Omaha daily bee., 1918-08-29
THE STORY THUS FAR.
CHAPTER XII.
The Toys Rattle Out.

Early i'll December Mrs. Hattie
after an extended search, found a sat.
isfactory home. 1t was a somewhat
pretentious home. not far from the
Gaylord place. Mrs. Hattie had it re.
papered and repainted throughout.
and two new bathrooms put in. (She
said that everybody who was any
body always had lots of bathrooms.) }
Then she set herself to furnishing it.
She said that. of course, very little Of
their old furniture would do at all.
She was talking to Maggie Duff about
it one day when Mr.. Smith chanced
to come in. She was radiant that af-
ternoon in handsome silk dress and
a new fur coat
You're looking very well-and
happy. Mrs. Blaisdell," smiled Mr..
Smith as he greeted her.
Il am well, and I'm perfectly
happy. Mr.. Smith," she beamed
How could | help it7 You know
about the new home, of course. Well,
it's all ready, and I'm ordering the
furnishings. Oh, you don't know
what il means to me to be able at
last to surround myself with all the
beautiful things I've so longed for
all my life"
I'm very glad, I'm sure" Mr..
Smith said the words as if he meant
them.
"Yes, OF course, and poor Maggie
here, she says she's glad, too
though don't see how she cam be,
when she never got a cent, do you,
Mr.. Smith, But, poor Maggie, she's
got so used to being left out"
flush, hushv begged Miss Maggie.
You'll find money isn't every
thing in this world. Hattie Blaisdell,"
growled Mr.. Duff, who, today, for
some unknown reason, had deserted
the kitchen cook stove for the living
room baseburner. And when | sec
what little money does for some
folks I'm glad I'm poor. I wouldn't
be rich if / could. Furthermore, III
thank you to keep you sympathy at
home. 1t amt needed nor wanted
here"
"Why, Father Duff" bridled Mrs.
Hattie Indignantly, you know how
poor Maggie has had TO-"
"Er-but tell us about the new
home" interrupted Mr.. Smith quickly,
"and the fine new furnishings"
why, there isn't much to tell yet
about the furnishings, | mean, /
haven't got them yet. But I can tell
you what I'm going to have" Mrs.
Hattie settled herself more comfort !
ably, and began to look happy again.
'As / was saying to Maggie, when
you came in, shall get almost
everything new---for the rooms that
show, | mean--for, of course, my old
things won't do at all. And I'm
thinking Of the pictures. | want oil
paintings, of course, in gilt frames"
She glanced little disdainfully at the
oak-framed prints of Miss Maggie's
walls.
"Going in for old masters, maybe"
suggested Mr.. Duff, with a sarcasm
hat fell pointless at Mrs. Hattic's
'eet.
"Old masters?"
"Yes--oil paintings"
Certainly not" Her chin came up
!. little. Tim not going to have any
hing old in my house--where it can
De seen. For once I'm going to have
new things--all new things. You
have to make a show or you won't
be recognized by the best people"
But, Hattie, my dear" began Miss
Maggie, flushing. little. and care
FULLY avoiding Mr.. Smiths eyes, "old
masters are--arc very valuable,
and"
Il don't care If they arc" retorted
Mrs. Hattie, with decision. IF they're
old, ! don't want them, and that set
ties it. I'm going to have velvet car
pets and the handsomest lace curtains
that | can find; and I'm going to have
some of those gold chairs, like the
Pennocks have, only nicer. Theirs
are awfully dull, some of them. And
I'm going to buy"
'Humph! Pity you can't buy little
common sense--somewhere." snarled
old man Duff, getting stiffly to his
feet. ''
"Oh, father! murmured Miss Mag
gle.