The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1907-02-28
Below Stairs
By Will A. Page.
By Will A. Page.

sssesssessessesesssssOssss
Evans. the butler, was industriously
reading the newspaper out loud. On
the other side of the kitchen table Nor
timer, the coachman, was mending his
whip.
THE daring robbers then bundled up
their booty and decamped," the pom
pous butler read very loudly, leaving
the detective officers batfled without
clew AS there WAS no evidence that
the doors had been forced or locks
tempered with, the detectives were at
first inclined to suspect the servants,
but as Mr. Walcott declared he had the
utmost faith in them the police were
not allowed to search their rooms"
Mortimer ohliyious of the newspaper
item, did not reply when Evans stop
ped reading as though expecting some
comment.
Il say, Mortimer, old chap, that isn't
such bad haul. is it? The paper
says they got away with 5000 worth
of silver"
bad haul% qucrIed Mortimer.
what are you talking about"
Talking about" repeated Evans,
disgusted. why, what else should l
be talking about but the big robbery
down the street at old man Walcott's
house,"
"Oh, I'm sorry. didn't know you
-
Il should say it was of Importance.
As the servants there are suspected,
that naturally places us in an awkward
position"
What do you mean"
Aren't we all servants? And if one
Of the fashionable families takes up
fad don't all the other fashionable fam
! lilies follow suit"
Nonsense, Evans You're an old
| fool
Il tell you persisted Evans, that if
the Walcott servants are suspected OF
dishonesty the servants of every fash
ionable family in the city will have to
clear their characters"
"Why. we are well known to the
mlssus have been with her six
years, yet you dare And Mortimer
rose, fourishlng his whip.
81 don't mean you" sneered Evans.
ITS Miss Charlotte who is more like
ly to be suspected.
Mortimer resisted the inclination 10
strike the fellow. though he was strong
ly tempted. The doorbell sounding
then Evans, with a muttered impreCa=
ton, rushed to a small mirror hanging
on the kitchen wall. primped himself
and disappeared, bowling deliberately to
Charlotte, the maid newly come to
service who happened 10 be entering
the kitchen at that particular moment.
Now, then, you stupid" broke in
Charlotte, you almost made me drop
the chinaware"
Charlotte bowed without speaking
to Mortimer, who commenced to mcnd
the whip with redoubcd anxiety She
busted herself at the gas stove making
chocolate, and neither spoke Il word
for several moments. Then Evans
broke in hurredly upon them
ITS detective" he cried, rushing
across the room toward the door which
led into the front basement 4 seen
1t on the card he sent up to the missus
"A. l.. Walker, Detective lIeadqu0r-
ters;' that's what the card said" lie
opened the door into the basement
But what does he wantf' inquired
Charlotte.
That's just what I'm going 10 lind
out. There's furnace pipe in there
that is loose and IT opens right under
where the detective is sitting | can
hear every word" And he disappeared
into the cellar.
Pm afraid Mr.. Evans is not trou-
bled by scruples, Mr. Mortimer" said
Charlotte, turning 10 the gas stove
again Il always thought buffers a
bad lot"
I'm glad you think so" began Nor
timer
"Why. Mr. Mortimer, what do you
mean?"
"Of course one cant be jealous Of
butler" broke in Mortimer dropping
| the whip
jealous? Well, like that" with
toss OF the head.
Perhaps l shouldn't say jealous"
continued Mortimer. abashed. But.
you see, / wanted to ask you
"WenT'
If you'd spend your next evening
out with me, unless you have some
other engagement"
Next week. on ThursdayY said
Charlotte coquettishly. mo. ! don't
think have anything on my card"
"Then I'll put you down for next
Thursday, Miss Charlotte. Thanks"
Ibid you say 1t was for the grand
opera Mr.. MortimerT
mo, Miss Charlotte: for the coach
mems ball"
1.-THE coachmen's ballT' repeated
Charlotte enthusiastically. ooh, h9w
Jolly! I've always wanted to go to
roachmen's ball lists rather ex-
rlusiye, isn't it?'
II should say So" answered Morti-
mer proudly. "Only those who drive
for the west end families are eligible"
The sudden boiling over of the milk
Interrupted these pleasant anticipa-
tons of future happiness, and Morti-
mer was dispatched posthaste TO the
dining room to secure some chocolate.