Middletown transcript., 1904-04-09
1--WE TORREY. having been

see a display OF brightly-ilghted WINDOWS
Though Olives home was in smai
village where society was content witf
the mildest diversions, intuition at onc'
told her that here was the gayety sh'
had dreamed of.
Grace did not mention it, she reflected
with girlish pang at having missed
party. She must have meant to surprise
me.
She sat still, irresolute, while the cab
man stood ready to help her out. Sh'
saw the probable awkwardness of enter
ing where she must be seen by man.
guests in the untidiness consequent OF
days travel.
If I could see Grace alone first, slle
unused. It did not seem quite right tt
call Grace from her present duties anc
keep her for the time that would be
necessary to extend to ciSilities OF re
ception to new guest.
I wonder if I could slip in by some
back way, and not disturb any OF the
family till their guests are gone? Dc
you think, she suddenly addressed the
driver, that you could call one of the
servants out, and explain that | was de
layed ip getting here and would like te
get in quietly, without disturbing any o.
the family at present?
The man thought he could and went
up the steps, returning with the informa
ton that he had found waiter just
inside the door, and explained the matter
to him. The waiter said it could be
managed, and he would come out in
moment.
The waiter came down the steps and
Olive went to meet him. He stared cur.
iously at her in the dim light, but spoke
civilly to her and led the way into some
sort of side gateway, suggesting that the
cabman follow with Olives trunk. Oliye
stumbled down some steps and along a
paved dark walk, and was led into some
outer room, perhaps store-room. The
waiter remarked that, as the whole house
was in confusion, she had best, if she
wished to be unobseryed, remain here
till he could send maid to attend to
her.
Olive sat on her trunk and waited,
alone, half laughing and half depressed
at this odd way Of entering the house
where she had expected to be 50 cordially
received. It was relief to see the maid,
trim girl in cap and apron, who said i:
It's all right-you are expected. I'll
show you your room. Best leave the
trunk for tonight everyone is SO busy.
Olive, tired and in need of refreshing
toilet, thought this decidedly an uncom-
Portable arrangement; however, there
seemed no help for it, and che compro-
missed for degree Of comfort by taking
out some Of the most needsul articles
from her trunk to carry to her room.
This is your room, said the maid, hur-
riedly, setting down the kerosene lamp
she had carried. You'll find everything
here; I got it ready for you to-day. I
can't stay now-eyerything's in such
rush below. I suppose you don't care
to go down into it tonight wouldn't if
I we're you, and | dent believe it will be
expected of you.
Olive looked about her blankly as tile
maids slippers clicked down the stairs.
They had come up four flights; the room
was bare, and, Oliye thought, strangely
lacking in taste. From the size Of the
house, and the general indications she
had noted, this could hardly be fair
exhibition Of the elegant Of the establish
ment. Olive felt growing resentment.
1t was not thus that Grace had been en-
tertained at her home; the best room and
all possible daintiness had not seemed
too good for the loved guest. Olives face
was grave as she laid aside her hat and
jacket and took a survey of her appear
ance in the Wry mirror above the pine
bureau. Truly, the country mouse's visit
to the city had not opened with pleasant
est prospects. In few minutes her
heart lightened, and she laughed with
cheerful ripple at her foolish sensitive
ness. The lower floors, Of course, had
been thrown open for the party; and this
was merely temporary arrangement for
which Grace had expected to offer ex-
plantations and apologies. 1t was rather
a joke. after all. Olives spirits came
back after she had bathed her face and
hands and otherwise made herself more !
comfortable, and she felt an agreeable
excitement at the adventurous turn Of
things.
She wondered how long the party |
would last. She wanted to stay up to
zee Grace, Of course, but it promised to |
be rather dull, sitting alone in that room |
Of no entertaining resources. She was
glad when the maid came running ND
stairs again; perhaps Grace had heard Of
her arrival, in spite Of her precautions.
| wonder if you'd mind lending
hand ? the maid said. It's an awful rush.
Ind Mrs. Derwent is SO fussy about hay
ng things done up the same night, SO as
not to have the next days work broken
nto. If she'd put on help enough, there
would be more sense in it. You haven't
IN apron with you, of course-here, slip
IN this one Of mine-she darted into an
adjoining room and back again-and come
N. I'll get you job washing dishes;
TIL be out Of the way for you, and you
Won't have to be going about to get
mixed up in strange place.
Olive did not mind being of service; in
Ter own home, in similar circumstances,
trace would have been allowed to lend
ssistance. To be sure, Olive had sup
osed the domestic service in this house
. be on such a scale that such an emer-
ency would hardly arise; and she thought
he manners of the maid not marked by
to express it mildly. But,
be reflected further, Grace had said
luch at times of the independence and {
ven insolenca of citv aervanfs