need throughout the country. I sympathize with you, _indeed_ I do,"
and he looked on her in the most benevolent manner possible.

"Well, sir, what is the price charged for the rent of one of your
rooms?" asked Mrs. Wentworth after a few moments' silence.

"Well, ah--well, ah--you see, my dear madam, the price of everything
has gone up immensely," he replied.

"And what do you charge for the room?" she asked.

"Well, ah, I think sixteen dollars per month as cheap as I could
possible rent it," he answered finally.

"I will take it, then, by the month," she answered, rising, "and will
go into possession to-day."

"Well, ah, my dear madam, it is a rule I have always made, only to
rent my houses for the money, paid in advance--not that I have the
_least_ apprehension of your inability to pay me, but you see it never
does any good to deviate from fixed rules."

"I am perfectly filling to pay you in advance," she replied, taking
her port-moniæ from her pocket and handing him the advance pay for one
month's rent.

Calling a clerk, Mr. Elder handed him the money, and ordered a receipt
to be made out; then turning to Mrs. Wentworth, he said:

"There is another thing, I desire to have you understand, madam, and