The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-12-27

than anything else is a good home
and she knows how 10 make those
hominy fritters 1 lost the recipe Of
and"
How about her references" Helene
cut short .the list Of the applicants
exceuencies. 1T doesn't seem to me
a girl Of that sort should have 20 be
hunting a place"
'Oh, but she has only been in the
city short while. and she had no
thought Of going into service until
ii was suggested 70 her ny thinkin 3
about us. Never having worked out
There. she has, Of course. no New York
references; but she says anybody in
the Western village she came from
would voUch for her, although she
doesn't especially care to have any OF
them know what she's doing.
4 am sure, too. that she dOesn'
drink, and she's not pretty enough TO
be hirtatious; so at least don't decide
against her, Helene" pleaded the OLD
lady. until after you have seen he's.
l told her to come back for an answer
at o'clock this evening"
Very WELL" assented Helene. al
though since you are the one 10 be
suited, auntie. 1 don't know that 1
really ought 10 come in on the matter
at all What's the name Of this rara
avis2"
"F'lossy Peasley; but she says she
would rather be called Florence. il We
don't mind"
We certainly do not mind. 'FIossy'
is a little gay and giddy for our de-
n I nf
references. auutie: but II she had in
sisted on .FIos5y,' l don't think even
the nominy friIters could have recon-
ciled me To CT staying"
Helene was disposed TO take her
auuJs encOmiUms upon her find with
q considerable grain OF salt; but when
she had herself interviewed the aspi-
Jant that evening, she was obliged 10
&mit that the case had not been
cverstated.
FIOssy answered all questions put 10
her directly. and in a manner which
showed her complete familiarity with
all branches Of housewifery. Nor was
there any trouble IN securing her agree
ment 20 an equitable wage.
One stipulation she made, however,
She begged TO De excused from answer
pany was present, pleading as an ex-
PLANTATION that she was apt 10 be shy
and awkward at such times. and might
commit some grievOus mistake.
"Oh, we'll" thought Helene, any girl
we might get would have a rad OF
some kind, and this one really makes NJ
difference. We have been used 10 az
swering the door and waiting on the
table ourselves. and ] suppose we can
continue 10 do 50. Besides. we never
have any company except Mr. spencer
occasionally Tor Sunday dinner on tire
whole. she seems so admirable IN other
respects. and auutie is so manifestly de-
lighted. / guess I had better take her"
Accordingly. Florence was duly en-
gagged and soon proved herself even
more capable and competent than she
Lad represented.
In short. she was as Aunt Margaret.
with the proud spirit Of a discovering
columbus. took frequent opportunity
To observe. an undoubted treasure
Yet Helene. although she admitted all
her maids good qualities, was never
exactly certain whether she was pleased
10 have her in the house or not
There was a battling quality about
Florence. a sort Of mystery which she
was unable 20 fathon-
The woman, for all her stolid ways
and continual industry, seemed some
how 10 be pursuing underneath a deep
and determined purpose,
A volcano covered with placid vine
wards was the comparison which roge
TO Helene's Undiscovered with PLACID
VINEYARDS. bat ready at any moment to
burst forth into vcgefuI and consuming
fury
Once or twice, too, she had caught
Florence, when the girl had believed
herself unobserved. regarding her with
p peculiarly intense look, an almost
Sicilian stare Of blended jea'ousy and
look, il struck her, Of q
-igress just about to spring.
And then she would chide herselS and
say she must oe getting an attack OF
nerves. for Florence, her strained glance
relaxing, would -lurmur admirIngIv-
How pretty your hair is this morning.
Miss Helene. 1 jest can't take my eyes
PIN it
The Continuation of This Story VIII
BE Found In TOmOrrOVv's
Issue of This Paper.