The Prescott daily news., 1914-01-13

terror that she was not sure whether
she had the courage to enter another
Office, and long vista Of undreamed-
of fears arose In her imagination.
The little woman paused, too, eye
ing the girl cautiously, then began in
an eager voice:
I've been following YOU
The girl started nervously. cold
chill of fear coming over her Was
this a woman detective?
II heard what that awful woman
said to you, and saw how you acted.
You must be good girl or you
wouldn't have talked to her that way.
! suppose I'm doing dangerous thing.
but l can't help 1t. ! believe you're
all right, and I'm going to try you, II
you'll take general homework. need
somebody right away, for I'm going
to have dinner party tomorrow
night, and my girl left me this morn
ing"
The kind tone In the midst Of her
troubles brought tears to the girls
eyes.
"Oh, thank you'll" she said as she
brushed the tears away. I'm
stranger here, and | have never be-
fore been among strangers this way
I'd like to come and work for you, but
/ couldn't do general housework, I'm
sure. never did 1t, and | wouldn't
know how.
Il could help you with your dinner
party" she went on. That is | know
all about setting the tables and arrang-
ing the flowers and favors. could
paint the place-cards, too-I've done
1t many time. And | could wait on
the table. But | couldn't cook even an
oyster"
"Oh, place-cards!' said the little
woman, her eyes Frightening She
caught at the word as though she had
described a new star in the armament
Il wish | could have them. They cost
SO much to buy. | might have my
washerwoman come and help with the
cooking. She cooks pretty well, and
could help her beforehand, but she
couldn't wait on table, to save her
life. l wonder if you know much about
menus. Could you help me fix out the
courses and say what you think ]
ought to have, or don't you know
about that? You see, have this very
particular company coming, and !
want to have things nice don't
know them very well Ny husband
has business relations with them and
wants them invited and Of all times
for Betty TO leave this was the worst
She had unconsciously fallen into
tone of equality with the strange girl.
Il should like TO help you" said the
girl, but l must find somewhere to
stay before night, and if find place
! must take It, just came to the
city this morning, and have nowhere
to stay overnight"
The troubled look fitted across the
woman's face for a moment. but her
desire got the better of her.
Il suppose my husband would think
/ was crazy to do it," she said aloud,
but l just can't help trusting you.
Suppose you come and stay with me
today and tomorrow, and help me out
with this dinner party, and you can
stay overnight at my house and sleep
in the cooks room. If | like your
work, I'll give you recommendation
as waitress. You can't get good
place anywhere without 1t, not from
the Offices, I'm sure. A recommends
ton ought to be worth a couple of
days work to you. I'd pay you some
thing besides, but really can't afford
dollar and half day when she goes
out to cook; but If you get your board
and lodging and a reference, that
ought to pay you"
you are very kind" said the girl
Il shall be glad to do that"
And 80 they got into a car and were
whirled away into a pretty suburb,
The woman, whose name was Mrs.
Hart. lived In a common little house
filled with imitation oriental rugs and
cheap furniture.
The two went to work at once,
that reigned in the tiny kitchen. In
the afternoon the would-be waitress
sat down with a box of water-colors
to paint dinner-cards, and as her skill
full brush brought into being dainty
landscapes, lovely flowers, and little
brown birds, she pondered the strange
ness Of her lot
The table the next night was laid
with exquisite care, the scant supply
of flowers having been used to best
advantage, and everything showing
the touch Of skilled hand The long