The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-05-06
BY JANE OSBORN.

copyright. 1911. by Associated
Literary Press.)
Jerome Dawson had spent the
evening at the club. Not that Jerome
usually preferred the smoke laden
air OF the club lounge 10 the seelu
sion OF his own small apartment, but
Mrs Dawson had n new maid. and
from experience Jerome knew that
when his mother had a new maid she
could neither think nor talk Of any
thing else. And as there vas no
SUBJECT that bored Jerome quite so
much rs a discussion of the various
shortcomings and ptcul'arlties of his
mothers servants, he had decided 70
he away from home this nFAt evening
OF the new regime.
jerome had not intended 10 stay
oat late but the click was striking
ono when he deity turned the latch
KEY In his front door. He ~as sur
Itfisesi to see a light in his mothers
small drawing room.
Jerome, whispered his nnthe r
with an air OF alarm. as he came into
tb& room, sac has real lace On her
petticosts,"
Jerome looked hlsnkiy al his
mother. pointing in the direction of
the kitchen. with t;s adjoining box
of maids room. Katy, the new
maid, | never look through theu
luggage. but ] do like to take a look
At the room when they first come.
1ust TO see ;hat they are neat That
is how ] came 10 see the real lace
Jerome. you couldn't get that iact
for three dollars a yard. | am sure
ii was real"
she probably had It given to her
by her las, mistress. said Jeroriie
starting toward the door.
Walt. Jerome went on Mrs Daw-
Fon, OBTAINING him. ''she couldn't
have done that for she never had @
place before The employment agent
said she had come straight from tn,
country. and | must Say she is aw-
fully green. She didn't know a thins
about the dumb waiter and l don't
believe she ever used a carpet sweeper
before In her life. | meant 10 speak
to yeu about her. hui you ran off Il
the club before / had chance.
Didnt you think she had strange
look, at dinner 2"
NO" said Jerome. not In the Ieas,
Interested hat are yea afraid ut,
rnothers" he asked. anxious to close
the discussion. Think she stole tn.
lace somewhere
'HeayenSi" .Easped Mrs. Dawson
Gould she have stolen III To think
they would have sent me a girl like
that---and all the old silver out"
M II MAS not until this neAt maEnlrg
at breakfast that Jerome again
thought OF Katy, His mother, as was
her custom. did not joint him al
breakfast. ard from the top OF his
paper Jerome eyed cariousiy the
graceful figure ministertnE to him
Assuredly there was something I'M
usual about this girl. Was II the
look of sadness or pensiveness about
those gentle eyes. or the sensitive
delieaey OF the mouth and chin?
So far In fact did Jeromes curl
oaitv lead him that he asked hi'
mother impatiently that night II shs
had found anything new about thu
pretty Katy. But Mrs. Dawson!
suspicious had subsidized. She has
asked about the real lace and has
found out that II had been given q
her, at least that In what Mrs. Daw
son understood from what Katy said
She seemed embarrassed when Mira
Dawson asked about It, and was quite
ignorant Of the value of tho material
she IL not ut all used to our wa.
of doing things said Mrs Dawson
but ! think she will do very nicely.
Jerome Dawson was thirty. and I
man of more than ordinary goot
sense. SO when he found himself In
c!inod 10 linger over his breakfast
and call for an extra cup OF cone'
Just to watch katys graceful nKur'
and to catch an occasional glimpse q
her eyes, he began to feel concern TO
himself What difference was II Z
him. he asked himself whethe
katy's Good incoming, Sir showe'
a touch Of WEAKNESS?
Before many days had passed Je