Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1909-01-29
!. FRIDAY MORNING, JANUARY 90. 1909
Words to
the Wise
BY GERTRUDE LEWIS.
Copyrighted. 1908, by Associated
Literary Press.
BY GERTRUDE LEWIS.

even Ben MelYille'S mOther-in-law. She
was his stepmother-in-law, and Lefty
disliked her as much as her husband
did.
They had welcomed the change In
Ben's business affairs which required
his removal to California, and as they
boarded the train that was to take
them on the first stage of their journey
Lefty breathcd a little sigh Of relief.
81 suppose it's wicked" she said soft
ly. but wish we were going to China
or japan"
"What's the use?" asked Ben, with n
laugh. "She would follow US out there,
The last thing she said was that II you
she would come out at once"
Lefty sat up very straight In her
seat.
"Ben Melville" she warned Impress
lively, "lf you ever dare send such a
message III never speak to you again"
al won't" he promised teaslngly,
unless you need punishment"
Thereafter impending quarrels were
checked when Ben irrelevantly inquir-
ed If there was telegraph blank
handy The threatened trouble always
ended In laugh.
The first six months of California life
seemed like dream, SO different was
everything from what 1t had been In
the east. A flower garden that bloom
cd the year round was new to the little
New England girl, and Wah Ling, once
his oriental makeup was mastered, was
like gift OF the gods. After a quick
succession of raw immigrants of all ma
tionalities the Chinaman was n revela-
ton.
silent footed, competent and scrupu-
lousy neat, Wah Ling was a great re-
lief to the little housekeeper, and Mel
Vile declared his home to be para
disc with thirty dollar month angel
In charge.
Then the blow fell. Lefty met her
husband at the door of their little
home with an expression on her face
that filed him with alarm.
whats wrong, little woman" he
asked anxiously. ais is bad, dear?'
at couldn't be worse" she sobbed rs
he gathered her into his arms. Mrs.
Mook's coming"
"Wire her not to-" he said sharply.
II know that she's your stepmother,
darling, but that doesn't entitle her
to come out here and make life mIser-
able. should not think that she
would want TO. You dop't even call
her mother"
"She doesn't mind little thing like
that" sobbed Lefty. "She writes that
the doctor says that her lungs are
weak and that six months In the mild
California air Is just what she needs,
She's coming to stay with us because
dad can't afford to send her out here
and pay her board too"
"Wire her not to come" repeated
Ben sternly But Lefty shook her
head
1--WE can't" she walled. "She start
ed the day after she mailed this, and
she'll be here tomorrow.
"Then we'll have to make the best
Of IT," said Ben, with the peculiar
tightening Of the lips that marked his
dlspleasure. perhaps we may find
some way Of housing her elsewhere.
Let's have dinner. The situation will
look better after we have had some
thing to eat"
But even Wah Lings perfect cook
ing did not bring the customary sense
Of contentment, though he had done
his best, because he had seen that his
mistress was worried.
He moved about the dining room In
his spotless white costume like some
accomplished ghost and took n dislike
to the new guest before he had seen
her because she had made the mistress
cry.
But his dislike became personal
when he entered the dining room the
following afternoon. Mrs. Nook had
arrived only half hour before, and
she Ind not been apprised Of the en-
ployment Of Chinese boy"
"The persons In his night clothes"
she cried, eying Wah Lings snowy
garments with disfavor my dear
Lefty. your father wears those things
to sleep in
at Is the native costume" explain
ed Lefty. ut Is very cool and com
Portable"
'Tts Indecent" commented Mrs
Nook, and WAh Ling scowled.
A melancholy trio sat on the Diazza
that evening ia the soft dusk, heavy
with the scent Of flowers. Mrs. Nook
found fault with everything and an
nounced that on the morrow she
would readjust the household affairs
Lefty sought 10 make reply, but u
warning pressure on ner arm causee
her to remain silent, aud not until
Mrs. Nook announced herself ready
for bed was the riddle explained.
Immediately after breakfast Mrs.
Nook announced that the process Of
reform would start IA the Kitchen.
Mrs. Melville drew back.
"You mustn't go In there" she cried
"TeI Wah Ling what you want done,
and he Will do It perfectly, but the
Chinese boys will not stand for any
supervision"
That's all nonsense" declared Mrs.
Nook milItantly. "He can ride rough
shod over you, but he'll find he has
some one else to deal with now"
with majestic mien she strobe into
the Immaculate kitchen. Wah Ling