, 1910-09-22
~ ROBERH RZVEXz1R1

q a dinerence OF opinion, and Mrs.
Ralston left OF the IL train. Just after
luncheon, Burke, the butler, was taken
unexpectedly with a pain in his right
side, much worse when I was within
hearing distance, and by afternoon he
was started cityward. That night the
cooks sister had a baby-the cook.
seeing indecision in my face, made 1t
twins on second thought-and, to be
short. by Dol the next day the house
hold staff was down to Liddy and
myself. And this in a house with ~
rooms and FIVE baths!
Liddy wanted to go back to the city
at once, but the milkboy said that
Thomas Johnson. he Armstrong;
colored butler. was working as a
waiter at the Greenwood club and
might come back. / ave the usual
scruples about coercing peoples serv-
ants away, but few of us have n
conscience regarding institutions Or
corporations-witness the way we
beat railroads and street car compan-
les when WI can-so / called up the
club. and about eight O'Clock Thomas
Johnson came to see me. Poor
Thomas!
Well, 1t ended by my engaging
Thomas on the spot. at outrageous
wages, and with permission to sleep
in the gardeners lodge. empty since
the house was rented. The old man
he was e-haired and a little
stopped. but with an immense idea of
his personal dignity-gave me his
reasons hesitatingly.
81 amt sayin' nothing. Mis- Innes,"
he said. his hand on the door-knob, but
there's been goin's-on here this las
few months al amt natchal. 'Tain't
n thing an faint another-it's lest
a door s%quealin' here. an a wtnder
closing there. but when doors an
winders gets to cuttin' up capers and
there's nobody nigh 'em, it's time
Thomas johnson sleeps somewhar's
else"
Liddy, who seemed to be never
more than ten feet away from me that
night. and was afraid of her shadow
in that great barn of a place, screamed
a little. and turned a yellow-green.
But I am not easily alarmed.
1t was entirely in vain I represented
to Thomas hat we were alone, and
that he would have to stay In the
house hat night. He was politely
firm, but he would come over early
the next morning. and if / gave him a
key. he would come in time to get
some sort of breakfast. stood on
the huge veranda and watched him
shuttle along down the shadowy drive
with mingled feelings-irritation at
his cowardice and thankfulness at get
ting him at all. ! am not ashamed
to say that / double-locked the hall
door when I went in.
"You can lock up the rest Of the
house and go to bed. Liddy," I said
severely. You give me the reeps
standing there. A woman Of your age
ought to nave better sense" 1t usual
ly braces Liddy to mention her g
she owns to 40-which is absurd. Her
mother cooked for my grandfather,
and Liddy must be at least as old as
l. But that night she refused to
brace.
you're not going to ask me I o lock
up, Miss RACHEL" she quavered.
why, there's a dozen French win
dows in the drawing n the bill
lard room wing. and every n opens
on a porch. And Mary Anne said that
last night there was a man standing
by the stable when she locked the
kitchen door"
Mary Ann was a fool" l said
sternly. IF there had been q man
there she would have had him in the
kitchen and been feeding him what
raj left from dinner. inside of an hour,
from force Of habit. Now don't be
ridiculous. Lock up the house and 70
to bed. am going to read"
But Liddy set her lips tight and
stood still.
"Tm not going to bed" she said. 81
am going to pack up. and tomorrow
I am going to leave"
You'll do nothing of the sort" l
snapped. Liddy and l often desire to
part company. but never at the same
time. IF you are afraid. l will 90
with you. but for goodness sake don't
try to hide behind me-"
The house was a typical summer
residence on an extensive scale.
Wherever possible. on the first floor.
the architect had done away with par
titions. using arches n columns in
stead. The effect was cool and spaci-
Gus. but scarcely coy. AS Liddy and
| went from one window to another,
our voices echoed back at us uncom-
fortably. There was plenty of light
the electric plant down In the village
supplied us-but there were long Wis
tas Of polished floor. and mirrors
which reflected us from unexpected
corners, until / felt some of Liddy's
foolishness communicate itself to me.
The house was very long. a rectan-
gle In general form, with the main en-
trance In the center Of the long side.