious for really nice things, | imagine.
At least she always seems contcnted enough
with her shabby chairs and carpets While
/" She paused looked about her. then
drew a bssful sigh "Oh. Mr.. Smith, you
don't know--you can't know what 1t Is to
to just look around and realize that they
are all mine--these beautiful thSgs!'
Then you're very happy. Mrs. Basdell?'
"Oh, yes. why, Mr. Smith. there isn't a
piece of furniture in this room that didnt
cost more than the Pennocks'-1 know, be-
cause I've been there. And my curtains are
nicer, too. and my pictures. they're so much
brighter-some of her oil paintings are ter
rby dull-looking. And my Bessie-did yo1
notice her dress tonight? But, there! You
didn't. of course. And If you had you wouldn't
have realized how expensive it was What
do you know about the cost of Womens s.
trcsses?" she laughed archly. But l don't
mind telling you. 1t was $50, and it came
from New York l don't believe that white
muslin thing of Gussie Pennocks cost $50!
You know Gussic?'
I've seen her"
Yes, of course YOU have-with Fred, He
used to go with her a lot. He goes with
Pearl Gaylord more now. There. you can
see them this minute. dancing togcther-the
isn't she? Her fathers worth million,
suppose. I wonder how 'twouId feel to be
worth-a mlion?" She spoke musingly, her
eyes following the low-cut blue dress. But,
then. maybe l shall know some time-from
Cousin Stanley, 1 mean" she explained
smilingly in answer to the question shc
thought she saw behind Mr.. Smiths smoked
glasses. "Oh. of course, there's nothing sure
about IT, But he gave us some. and If he's
dead, of course. that other lettcr'll be open
ed in two years; and don't see why ne
wouldn't give the rest. as long as hes
shown he remembered he'd got us. DO YOU!
"Well-cr-aS to that Mr. Smlth
hesitated He had grown strangely red.
well. there aren't any other relations so
near, anyway so l can't help thinking about
It, and wondering" she interposed. ana
'twould be millions. not just one million. He's
worth ten or twenty. they say. But, theh'
we shall know in time"
"Oh, yes, you'll KNOWN time" agreed
Mr.. Smith with a smile. turning away as
another guest came up TO his hostess
Mr. Smiths smile had been rather forced,
and his face was still somewhat red as he
| picked his way through the crowded rooms
| 10 the place where he could see Frank Biais-
| dell standing alone, surveying the scene MS
| hands in his pockets.
well Mr. Smith, this is some show. amt
| it?" greeted the grocer as Mr., smith ap-
| preached
| at certainly is
| Gee I should saw so-though I can't say
| I'm stuck on the brand myself But, as for
| this money business do you know? I'm as
| bad as Flo 7 can't sense it yet-that it's
! true. Gosh! Look at Hattie. noM. Amt
she swingin the style tonight"
"She certainly is looking handsome and
| very happy"
happy And I believe in taku' some comfort
! as you go along-not that I've taken much'
in times past. But I'm goin' to now
| Good I'm glad to hear it,
We'll | am. Why. man, I'm just like
potato-,ob grown in cellar. and I'm comm
| out and get some sunshine. And Mellicent Is,
| too. Poor child She's been potato-top
in a cellar all right. But now Have you
| seen her tonight?
| II have-and a very charming sight she
was" smiled Mr. Smith.
| "Aint she now" The father beamed
proudly We'll, she's goin' to be that right
| along now She's goin where she wants 10
| go and do what she wants to do and she
| goin' to have all the 1ancy hunauluules "
wear she wants
laughed Mr.. Smith.
| We'll, she is This savfn' an savin' is all
| very well. of course, when you have to. But
| I'VE saved all my life, an by .jingo. I'm goin
| to spend now. You see II DON'T
| II hope you will"
| THANK you. I'm glad to have one on my
| side. anyhow. l wish You couldn't tax
| my wife round TO your way or tninKln !;
| smile MY wife's eaten sour cream to save
| the sweet all her life an she haint learned
| vet that II she'd eat the sweet to besln WIN,
| she wouldn't have no sour cream-twouIdn |
| hove time to get sour An there's apples,
| ,no she eats the speCked ones always: 50
| ha don't never eat anything but the worst
| there is. An she says they're the meaheSt
| anpIes she ever saw. Now tell her II she II
| a,i, nick out the best there is every time, as
' do shell not only enjoy every apple she
| ots but she'll think they're the incest ap-
| Mes that ever grew. Funny, amt II? here
| : on, hs vim to urge my wife TO spend money
| while my sister-in-law her lam 'ooue ~
| duc,s takin' to the water! That am no
uan,n for the way she sails into Jm's little
| pile -
| Mr.. Smith laughed
"p,, the way. where is Mr. Jim?" he asked
| The other shook his head. ~
| "Iain't seen hm-hut ! can guess wnere
| ,a 10 nrettv we'll You go down that hall
and turn to your left. In a little room at
| tho end you'll find him, That's his den He
| told Hattie twas the only room IN the
| house he'd ask for. but he wanted TO nN II up
| bin,self Hattie. she wanted to buy all sorts
| - trucL and fix It up with cushions and
| curtains and japanese gimcracks, like she
| sae a den in a book. and make n showpace
| Of It, But Jim held out and had mis- way
| There amt nothin' in 1t but books ana chalrs
and a couch and a big table; and they're
| ali old-except the books-so Hattie don't
| chow II much when she's shown off the
| house You'll find him right there, all right.
| You see If you don't. Jim always would
| rather read than eat and he hates shindlgs
| ~ this sort a little more n do"
| IAN right, I'll look him up nodded Mr..
Smith. as he turned away.
| deliberately but with apparent careless
ness strolled Mr.. Smith through the big
drawing rooms and down the hall. Then to
the left-the directions were not hard TO
folIow-and the door OF the room at the end
holf giving glimDSA of
lanes Blaisdell and Benny before the big
fireplace
with a gentle tap and cheerful do you
allow iutruders?" Mr.. Smith pushed open the
door.
James Blaisdell sprang to his feet
"Er-I-oh. Mr. Smith, come in come right
in ~ The frown on his face gave way to
smile II thought-well. never mind what
/ thought. Sit down, won't your
THANK you. If you don't mind"