The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1921-12-08

pressed her. She had tpied having
~ne once, but she not only felt like
fool when she "d0lled up" as she ex-
pressed II, but she was frightened
when she saw the chauffeur's look of
disgust when she told him she had no
calls to make and no shopping to do
except to the corner store.
She didn't care about going to
smart hotel for tea In the afternoon.
Now and again she liked to have
"'bite" in a pastry shop.
Louis was a musician. He was one
of the most popular of dance conduc-
tors. He made money from royalties
on his popular s0ngs--a great deal of
money. She had been often told that
musicians were temperamenta hlrts.
But the ones she had seen were not
They liked cigars and plnOchle and
tat checks. That wasn't so tempera.
mental. Neither was there anything
femperamental about the music pub
Fishers and the friends Of Louis who
came In of an evening for cheese and
".IhthtIS.
She was nervous when The maid
broke dishes, though she knew there
was lots Of money to buy more. She
was naturally II careful hOusekeeper,
and the money had come little too
date or else she was one Of the rare
Kind who couldn't spend It! Very
rare. hut not nj all pleasant.
When she went to shows she fell
asleep She lOnged to dust behind
corners and under the rungs OF chairs
She loved TO bake a good cake.
But prosperity was hers, and she
didn't want to let. Louis know how
nard 1t was for her to he prosperous.
He came in this time when Mrs.
Louis was sitting stringing corn for
the little tree she had bought It was
Christmas eve.
Louis was very evidently excited.
He asked his wife to come into the
tlttle bedroom so no one would hear.
Louis hadn't become used to talking
hefore II maid, His wife noticed that
ne looked rather worried and trou-
bled.
whats the matter2" A sharp thrill
of pleasure went through her. Per-
haps he had speculated, lost his money
in Wall street, or on the curb. SO
many people did, she had been told.
Louis would be poor and she would
darn his socks and get his meals, and
they'd live In the old Hat and keep
The cozy rcd plush furniture. Louis
had been talking lately of moving to
better quarters.
He took her hands in his. IT'S 60
ing to he hard on YOU" he said
'Oh, no." she answered trying to
repress the eXultant note in her voice,
I'm he glad"
. She was about to tell him how op-
pressive the riches had been. how
they had almost suffOcated her How
anuch happier she would he to have
to save money, rather than try to
spend 1t for Louis sake, to make him
feel she enjoyed it.
"Wlfey," he said finally. they want
me TO tour Europe. It's great chance.
There's big money in II, and the boys
all want to go with me. Do you sup
pose, wiley, | know you're awful sea
sick. and poor traveller" His
face looked worried But do you
suppose you could stand the seasick-
ness and all, for I'd he so lone
some leaving you home? They want
'me so much-and they know /
wouldn't want to go without you
that they're going to pay your ex-
penses and make that a little Christ
mas present for yOu!"
She gave look at the beloved red
plush furniture. Would the. never
he any rest from prosperity Her tate
was sealed.
II guess | could stand 1t, Louis"
ehe said bravely. But IN her heart
there was hopelessness. Money. Eu-
rope, riches and more riches, limOu-
sine future and a street car soul And