Middletown transcript., 1906-06-09
that IS too bad .

Valise, which were presently
scattered in semi.cirele before
her. That the search was m.
successful was apparent from
the gathering frown on her face
At last she thrust the various
articles back into the valise and
walked impatiently to a window.
Several minutes Of silent con-
sternation, then the frown van
ished in a clear, ringing laugh.
Sure, this is one on you, Miss
Flighty Head, she cried,
merrily. Wouldn't Reggie reign
triumphant if be knew! But he
shall not find out. No indeed
with a grimace. He would never
let me hear the last Of il if he did.
But what shall / do? Three
thousand miles from home, with
only five pounds in my purse,
and not the remotest idea in what
part of this hurry -scurry New
York Reggie is to be found. Well,
nil desperGadatna, as papa says. A
Fitzgerald never gets to his wits
end. But what a ninny to lose
that address.
She remained for long time
gazing abstractedly at the kali
eidoscopic tides of humanity in
the street below, then a sudden
fash came into her eyes.
Why, of course, she said, as
though she had come to the one
natural conclusion, I will earn
my living until I get the address
from papa. He will be up at
Ballyshannon with his guns and
dogs before this, and it will take
at least six weeks to hear from
him. I have often read letters
to the servants from their peo-
pie in America, and they always
go to an intelligence Office. /
will go to one myself.
The hotel clerk was exper-
fenced in his profession, and
prided himself on an intutive re-
cognition Of breeding. He had
been rather impressed by the
young lady when she put her
name on the register, an hour be-
fore, and he now bowed very low
as she approached.
Did he know of an intelligence
Office? Certainly, seueral Of
them. And he wrote the adj
dresses for her with ceremonious
courtesy, and even told her at
which place she would be likely
to find the best servants
When she thanked him and
turned away, he reversed the
register and stared meditati vely
at her signature.
Esther Geraldine Fitzgerald,
ireland.
Name just suits her, he NUT
tered. Some of the old nobility,
most likely. Then he twirled
the book SO that a portly man
with half a dozen daughters
could sign a list of family names.
On this very day it happened
that Mrs. Van Maurice, of Ad-
vanced Thought fame, was unex-
pectedly deprived of a house
keeper. She was in the midst of
a round of engagements and So
ciaI duties, and. as she prided
herself on the unobtrnsiVe mach
inery of her household, this de-
fection filled her with momen-
tary CONSERVATION. But she was
a woman of resource, and a quick
mental calculation convinced her
that she could spare a brief half
hour from her calls. This she
utilized in a visit to an intelli-
gence Office.
A young lady was talking with
the clerk when she entered.
Several women were sitting or
standing about the room in var
ious attitudes of hope or despond-
ency. Mrs. Van Maurice gave
them one comprehensive glance,
and then turned to the clerk and
waited for him to be at leisure.
1t was not an ordinary servant
she wanted now, but one who
was competent to take charge OF
her complicated household in
short, . peculiar combination Of
servant and lady, in which the
servant should not assume, nor
the lady be to her position.
She was a liberal patron of the
office, and presently the clerk
excused himself to the young
lady and came forward.
What can ! do for you, Mrs.
Van Maurice he asked.
she told him briefly.
Why, really I am not sure
but this person will suit you.
she has been speaking about