The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-10-23
POSITIVELY LAST APPEARANCE

POSITIVELY LAST APPEARANCE.
When Herbert Dean, secretary Of the
Amalgamated Rye Biscuit Company-a
struggling project-broughs his young
wife Edna TO the suburban home he had
prepared for her, he was surprised that
not a servant girl could be had for love
or money, at least not for any sum
they could afford.
Mrs. Dean was an orphan and had sup
ported herself in a small way on the
vaudeville stage Her husband said that
she could do everything but act, and he
objected to the slightest reference 70 her
stage life. To his anxious question as 70
how she could get along without a do
nestle, Mrs. Dean said:
I could not possibly do without one. 1
might manage the work. used TO cook
and wash dishes behind the scenes-her
husband WINGED at that-"but 1 need q
girl TO wait on the door when callers
come. 1 have found one, too, that viii
answer the purpose"
But, my dear, have you thought of the
expense? And where did you find the
girl?"
"Oh, she is a faw importation. but viii
improve. And as 10 the expense. leave
that TO me, dear. Let US make a bar
take care of mine, and we will not inter
fere with each other. unless things go
wrong"
But who is to pay the bills?"
You, dear, all except the girl. I have
saved and have some resources Of my
own"
When he went home the next evening
the new girl opened the door. She was
a fresh Importation from the green isle
across the seas, with a Ratchet face, a
shock of red hair with wild. wierd
tendency to curl, and a rich brogue. Her
gay calico gown was pinned up around
her square waist, and a. pair OF brogans
announced her presence with unearthly
squeaks. She greeted him effusively.
-Shure, are yees the mistress hus-
band? She didn't have an oye to beauty
be standin' there coolin' the bit of sup
per wild We kapin' the dure open."
Where is your mistress?' asked Her
bert, gazing in awe at the apparition.
In the kitchen, shure-where else wud
she be at this tonne OF day? Dim the
new gurrl."
II see you are" said Herbert, smoth-
his dignity, and I hope you will like
your new place well enough to stay"
The next night Herbert let himself in.
He did not see the new girl, but he
heard her rasping voice in the kitchen,
and looking for Edna he win out there.
but the door was slammed in his face and
locked. He raped and commanded that
it be opened, but getting no answer he
retreated to the dining-room just as Edna
came down, looking as fresh as q daisy
in her becoming toilet.
''This is just a little too muchi" he
began, after he had saluted his wife In a
very lover-like fashion, ito have the
door closed"
Edna interrupted him with a musical
peal Of laughter.
THAT girl will be the death OF me-"
she said, tragically. Il had callers to-
day. that awful prim Mrs. Fortescue and
her daughter who is just little worse
than the mother. Norah let them in, and
then stood at the foot of the stairs and
yelled up: 'Soyl Come down. There s
some wimmin down here wants to see
yeesr
What did you do?"
"Oh, I could hardly apologize for
laughing when I went down, but. Her
bert, those prim women actually took II
as a joke. They said 1 must let them
know If I ever wanted to change-she
would be such d treasure when she was
tanned. They wanted to know all about
her"
You never told me how you happened
to get her." Herbert suggested.
MOP" with slight rising reflection to
her monosyllable; was it necessary
But one night on going home tie found a
new girl installed in Norah's place. She
was lighting the hall lamp and spoke to
him ciyilly when he entered. She was
elderly. with slick black hair combed
down on her temples. beetling black
brows and long. sharp, inquisitive
nose.
a few days later Edna remarked that
the new girl, whose name was Ellen,
was accustomed to show ladies into the
parlor and take their cards. and that she
made q very good first impression. Her
bert did not see her more frequently
than he had seen Norah, but she was
not a termagant. and the few times that
he went into the kitchen she pursued
her work without being at all frustrated.
Herbert mistrusted the new girl and
felt strange sense Of mystery and IN
quiet in the air. He asked his wife If
she thought it possible the girl might
be in league with burglars Edna re-
ceived the suggestion with peals OF that
gay laughter which for some reason
grated on his ears.
One afternoon Herbert went home an
hour earlier than usual in q state of
great excitement. and hunted in vain
through the house for either his wife or
the girl. Under ordinary circumstances
this would not have disturbed him. At
last Edna appeared, looking Hurried and
disturbed. Her husbands first question
was asked IN a voice of authority such as
sch had never heard him use.
Edna. where Is Norah?"
a sudden color leaped into her face.
She laughed.
How could I known" she asked. flip
PANTY.
Edna, for heavens sake be serious!
You must produce Norah or tell every
thing you know concerning her, and that
at once
May I ask why?'
Il believe the report IS circulated that
we have made way with the girl
''Ridiculousl What do you think. Her
hertz"
Don't ask me You know in a subur-
ban town the most unheard Of rumors
are given credence. Mrs. Fortescue says
that you kept the girl under lock and
key. No one ever saw her leave the
house. The authorities have been noti-
FED and are coming here"
That his wife was insane was the fear
fuI suggestion in Herbert Deans mind.
as she rushed past him and Up stairs.
with q Wild laugh, just as the doorbeli
ranE violently. he opened the door. ad-
hitting q constable ana Mrs. Fortescue
with her Fetinue.
Come ia" said Herbert, IN anything
but q hospitabis tone.
The official began reading some kind
az a p0nderous indictment, when a lum-
bering football was heard on the stairs,
and Norah in the flesh stood before
al Seen ned ~ adm