Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1934-01-12

grstuitousiy II I'm bored, some one
Is going to pay me for Il. I've no one
to consider but myself"
what are yop going to dol" Lucy
walled. "You talk and talk without
telling US anything"
Sniff pulled her cigarette medita-
lively.
I'm thinking how to explain It to
YOU she said at last. you've nothing
against rich people, sappose7 After
all, they're human, aren't they7 We
hear lot about the deserving poor,
while no one has a word for the de-
serving rich. From now on, l mean to
devote my energies to their relief"
Just as thought, she means to be
a bootleggerl" Lucy cried. "We'll
have to make her an allowance"
"a practical suggestion" Sniff
ehuckled. Possibly can combine It
with the project l have in mind"
"Smif, please don't be tantalizing,"
Louise urged. understanding her better
than the others, "tell us straight out
what you mean to do"
at requires explanation" Sniff said,
principally because no one has open
ly embarked on 1t before as a profess
sion. There are lots of people skirting
the edge Of it, people who more or less
prey on the rich, hangers-on Of all
kinds who have no thought of giving
any return for the money they exact.
Whereas for years where I am con-
cerned the boot has been on the other
foot. The rich have come to me and
dumped their troubles on my Shout
ders and I've given them sympathy.
advice, pluck to carry on with when
their burdens grew too heavy; my
time. my companionship-al free gifts
so long as l could afford it. Now I
can't afford it, and propose to make
them pay for just those things. I'm
going to announce myself as a Little
Sister of the Rlch-at high rate per
consultation"
"No one will come to you under such
conditions" Lucy shifted; "the ideas
absurd"
Your mistake, my dear" Sniff as
sured her amiably i've several
clients already. And, whether you be-
lleve IT or not, this enterprise will
fill want. There are people in need
Of exactly what I can give. I've had
1t in mind for years." -
Doesn't it occur to you that you are
likely to come in contact with some
very undesirable people?" Lucy asked.
Certainly" said Sniff, "almost sure
to, in fact; and. looking on the bright
side, why not some very desirable
ones as well? At all events, they'll be
new, and pine for novelty after years
of Cintra's monotonous beauty. Why,
| girls, I'll meet women-and men too
who'ye not led our cramped little lives.
all crowded against our neighbors and
their prejudices like pot-bound plants
without room to grow-and who'll be
none the worse for that, although they
may have their own troubles. / hon
estly believe that what 1 have to sell
them will be worth all I'll ask"
'But what have you to self" Lucy
walled. "Please tell me that much"
Comfort and common sense" Sniff
replied without hesitation, worth
every penny they'll pay me- And
now I'm going, leaving my reputation
for sanity behind me. Good-by, you
dears. Don't worry more than you
have to-" ..
When the elevator door closed be-
hind her Lucy exhaled audlbly, as II
she had been holding her breath.
'FWelll This business of losing Gin
ira has affected her brain. To pro-
tect her, she ought to be shut up"
''Don't be silly" Louise, under
stress. asserted herself strongly.
"Smifs as sane as you. Don't you
agree with me, Laura?"
II agree that Smifs perfectly sane,
not that wouldn't try to have her
restrained II thought it either neces-
sary or any use. 1t isn't, Lucy, so
put that idea out Of your head. More
over it's my opinion you'll be safe In
following my example and Just not
worrying. l don't believe there's any
thing to worry about. Consider what
she proposes to SELL Comfort and
common sense. Who in all the world
would pay a penny for either of
those?"
Susan Phelps, whose wealth and In
fuence were both great, was Smif's
most enthusiastic sponsor and adj
wiser. She had experience of Smif's
influence In calming Charles twltter-
ing nerves. Her Charles, to whom she
was persuaded she was devoted, was
tiresome, repetitious, nagging little
man with the kindest heart in the
world and, now that Pam was of mar
riageable age, she found herself too
occupied to listen to his reiterated COM
plants and eonjectures. Sniff was as.
sured from the start of a substantial
sum from consultations with Charles
Phelps.
Sniff had arranged to sublet her old
apartment and rent for herself two
rooms with a toy kitchenette in the
Badminton, an apartment hotel on
Madison avenue, where she would need
no servant and could be served such
meals as she. desired. q -
She had told her sisters the literal
truth when she had said that the gown
she wore was the only good day dress
she possessed. Since it was useless
for anybody with her figure to attempt
! to shop in the ordinary department
stores, sheer necessity directed ,hei
= steps to Fifth avenue dressmakel
who had contributed very satisfactor
r lily to her ulece's trousseau.