Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1909-10-29
The Accomplished
Mrs. Thompson
BY NoRvAL RICHARDSON
Copyright. by J. B. Lippincott Coz

BY NoRvAL RICHARDSON
Copyright, by J. B. Lppincott Coz
Dick, it's wonderful! I've found
the very woman"
This was Aunt Sarah's greeting to
me after my absence of three months.
but it was so characteristic of her
this plunging into the middle Of sub
ject without any preliminaries-that
l dispensed with the customary ques-
lions about health and other minor
details and followed her to a quiet
corner Of the cafe, where she had al
ready procured table.
What is her manner" asked, feel
ing that / ought to ask some kind of
a question.
Mrs. Thompson"
"a married woman! Any chill
dren?"
mo children, and 1 don't think a
husband. OF course I didn't like to
inquire too particularly"
did you engage herr"
eyes, and she Is waiting now for
you to appoint the day for her to
come"
told her of our little journey in
England, and how Bette had decided
to remain with some relatives when
was called back to New York on
business. She was to Join me, how
ever, in q week now, and had written
me to be sure and procure maid-of-
all-work and begin housekeeping in
the little suburban cottage which we
had bought and furnished before leav-
ing on our summer trip. OF course
had done nothing of the sort. and
had gone to a hotel until she came.
But as the time approached ! felt
consciencestricken In not having the
house open for her arrival. In my
predioament I had telephoned Aunt
Sarah, who was spending the summer
at = nearby seashore resort, asking
her to come In town for a day and
select the maid and anything else
that was necessary.
"There is just one thing more that
want you to do for me, Aunt Sarah, y
I said, when we could keep away from
the all-important subject no longer
81 have to leave town In the morning
for several days. Will you go out to
the cottage with Mrs. Thompson to-
morrow, and show her around? You
know l expect Bette to arrive next
Thursday, SO that will only give hel
few days to get the house in run
ming order. I thought should not
move out until Bette comes, but thai
will not keep the maid from getting
her things out there. and, for that
matter. she can remain after to-mor
row. If she wishes to-"
| Aunt Sarah agreed with me about
this, so left town the next morning
feeling that was particularly lucky
| man.
When I returned the next Thursday
! found Marconi message awaiting
me at the hotel, saying the steamer
was due to arrive at noon that day
This gave me just two hours in which
to get down to the dock. There waI
also a note from Aunt Sarah, saying
that she had left everything in beau
tiful order at the cottage, and ha(
returned to the seashore, adding tina
she felt sure that we would find Mrs
Thompson treasure.
My first thought was to telephone
Mrs. Thompson that my wife and
should be out in time for dinner, ant
to have everything in readiness. I
was only a few minutes before / re
ceived an answer to my call. A low
distinct voice at the other end asket
who I was and what I wanted.
asked If it were Mrs. Thompson, ant
then stated that we should be GU
that evening.
"I'm delighted! Everything is II
readiness" came the low, modulate
voice.
We had so much to say-Bettie an
THAT housekeeping and the cottag
did not enter once into our converse
ton until we had reached our subur
and were on the trolley car nearin
our home.
ooh, Dick, tell me about the cottag
and the maid! You didn't disappoin
me and not get one?"
"Oh, no." I answered complacently
ST have one"
TELL me all about her. Is she sa
isfactory? I hope that she is fairl
decent looking"
IT don't know about her appearance,
but she has charming voice."
"But why don't you know about he
appearance"
well, you know, I've never see
her"
II can't understand, Dick. VIII:
do you mean?"
Then I gave her a full account {
the whole affair.
When we reached our street gatl
cred up the grips, and we both wake
a little excitedly towards the cottag
Bette was frankly impatient to Sc
the maid, and I must confess that
was somewhat interested myself; Il
q woman with such voice could n,
possibly fail to be interesting, I fe
sure.
The hall door was open and Il
cottage lighted brilliantly-it was ha
after six in the evening-so that Of
Homecoming was hospitable, to 81
the least.
When we were on the steps 81
came out to greet us-a charming a
partition in a spotless white gov
elbow sleeves, and white shoes.
iaunty black bow was thrust in b
hair, which was quite golden-a sha,
beyond criticism-and with dark BIZ
eyes, perfect complexion, and
o most fetching smile upon her char
ing countenance-in fact, to be qui