Bought and Paid For

justly renowned in the neighborhood for the size and magnificence of its suites and the ultra chic quality of its exclusive, wealthy patrons. No one ever heard of rooms bein

or in all New York there were no apar

ulent, rushed by on its way to the sea, its surface dotted with all kinds of steam and sailing craft. To the north, away past Grant's Tomb, were the high

rth of Italy. The dining room, panelled with rare woods, and hung with red, with panelled ceiling, was separated from the salon by a folding door. The walls of both rooms were covered with paintings, water colors and engravings, while all about was a picturesque confusion of objets d'art of every description-Japanese ivories, rare porcelains, old English china, Indian bronzes, antique watches, snuff boxes and bonbonnières, curiously wrought brass and iron work, Peach Blow vases, Mexican pottery, Satsuma ware, richly mounted weapons of the middle ages, Japanese armor, long daggers from Toledo, delicate lattice work from Venice, Florentine carvings, valuable Gobelins tapestries from Paris, etc., etc.-a collection such as an Or

ody servant. He had never regretted it. Oku was one of those ideal retainers who, once they have found an attachment, would rather die than betray their trust. His command of the vernacular was only limited, but he was the very soul of courtesy and politeness, and when not otherwise able to ma

ed in his element! Instantly spurred to action, he had run here and there, in and out of the shops, in search of the most toothsome dainties. He had bought the choicest meats, the finest birds, big mushrooms just picked, asparagus such as might make a king's mouth water. Then

sure that nothing had been forgotten. Viewed through the folding doors and literally groaning under the load of handsome silver

r half hour and the company would arrive, and his master had still to dress! The minutes sped by and no sign of Mr. Stafford. Where could he be? The butler

at you

Excuse-pl

club. I'm just starting for home. If Miss Blaine and her fr

Excuse-pl

an possessed. Seven o'clock struck and the echoes of the last stroke had barely died away when there came a discreet ring at the front door bell. Quickly Oku pulle

partment?" inquired Jimmi

eep salaam. "Excuse, please,

rock and could not afford to get one for a single occasion, and Fanny was in the same straits. There had been a long argument over the matter and not a few tears, until finally Fanny made it impossible for Virginia to hold out any longer by declaring fla

n air as he was able to assume, and, speaking for the ladies, wh

the people he was e

rofoundly, but

Stafford-he is no

the girls. With a grin

ng late was the

to the butler. A

ere some

ing open the door of the salo

fford he say to me over telephone he is very sorry, but there i

ach other in dismay.

Jumping Jupiter

will hurry quick as can. He say for you to wait till he come

. With quiet di

understand-w

hand for their

s, please-ex

their outer garments the little butler

ay to ask if you w

a book. On hearing the invitation to liquid refreshments he

he exclaim

was he to him? Because he was rich? Well, he guessed not. If he had consented at Fanny's urgent pleadings, it was because his fiancée had told him it would help Virginia. Mr. Stafford, Fanny said, was simply crazy about her and might propose to her any day. After all, it could do no harm to have a millionaire in the family. Besides, he was a big railroad

the room, was gazing through the casement windo

ll take

" she answered

nificantly at Jimmie as if desirous of con

aside not intended to

ver allowed himself to hear anything. When

kind-p

d his lips. Turning to h

do you

e laughed, anxious to

suits me

d to the

tini cocktails. Exc

ards towards the door as if in the presence of ro

ith the greatest amusement. When he was o

ttle chin

ed. Teasing

im. Don't you know a Ja

k alike to me

rk started on a tour of critical inspection of the

is some

ater-colors on the walls. Overhearing the exclamatio

tiful," she sai

he back of her magnificent gilt chair to

ead in the paper that Mr. Stafford wa

wide his eye

-just for his rooms!" he

as if expecting her to

ed Fanny, "$1

clerk gave

early $300 a w

utting on an injured air as if Mr. Stafford's ex

in the morning till six at night for a measly fourteen." With a disgusted shrug

sidering he was Mr. Stafford's guest, was certainly inexecrable taste. Not that she was surprised. By this ti

e than fourteen when he was

they raised you from twelve at Christmas you thought you w

tones meant to be

soon and then we could get married." Eying her sheepishly, he

promptly. "A couple simply can

his pockets and began to stride up an

e yachts, giving fifty thousand for a picture and things like that. They have so much money they don't know w

ome interested in a cabinet full of curios close

ur chance will come just

lerk in a wholesale grocery. Why, the manager of the department

If it takes a man twenty-six years to work up to thirty, I suppose yo

hey were making fun of him. Apparently satisfied that, on the c

e, I tell you. Here I am slaving away for fourteen a week and he spends t

elve and four ba

What in God's name can a b

n't have them if he can pay fo

he can't be in more than one tub at a time. I suppose he uses 'em Monday, Tuesday, Wedne

oked at him

. Stafford has servants and that he has f

n his pockets and began to whistle. He

hought o' that,

making such remarks, Fanny sai

that temper, too. For the first time in our lives we're invit

n suddenly Oku re-appeared carrying a tray in which wa