Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-11-12

tossed aside and looked 1t over. "She
writes: Dear Miss Gertie-I am so sorry
I cannot come to help at your party to-
morrow afternoon, but my sister Is hav-
ing birthday that 1 did not know Of
when I promised your ma to come to
wait table for her. Sincerely your serv-
ant, HANNAH"
We'll, we'll have to get on some how.
dearie," said Mrs. James. And to think
that you have invited twenty girls!
Mercy, how will we ever get through
the ordeal? Not a soul to assist u.s."
And Mrs James looked despairingly at
her daughter.
Just then there came ring at the
door bell. and when Gerie opened the
door there beamed the genial face Of her
young cousin, Tom Smith. Hello. Kid
diev" cried Tom. How be your
I'm the deepest sort Of dilemma" de-
clared Gertie, leading Tom into the liv-
ing room, where her mother sat sewing.
I'm having bushel OF trouble. cousin"
"Ah-ha. trouble. say you?" laughed
Come. let me be your confessor. Hello.
Aunt Sue! You In trouble, too?'
Mrs James looked UP. smiling at her
favorite nephew. Eyes. Tom. dear.
mother Always shares the truobles Of her
children. And just now Gertie is greatly
worried. She's giving little tea tomor-
row afternoon and Hannah has failed us.
A letter just came from her in which she
says she cannot come to assist us tomor-
row. You know, I do not engage her
regularly. for Mamie is so proficient that
II can do nicely without an additional
servant. But tomorrow will be such
busy day that we'll need the services
Of a second servant-some one to wait
on the table. You know Mamie will be
kept in the kitchen and we had ex,
pected Hannah to serve at the door and
in the dining room. Now. Tom, you have
the grievance of this family in a few
words" And Mrs. James tried hard to
look serious.
I'm a cup of tea. so to speak," grinned
Tom well, 1 think I might solve the
problem Of your dtnculties." he said.
throwing himself on the couch. I'm take
it upon myself to get you good waitress
for tomorrow afternoon"
But Tom. where can you find re-
liable one on such short notice?" asked
Mrs. James, bit uncertain.
ASK me no questions, auntie. and III
not prevaricate." said Tom. But you'll
you. My servant will be first-class."
tom. you're a GEM" vowed Gertie.
Bring along your parlor maid and I'll
be your debtor for life. This tea 1 am
giving tomorrow AFTERNOON must De sue
oessful And 1 shall look to you to help
me out"
.It shall be done. my lady," declared
Tom. "And I shall see that your parlor
maid is here at the hour you name"
THE tea is to take place between 3
maid would better come at haif-past l,
so that may explain fully her duties
to her.
shell be here on the moment" prom
ised Tom. And now ta-ta till tomor-
row. / must away and find me maid"
And before Mrs. James or Gertie could
thank him for his promised assistance
he was off down the street at a rapid
stride.
SO great burden was lifted from Mrs.
James and Gertie's shoulders, and they
planned for the morrow with light
hearts. A maid would be there on time
to attend the door and to serve In the
dining room. Tom had given his word
that such would be the case.
The following day, at exactly half-past
1 o'clock the side door bell rang. and
when Mrs. James responded she was
greeted by young woman with.
"Hoddy. ma am. Are you Mrs James?
assist you this afternoon at tea your
daughter is giving. May l come In ana
pass the examination"
"Oh, you come from my nephew.
please come right in. You are on time
to the minute. AS Mrs. James led the
girl into the living room she kept pom
dering in her mind as to where she had
looked SO familiar and her voice sounded
like one that she knew very well. Still.
she could not place the maid In her men,
Dry Once in the sitting room Mrs. James
lyad
her name .'Oh. haven't told you my
name?" inquired the maid. Well call
me Hannah. please.
We'll. Hannah, you may go to the
kitchen and Mamie will show you to her
room, where you may lay aside your
Jacket and hat and put on your apron
and cap. Then please join me in the
parlor"
The maid bowed and withdrew to the
kitchen. After she had gone Gertie stuck
her head in at the sitting room door.
CRYING out to her mother: did I hear
Toms voice there. Mammal?
NO, dear; 1t was the new maid sent by
Tom" explained Mrs. James. by the
way, her voice did sound bit like Toms
-as much as a girls could sound like
boys That was the thing that struck
me as peculiar, though till this moment
/ could not think whom the girl was like
or whose voice hers sounded like. But,
dear;e. hurry with your dressing The
guests will arrive before you are ready
for them, fear. Run along quickly. III
come TO hook you up In minute. AS
soon as see that the new maid Is
stationed at the ball door l shall come
right up :,
When the clock struck Q the doorbeli
rang and the new maid admitted several
guests and directed them to the guests
he