The Forrest City times., 1914-02-06


 mel"
 Oh, well, if you're saint, starve!" hissed the woman.
 T should rather starve ten thousand times than take help from you" said the girl, and her clear, mortified eyes seemed to burn into the woman's evil face. She turned and slid away, like the willy old serpent that she was
 Down the stairs like lightning sped the girl. her head up in pride and horror, her eyes still flashing And down the stairs after her sped the lit- tle' anxious woman, panting and breathless, determined to keep her iq sight till she could decide whether tt was safe to take girl without a char acter yet who had just shown a bit Of her character unaware.
 Two blocks from the employment of dee the girl paused to realize that she was walking blindly. without any de5- tination. She was trembling so with terror that she was not sure whether she had the courage to enter another office, and a 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, a cold chill of fear coming over her. Was this woman detective?
 T heard what that awful woman said to you, and saw how you acted You must be q good girl, or you wouldn't have talked 10 her that way suppose I'm doing a dangerous thing, but l cant help it. believe you're all right, and I'm going to try you, if you'll take general housework l need somebody right away, for I'm going to have a 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!" she said as she brushed the tears away. Pm a stranger here. and I 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. l never did it, and l wouldn't know how
 T could help you with your dinner party, she went on. That is, l know all about setting the tables and arrang- n hn paint the place-cards. too-Ive dope it many time. And | could wait on the table. But couldn't cook even sn oyster"
 "Oh. plaee-cards, said the little woman, her eyes frightening She caught at the word as though she had described a new star in the Armament T wish l could have them. They cost 90 much to buy I might have my Washcrwoman come and help with the cooking She cooks pretty well and could help her beforehand but she couldn't wait on table. 10 save her life 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 knoH about that? You see I have this very particular company coming, and I want to have things nice. don't know them Very well My husband has business relations with thom aDd wants them invited. and of all times for Betty to leave this was the worsti" She hal unconsciously fallen into a tone of equality with the strange girl
 "l should like to help you" said the girl but I must find somewhere to stay before night, and if find a place l must take it. just came to the city this morning. and have nowhere to stay overnight"
 The troubled look fitted across the Womau's face for a moment, but hei desire got the better of her
 ITO BE CONTINUED