Transcriber’s note: The Table of Contents was created by the Transcriber and placed in the Public Domain. CONTENTS The Maintenance of Jane 1 To A Roadside Cedar 26 The Deluge: A Story of Modern Finance 27 Conversations With Egeria 43 Mis-Mated Americans 46 Aftermath 48 The Golden Apple 49 The Master of the Dido 62 Mrs. Evremond 71 The Dog Star 81 As It Ended 88 The Tears of Undine 89 Now’s The Time O’ Year 102 Pride of Race 103 The Princess’ Kingdom 116 The Most Exclusive City in America 125 The Gate 131 The Way of a Man 132 The Incompatibility of the Catherwoods 144 Dramatic Flashes From London & Paris 150 For Book Lovers 156 AINSLEE’S VOL. XVI. SEPTEMBER, 1905. No. 2. THE MAINTENANCE OF JANE By MARGARET G. FAWCETT [Illustration] CHAPTER I. The total,” began Jacob Willoughby, adjusting his _pince-nez_ and regarding with near-sighted attention the scrap of paper he had selected from a little white heap on the table in front of him--“the total is just four thousand five hundred and seventy-six dollars and ninety-seven cents.” The figures froze the features of the Willoughby connection into immobility for a second, but only for a second. “I agreed to buy her wraps,” spoke up crisply Miss Willoughby, a maiden lady of vinegary aspect, who sat on the extreme edge of the horsehair and mahogany chair and glowered at the white heap on the table. “Read the bill, Jacob.” Obediently Jacob searched through the heap and extracted another scrap. “Total, one thousand five hundred and forty-three dollars and eighty-three cents,” he announced, ponderously. If she hadn’t been a Willoughby, one would have said that the lady of vinegary aspect snorted. All the Willoughbys, however, prided themselves on never doing anything low. “_That_ for wraps,” muttered this one, acidulously. “And she wheedled a set of sables out of Jacob at Christmas time.”