New Britain herald., 1927-07-16

and sometimes it was. The only bad
feature of it was that it came at ir.
regular intervals, and that Mrs
| Jerome often spent it on foolish
luxuries instead of putting 1t into
the bank or paying grocery bill
with it.
Lately she had been turning II
over to Beau and Mile. who knew
when it was about due, and did not
hesitate to ask for money whenever
there was any OF 1t in sight.
Money just runs through my fin
gers" Mrs. Jerome was wont to say
In her helpless, good-natured way,
and Beau and Millie were just like
her. Born spendthrifts.
"Sally's the tightwad of the fam
ily," they often said, especially when
she had refused to lend them money
for cigarets or perfume or motion
picture magazines.
Sally went now to her mother,
who was sitting at the dining room
table, reading and finishing her
after dinner coffee. She just would
drink coffee at night, even thought
she stayed awake It'll dawn. She
said she couldn't do without 1t. 1t
kept up her strength - what
strength she had.
The table before her was Uttered
with dirty dishes and bread crumbs,
and on the other side of 1t sat Mil
lie, looking over a new woman's
magazine. Mabel was reading it,
from over her shoulder.
Say, l thought you two were go
ing to do the dishes for me, so I'd
have time to mend Miles stock
ings for her!' Sally spoke sharply
to the pair of them. They were al
ways promising to help her with the
dishes or the bed-making in return
for work she did for them.
Mabel opened her big eyes and
shrugged one shoulder.
I'm perfectly willing to do them
but I won't unless Mile helps"
said she pertly. There's no reason
why should-Beau pays for any
trouble I make in this house."
Saly's scarlet mouth, made a
round O of establishment. Beau
pays for any trouble you make here,
Mabel" she repeated. why, what
are you talking about? Not that
you're any trouble. We love to have
you any time you can come-but
don't get it into your head that
Beau pays your board here, or any,
thing like that. Why Beau doesn't
even pay his own board"
Sally! Sally! l wouldn't talk
about my brother il I were you!"
Mrs. Jerome glanced up at her
daughter with strong disapproval,
making her plump face almost hag-
gard for an instant.
well, Mabel ought to know the
truth about him. She's going to
live with him all her life!" declared
Sally. ut isn't fair to let her think
that he pays her bills when he
doesn't! He shouldn't be allowed to
get away with such tales"
She laid the bill for his clothes
down before her mother on the
cloth. And you! You've been lend
ing him your money again." she
said holly. Look at that! Spending
almost $50 on those silly-looking
clothes in there, when you haven't
even paid your doctor bill for last
month. When you need new bath
robe and a lot of things-and then
he can pay 81 for one necktie, and
So for another. and"
But I didn't lend him any
money" Mrs. jerome broke in mild
ly. Il haven't had my July check
from your father yet. I haven't any
money.
And then, all at once, her face
seemed to crumple up like a dried
rose-petal, and she began to cry.
"You talk to me just like your
Aunt Emily does" she sobbed.
You're getting to be just like her
Just like her. And I can't stand it
1 won't be seeded. I've got enough
to bear as it isl
sally rushed to her and put her
arms around her and begged her
forgiveness. Darling. you know I
didn't mean tC be nasty" she whis-
pered, while Mile and Mabel,
moved to sudden action, began to
carry out the dishes. But it ma es
me'wild when I haven't got enough
money to keer YOU comfortable, and
then Beau spends all Of his on his
own selfish self just burn up
when I think of it!'
After while Mrs. Jerome dried
her tears and had a fresh pot of
coffee.
1T doesn't matter, Sally" she said
with gulp. I've had so many
bangs and disappointments in life
that it takes lot to really
down me-"
She went on reviewing her
wrongs. 1t seemed hard, she said,
that they should have such a dread
full time of i. all because of their
tather-hecause he ran away and
left her TO face the music alone.
r. ITO think of my girls having to
work in offices all day with lot OF
tobacco-smoklng men," she sighed.