Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1930-11-14


"A Iew lamp, ehT Where did that
come from? A present from some
body
"No, got 1t at Kent's. A bargain
Only $50"
Just the other day you bought a
bridge table. The luxury till in our
budget box must be empty. By the
way, bring that budget box here. 1
want 10 see it."
Helen brought the box. She set II
down ON the arm of Joe's chair. She
stood looking on while he examined the
various tills of the rather clumsily ar
ranged. homemade affair.
Somebody's been spending lot of
money seems TO me- he said, study
ing the tiny slips of paper which rep
resented promissory notes made to the
budget box.
Helen flushed. The thing was get
ting on her nerves.
"rm always careful to put in my
/. O. US. You aren't" she said
"Last night there was S3.2s in Incl
dentals. This morning it was gone.
And nothing to show for it."
IL needed a little extra" Joe
looked confused.
what for?" Helen's demand was
sharp and swift Joe's reply matched
it, Say. What's the matter with
you? Don't you think can be trust
ed with money l earn?' Blue eyes
challenged gray ones.
Suddenly Helen felt limp. Nothing
like this had ever happened between
them before. 1t wasn't going to now.
She grabbed up the budget box and
planted herself in its place on the
arm Of J0e's chair.
Dear! You're mad don't blame
you. That was a nasty question for
ME to put to you. I'm sorry. Will
that make 1t all right?"
Joe's face cleared. He put his arm
around her.
az don't mind telling you what l did
with that money"
Helen put her hand over his mouth
"You shan't don't want to know.
Well blame the budget box"
"The darn thing is getting to be
nuisance" Joe admitted.
The cloud had dissolved in the blue
ether
Next morning Helen took the budget
box out 10 the kitchen table and sat
down to put 1t In the strictest order
The postman had brought her letter
which contained small check from
her far-dstant brother. Until she saw
the check she had forgotten that to-
dav was her twenty-second birthday
That check would pay up all her
!. q. US to the budget box. She
wanted It dreadfully for something
else. but the budget box must be
looked after.
She was busily figuring when there
came a knock at the door. Helen
sprang up and opened the door. A
forlOrn man stood there. He made
the usual request: bite TO eat? "Or
a little change. ladyf' Helen was so
sorry for him that she turned away
without hooking the screen door and
ran to the ice box. When she came
back with hunk of cake the man
She stared at the empty table in
dismay Her check was there and
Bob's letter Pencil and pad where
she had been figuring Nothing else.
Her first thought was 10 run out and
try TO Overtake the man. Her next
was one Of distinct relief. There
wasn't much more money in the bud
II. IL
him out Of compassion anyway. She
had her check safe. And today was
pay day.
She had made the remnant Of beef
steak into a stew, Disgusting the
slightly scOrched taste with tomato
and onion, when Joe came home TO
dinner He slid In, trying to hide
something behind him. Her birthday
present. Flowers? Candy? Helen In
the kitchen heard the rustling Of pa
per. When she came in bearing the
dish Of stew she found her gift upon
the table waiting for her. A box, not
large but substantial, with lock and
key. A budget box. Just for an In
slant she felt queer. Then she set
down the stew and put her arms about
Joe's neck.
"You adorable boy! Nothing was
ever more opportune. The old budget
box walked away this morning. With
a man. Such a forlOrn old fellow! -
"How much did he get" Joe
grinned.
"Ninety-seven cents"
They both laughed.
"We'n run this different, eh?" Joe
said at cost 1926 to begin with.
But can make that up. Boss told
me thered be an extra FIVE in my pay
envelope every week after this. How
do you Ike your birthday present,
darling:'
81 love it," Helen's eyes were misty.
She bent down and touched her fresh
lips to the new budget box.