The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1908-02-04


ing to Darnell. at isn't much, for
we have dinner at noon, but III
be glad to have you"
Thank you," said Darnell, and
Mason brought another chair to the
table and held it for Miss Hadley.
ooh, I'm the maid" she said,
with glance at Darnell that made
him feel like kicking himself; "and
besides, Harry and l have had all
the supper we want already"
Mason tried to insist, but Miss
Hadley was firm. u
Wont you please sit DOWN."
she said.
Mason and Darnell took their
places solemnly. The situation was
funny enough, but Miss Hadley
showed no disposition to laugh, and
they dared not. She proved to be
an ideal maid, silently attentive.
speaking only when spoken to, and
refusing to take any part in the
conversation. If she hoped to
make Darnell uncomfortable, she
was wonderfully successful, but
Mason shared in the discomfort
, When the door bell rang Mason
jumped up to go, but sank back in
his chair as he saw that the maid"
was ahead of him.
| What have we done to deserve
this?" asked Mason ruefully.
| you, nothing" returned Darnell
'but l have committed the crime
of catching her dressed like maid
and joking about it. L seem to be
always offending her. l don't be-
lieve she'd have cared con-
tinental if it had been anyone
else"
"You dont?"
| mo, | don't
Mason pondered this for a mo.
ment.
women are queer creatures" he
said, at last, "but | don't think
that's such a bad sign"
Darnell was in a humor to give
more of his confidence than usual.
"She's said to be engaged" he
remarked.
Said to bel" repeated Mason.
Before Darnell could reply to
this, Miss Hadley returned with
the information that poor woman
wished to see the alderman, and
Mason left them alone.
| Said to be-" repeated Darnell
to himself, as if the phrase had
| given him a new idea. He recall
ed that the only information on the
subject had come indirectly from
Stanley Fisher But Fisher certain
ly had interviewed Mr.. Hadley,
and-well, he looked at the girl as
If he would like to ask a question,
but dared not. -
Miss Hadley," he said, "I-"
"Pm the maid, she interrupted.
to indicate that the farce was still
to be kept up.
"Oh!" he returned, with smile
that showed he saw his advantage
well, then, Josephine"
"On second thought" she broke
in, her cheeks flushing II don't
believe III be the maid"
Gin that case" he said, eve can
talk more freely Will you let me
tell you something's"
|
the kitchen?." she asked, moving
toward the door.
mo, it isn't" he answered des-
perately. I'm the only one who's
calling you. Won't you listen to
me? You must know how hard
I've tried to-" He meant to add
"be your ideal,' but she inter-
rupted.
"And you've almost succeeded"
kitchen door.
succeeded in what" he asked,
hopefully.
Thin being man. with a
mans determination and strength
-and-and masterfulness. It's for
woman to win and for man to con-
quer, to grasp, to compel"
"What?'
Success"
AS she disappeared into the
kitchen, he jumped up and follow
ed to the open door, where he
} caught sight Of her bending over
the boy, Harry. who had fallen
asleep with his head resting on the
: table.
"Josephine!" he exclaimed.
'Ib not the maid" she retorted
Miss Hadley," he said, Il wait
ed In the hope that you would lei
mem take you home"
She hesitated, but suddenly re
called the flowers he had giver
Miss Dale the first night of the
lnew council and also his joke abou
the maid"
"Such gallantry to the maid.
she said, might create comment.
But you just said you weren'
the maid!" he protested.
And, anyway" she added, "th'
carriage is coming for me, will
Mr.. Fisher"
Damn Fisher!" he cried, turn
ing sharply away.
A lady usually expects an apol
ogy for such an outbreak in he
presence, but Miss Hadley onl.
laughed softly to herself. 1t seem
ed to please her!
And Fisher wasn't coming
either.
s(To be continued)