The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1897-04-15
CHApTEE Ky.

CHAPTER XIV.
Jennie Brewster stood with her back
TO the door, a sweet smile on her face.
This is my day for acting, Miss
Longworth. l think l did the role OF
housemaid so well that it deceived sew
cral 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
1gain. Il wonder you did not adopt
the stage as profession?"
Il have often thought of doing SO,
but journalism is more exciting"
Perhaps. Still, it has its dsappoint
ments. When l 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?"
"No; l mean that the electric but
ton was under my hand-it was i'm
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 disadvantage, admit.
Do you intend to ring, then, and have
me turned out?"
II don't think that will be necessary.
imagine you will go quietly"
You are pretty clever girl, Miss
Longworth. | wish liked you, but
| 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
know?"
You came here well recommended.
How did you know | wanted 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 them-I bought
| them. Didn't you write to any of the
| good ladies who stood sponsor for me o.
"Ies, and received most flatterinr
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 house1naid
! 20 leave"
Il 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 Wentwort 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 was going to tell you. OF course
you are dying to know why l am here;
you wouldn't be a woman if YOU
weren't. Now, I've changed my mind
and | 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, l think you said that once be-
fore. And how do we treat our serv.
ants?"
$50 far as my experience goes, very
well indeed"
ut is most gratifying to hear you
say this. / was afraid we might not
Aave 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
hoard the steamship. A rich warm
glow of color overspread her fair face.
and her lips closed tightly. There was
d moments silence between them, and
then Jennie's indignation passed away
as quickly as it came. She laughed,
with just a touch of restraint in her
tone.
fa-l