The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1896-12-18
CHAPTER XIV.


Longworth. | think did the role of
housemaid so well that it deceived sew
.eral members of the family. am now
giving an imitation of yourself in your
thrilling drama: All at Sea- Don't
YOU think do it most admirably"
YES" said Edith. sitting down
again. Il wonder you did not adopt
the stage as a profession?"
81 have often thought of doing so.
but journalism is more exciting"
Perhaps. Still. it has its disappoint-
ments. When gave my thrilling dra-
ma. as you call it. on shipboard, had
my stage accessories arranged to bet
ter advantage than you have now"
do you mean the putting off of the
boat?''
mo; | mean that the electric but
ton was under my hand-it was inn
possible for you to ring for help.
Now, while you hold the door, you
cannot stop me from ringing, for the
bell rope is here beside me-
Yes, that is a disadvantage, admit.
DO you intend to ring. then, and have
me turned out?''
81 don't think that will be necessary.
] imagine you will go quietly"
"You are a pretty clever girl. Miss
Longworth. wish liked you. but l
don't. So we won't waste valuable
time deploring that fact. Have you
no curiosity to hear what was going
to tell you?"
Not the slightest; but there is one
thing should like to know"
"Oh. is there? Well, that's human,
at any rate. What do you wish to
lnow2"
"You came here well recommended.
How did you know | wanted a house
maid. and were your testimonials
Edith paused for word. which Jennie
promptly supplied.
Forged? Oh. dear. no. There is
no necessity for doing anything Grim
inal in this country, if you have the
money. didn't forge theIl--I bought
them. Didn't you write to any of the
good ladies' who stood sponsor for me -
"Yes, and received most fiattering
accounts of you"
Certainly. That was part of the
contract Oh. you can do anything
with money in London; it is most de-
lightful town. Then, as for knowing
there is a vacancy, that also was
money. bribed the other housemaid
TO leave"
81 see. And what object had you in
all this?"
Jennie Brewster laughed-the same
-s;lvery laugh that had charmed Will
liam an hour or two before-a laugh
that sometimes haunted Wentworth s
memory in the city. She left her SEN
tinel-like position at the door and
threw herself into a chair.
Miss Longworth." she said, you are
not consistent. You first pretend that
YOU have no curiosity to hear what |
have to say. then you ask me exactly
what l was going to tell you. Of course
YOU are dying to know why am here;
YOU wouldn't be a woman If you
weren't. Now, I've changed my mind
and I don't intend to tell you. ] will
say though that my object in coming
here was. first. to find out for myself
how servants are treated in this coun-
try. You see my sympathies are all
with the women who work. and not
with the women-well. like yourself,
for instance"
"Yes. think you said that once be-
fore. And how do we treat our serv-
.ants?"
$50 far as my experience goes. very
we'll indeed"
1T is most gratifying to hear you
say this. was afraid we might not
have met your approval And now.
where shall / send you your months
money. Miss Brewster?"
Jennie Brewster leaned back in her
chair. her eyes all but closed. an angry
light shooting from them that remind
ed Edith of her glance of hatred on
board the steamship. 4 rich warm
glow of color overspread her fair face,
md her lips closed tightly. There was
a moments silence between them. and
then Jennie's Indignation passed away
as quickly as il came. She laughed.
with just a touch of restraint in her
tone.
Ou O1t al Insult t4lN, lB4llS lllN'l I
calmly and sweetly than anyone | ever
met before: envy you that When I
say anything low down and mean. |
say II in anger. ard nv voico has a GER
tain amount OF acrIdlty IN II. L can [
purr k a cat ard scratch at the same
time wish | could"
rs it an insult to offer you the money
YOU have earned ."
'Yes, it is, and you knew it was when
you spoke. You don't understand me a
little bit
IS it necessary that ! should ."
Il don't suppose you think it is"
said Jennie, meditatively. resting her
elbow on her knee. and her chin on her
palm. That is where our point of view
differs. / like 10 know everything. 1t
interests me TO know what people think
and talk about, and somehow it doesn't
seem TO matter TO me what the people
are, for / was even more interested in
your buffers political opinion than
I was in Lord Frederick Bingham's.
They are both conservatives, but Lord