The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1913-08-30


ing the clock. It was half
past two and Warren had
said the new maid would be
there at ten. He had gone to the en-
ployment agency the day before and
had come home triumphant, said he
had secured a treasure"
And now Helen was impatiently
awaiting her coming. The breakfast
dishes were unwashed and the apart
ment in a state of confusion. She had
managed to give Warren a cup of cot
fee and a roll: but with the baby de-
manding attention she could do moth
ing more.
Eleven O'Clock and still no maid.
At half-past eleven, Helen went to the
telephone
1923 Cortland. Hello! I'd like to
speak to Mr.. Curtis. Yes, this is Mrs.
Curtis"
A moments wait.
"Oh, Warren, didn't you say she
promised to be here at ten? Well she
hasn't arrived yet. Are you sure she
got the right address? Did you write
it down for her yourself. Shall I? All
right, goodbye"
Then she took down the telephone
book and turned hurriedly to the Re-
hance Employment Bureau.
1850 Chelsea. Is that the Employ
ment Bureau"
psELEN GROWS IMPATIENT.
well, the maid my husband en-
gagged yesterday hasn't arrived"
m
Warren Curtis. Very we'll I'll hold the
phone" A long wait in which Helen
impatiently tore tiny strips from the
cover of the telephone book.
You can't? She hasn't been there
at all this morning? No, I don't want
you to send any one else-I want the
one my husband engaged You think
she may be here after lunch. Well, I'll
wait until then"
Helen Strengthened and busted the
bedroom, sitting room and nursery,
had her lunch of a glass of milk and
some crackers from a corner of the
table in the untdy kitchen-but still
NO maid.
Again she teIephoned to Warren,
and then again to the employment bu-
reau. They would be glad to send her
another maid, but they really couldn't
tell why the one her husband engaged
hadn't reached there. Helen still per-
sisted that she wanted no other-she
would wait little longer.
At half past three, when in despair
Helen was about to begin at the kitch-
en- herself. the door bell rang. tall
Irish girl with shaggy black furs and
an immense hat with a huge feather
confronted her.
ENTER DELLA o'DONoGHuE.
"Oh, are you the new MIDI"
I'm Della ODonoghue."
But | thought you were to come at
ten"
Il couldn't get here any sooner"
calmly, Offering no explanation as to
why she couldn't.
Helen led the way into the dining
room.
Il suppose you have references"
The girl took from her hand bag
several letters Helen glanced over
them. They were the same meaning
less letter of mendation that all
servants, no matter how incompetent,
manage to have. Before Helen rea-
lized it. she found that herself and not
the maid, was being questioned.
What afternoon does you give off,"
Usually Thursday
And every other Sunday"
Unless we have company, you can
get off at half-past three every Sun
day"
And there's no washin'?"
Except a few things for the baby
that | don't like to send to the aun-
dry"
We'll, if there's to be any washin',
I can't come for $50. | told your hus-
band that
But there will be very few things
our maid always did them-and We
have never paid more than 500
We'll, I'll see" condescendingly.
Helen wondered how Warren could
have engaged anyone with so asser-
tive manner. But she needed a maid
too desperately to be over-critical. So
she led the way to Annals tiny room
and told her to get into her working
dress.
BY five o'clock Della O'Donoghue
had washed all the dishes and put the
untidy kitchen in shining order I'm
questionably, she was a clean and
rapid worker. And from the way she
began her preparations for dinner,
she was evidently a good cook.
Just before Warren came, Helen
took out one of the little lace caps
that she always kept freshly launder-
ed for Anna.
You may have brought some of
your own but l always prefer to fur
nish the white aprons and caps to
nerve in"