Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-05-19
DAILY SHORT STORY
STORY OF A LAoYs MAID.

J up WITHOUT any EDUCATION nau IL uOl
! been that Paul. who was a page in the
house of representatives, found favor
| with one OF the members. who gave
! him an appointment 10 West Point.
! This made Paul an officer in the Unit
| ed States engineers, while I-well,
| what could l do after mothers death
! but go out TO service:
! Paul came to see NE during his fur
| Tough summer as q cadet, but IL was
| not pleasant for him to let his class
mates know that his sister was a
| bOusemaid, and it was very embarrass-
| ing for him He couldn't do anything
to lift me out of such mental position,
for a cadet has only enough from the
government to pay his way at the acad-
| envy. Consequently on graduating he
didn't come again. though he wrote me
that. now he was an officer on officers
pay, he would do something TO elevate
my condition. But second lieuten-
ants pay is very small in proportion to
his expenses. and SO il was that Paul
and drifted away from one another.
Ten years passed. l was Iady's maid
for Miss Rosalind Phillips, a wealthy
young lady in Washington. She was
engaged when | entered her service 10
one who lived at distance. Miss Phil
lips never mentioned her lover TO me.
She was high bred girl. naturally reti-
cent. and would scorn to talk contiden-
TALLY with servant. 1t was not
known i'll society that she was en-
gagged. Indeed ! could not have known
it myself had ! not seen bulky letters
constantly coming in.
One day letter arrived that put my
mistress in fiutter and | heard her
say to her father, He'll be here in a
few days" He came in the afternoon
about o'clock My mistress was with
him in the library till 3. when she rang
for me TO bring in tea. OF course l
looked at her lover The face was
familiar to me from the first, becOm-
ing more and more so till recognized
my brother Paul. He scarcely glanced
al me.
| kept my eyes fixed on the tea
caps, but just before going out | looked
at him again. His eyes were fixed on
me with u glance l shall never forget.
There WIS recognition but with il pain
and fear. | looked away without any
evidence OF recognition and left the
room.
Paul was great deal at the house,
and Of course we met often Whether
he thought | didn't recognize him or
whether he assumed that | would not
embarrass him by making our relation
81; l, a
rate. he ignored me, though detected
a panied expression on his face every
time | entered a room where he was.
On one occasion was alone with him
| saw that he was thinking Of speak
ing to me: but. realizing that this might
make it harder for him. | maintained a
servants demeanOr and as soon as
possible left the room.
Then came the announcement OF the
engagement aud immediate prepara-
tons for the wedding. PauTs regiment
was stationed in the Philippines. and
he had received a leave OF absence To
come home TO be married. just before
the wedding my mistress told me that
she was to go back with him, counting
on me to remain in her service and
make the journey with her. | declined
She cOaXed aud offered higher wages.
but | remained firm in my resolution |
One day she rang for me when she was !
with Paul aud said to him before me:
Helena says she will not go with |
US. and | fear | shall have to change
my plans and let you go back without |
me. Perhaps you can persuade her"
Helena he said. either you must |
go with us or we will not go together"
He spoke with sincerity and resolu- |
ton. ! was astOnished A glance at |
him assured me that he had made |
known his wish
Very we'll" / said Rather than be |
the cause of your parting l will GO
That night after Paul left Miss Phil |
lips came upstairs very quickly and. |
passing me without looking or speak
ing 10 NE, went into her room and |
locked the door The next morning |
when | went to attend her she drew
me down beside her on the bed.
Helena, she said, Il have not slept |
a wink all night | have had terrible |
decision TO make, and have made Il.
] have decided for Paul and for YOU
Last night he told me all. Circum- |
stances have forced you apart aud |
placed him in an embarrassing posi-
ton. You have both acted with great |
tact and judgment, just as / would /
have had YOU act
Paul and | wish You TO accompany |
US till we have sailed as my maid TO Il
avoid talk, after that as our sister"
She put her arms around my neck II
and kissed me II
oh, no; I can't do that" / said. II
tears streaming from my eyes I've II
always worked for my living. and | Il
must keep on working for H. If Paul II
were rich instead OF you it might be
but even then he could not Il
lift me from the station in which fate II
bias placed me"
Paul has made some Investments II
that have returned him something. He II
came back expecting TO find you and Il
help You You shall go with us and
y 20 -,