Evening star., 1925-07-05
By Gerald MyguH

the truth. The plumber had been
given his orders.
He adjusted the hot-water system
so it would work Since he had pre-
viously adjusted it so it would not
work. he knew exactly how to pro-
ceed. Priscilla was astonished at the
short time it took. He frightened the
bathroom faucets so they would not
twist off again. He descended into
the cellar and secretly removed a
| large wad of metallic wool from the
furnace smokepipe. But, then, though
| he should have been finished with
| his task, he did not seem to be- He
investigated certain pipes in the cell
| lar, and applied a wrench to them.
He hammered a little. Then to Pris-
elias puzzlement, he withdrew to the
| loftiness of the attic.
DRESENTLY he came down. He
- was a young man. ruddy of face
and with competent eyes and hands.
He stared at Priscilla quite frankly.
Then he said:
Maybe I don't get this quite
straight. Cohen said somethin'. but
! what's the idea? Your father-in-law
livin' with you-is that it?"
'I-well, 1 wish he was. It's my
father. It's just an idea Of his. You
see, Mr.
"OBrien's the name," put in the
| plumber gallantly.
We'll, you see, Mr.. O'Brien, my
| father didn't think 1 could economize
very well, and when Mr.. Hale-thats
my fiance-when he and 1 became en-
gagged, my father said that if we could
live for a month as we'd have to live
| on Charles salary-oh, gosh, I'm all
mixed up! But what 1 mean is, this
| is a sort of test-that's ALL"
Said Mr.. O'Brien: How much does
| your feller maker
Priscilla hesitated, then laughed and
gave the figure.
! We'll, amt that enough?" demand
| ed Mr.. O'Brien. Mel drag down
shade better than that, but gee
| sixty weeks enough for anybody" :"
That's just what I've told father"
| said Priscilla with triumph.
! The plumber hesitated, scratched
| his head, started to say something
apparently thought better of 1t, mum
bled hastily, We'll, good luck. little
| lady," picked up his tools and took
| his departure.
The girl met Charlie Hale that even
Ing with the happy announcement
| that the hot water worked and that
| the furnace was fixed Thank
goodness" breathed the boy and
went down into the cellar to shake
| the fire. AT the foot of the stairs
| he stepped off into six inches of un-
expected water. He jumped back,
said a word that was expressive
rather than polite
What's wrong?" asked Priscilla
| opening the door.
| Wrong" he inquired. Where did
you get the idea, Prilla, that anything
was wrong?
Perhaps we've struck oil. The
only trouble is, it feels a lot like
water. Wet. you know" He shook
his right foot gingerly ''Yes, very
wet. All, listen. my partner in adver-
| sity! Do you hear it trickling?"
! II do" said Priscilla.
| Next morning the plumber was sent
for again. The cellar by this time
was two feet deep in water. Mr..
| O'Brien was irritated
| Fine trick to play on a Young
| couples" he muttered under his breath.
| Whats that?" asked Priscilla.
| ''Nothin'. 1 was just talkin' to me-
self. Say, little lady" his eyes bright
ened, Il just thought of somethin'.
| You run upstairs minute, will you?
want to look at this here kitchen
stove"
But why must I go upstairs?"
He said: Don't ask no questions.
! Is there anything at all in this here
house that hasn't gone on tha bum in
the last couple of days?"
Yes" said Priscilla. THE kitchen
/ stove"