South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-03-26
BY MABEL HERBERT URNER.

1 before. and in one place there was a
distinct yellow scOrch. And Della
was an excellent ironer.
For a long time Helen stood by the
! bureau meditatively thrusting a hat
] pin into the pin cushion. She was
/ thinking very hard or she would not
have Scared the blue satin top OF the
cushion with so many gaping pin
holes.
At last, with a final thrust. she left
the hat pin stuck at a defiant angle
in the cushion. Then she went into
the kitchen.
Della. there is something I want
70 say TO you. I'm afraid you've been
here too long. You haven't seemed
very happy in your work lately. Now
if you are not happy, If you are not
content don't want you TO stay. I
don't want any n 20 work for me
who does not work willingly and
pleasantly"
HeIen's UItimatum.
Here Helen paused, but Della, who
had lot looked up since h entered,
went on ironing. with her eyes still
glued to the board. The brick-red
flush was even deeper, but she said
not a word.
Your month is up next wednesday.
Della, a week from tomorrow. Now
/ want you TO think things over. and
If before that time you have not de-
cided that you a work without in
dulging in these sullen fits, hen 1
think you had better get another
place"
Il have put up with this for almost
two years, just because you are in so
many way a good girl. But lately it
is getting on my nerves more han it
used to. Perhaps you need a change.
90 have caf1 hafnra Uan
have been here too long, and you
might be happier in another place.
Now. that is what we must decide be-
fore the first of the month. If by
that time you have not shown any
desire to conquer this sullenness then
/ shall certainly not want YOU TO
stay"
1t was one Of the longest speeches
that Helen had ever made, and when
she closed the kitchen door after her
and went back into her room she sank
into a low chair to think it over.
But her meditations were interrupt
ed by the telephone. II was Mrs.
Stevens, who wanted her to come UP
for luncheon and then TO go shopping,
Helen had planned TO unpack some
summer clothes that afternoon, but
m realized how hard it would be 10
work just after this talk with Della.
1t would be much better for her to
go out and leave Della to think things
over.
Ordinarily Helen would have thor
Oughly enjoyed the luncheon and the
afternoon with Mrs. Stevens, but now
her enjoyment was somewhat clouded
by her thoughts of Della.
Anxious Moments.
She felt herself weakening. She
pictured the procession of ignorant,
clumsy and untidy girls that she
might have 10 try before she could
find any one so trustworthy as Della.
n almost began 10 wish that she
hadn't insisted on the ironing of the
skirt. Perhaps. while Della had this
sullen fit, she should have left her
alone.
1t was with a little anxiety that
Helen returned home a few minutes
before five. The first thing she saw
was the white skirt on her bed. II
had been re-washed and re-ironed-
and beautifully irOned! The yellow
scOrch was entirely out, and the lace
carefully mended.
PROFESSIONALLY this was a surrender.
But Helen's satisfaction il her victory
was tempered by her sympathy for
Della n her desire TO max the sur
render as easy as possible. 1t would
be kinder. she decided. to make no
reference to the skirt just now, to act
as if nothing had happened and then
to show her appreciation later on in
some other way
With a are delicacy and under
standing, Helen did not even go into
the kitchen until il was necessary tc
give some Instructions for dinner
When she entered Della was washing
q head of lettuce.
There amt enough tomatoes FOL
the salad ma'am-wul l hard-boiI
some eggs There was no tinge OF
~sullenness in her voice. but there was
a suspicious huskiness which comes
after tears.
Why. yes, Della. and you might
make an egg dressing-you make that
very nicely And she went on tC
give some directions about the dinner
trying 10 speak as naturally as she
could.
While Della kept her head bowed
over the lettuce, Helen knew it was
not ~sullenness. but a desire 10 hide the
traces of tears.
Helen's own eyes were misty as she
went back TO fold up and put away the
skirt. And she resolved that next
week Della should have an extra after
noon off and a ticket 10 the matinee.