The Holly chieftain., 1914-08-07
CHAPTER W.-contInued. .


CHAPTER W.-Continued. -
Il suppose my husband would think
was crazy to do it," she said aloud.
but | 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 II 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 recommenda-
ton ought to be worth q couple Of
days work to you. I'd pay you some
thing besides. but l really can't afford
1t, for the washerwoman charges
dollar and half day when she goes
out to cook; but II you get your board
and lodging and a reference, that
ought to pay you"
You are very kind" said the girl.
II shall be glad to do that"
And SO they got into car and were
whtrled away into pretty suburb.
The woman. whose name was Mrs.
Hart. lived in common little house
filed with Imitation oriental rugs and
cheap furniture.
The two went to work at once,
bringing order out Of the confusion
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 q skilled hand. The long
hours that Mrs. Hart had spent puck
ering her brow over the household de-
partment Of fashion magazines helped
her to recognize the fact that in her
new maid she had what she was pleas
ed to call "the real thing"
She sighed regretfully when the
guest of honor. Mrs. Rhinehart, spoke
of the deftness and pleasant appear
ance of her hostess's waitress
Yes" Mrs. Hart said, swelling with
pride, "she is treasure. only wish
l could keep her."
She's going to get married, I sup
pose, They all do when they're good"
sympathized the guest
No. but she simply won't do cook
ing. and | really haven't work enough
for two servants in this little house"
The guest sat up and took notice.
You don't mean to tell me that you
are letting girl like that slip through
your fingers? I wish had known
about her. have spent three days In
Intelligence Offices Is there any
chance for me. do you Think"
Then did the little woman prove
that she should have had an 9 in her
uble account of the virtues of her new
maid. until the other woman was ready
to hire her on the spot. The result OF
It all was that MARY" was summoned
to au interview with Rhinehart in the
dining-room. and engaged at four dol
lars week. with every other Sunday
afternoon and every other Thursday
out. and her uniforms furnished.
The next morning MIR. Hart gave
her a dollar-bll and told her that he
appreciated the help she had given
them. and wanted to pay her some
thing for 1t.
She thanked him graciously and
took the money with a kind OF awe.
Her first earnings! 1t seemed so
strange to think that she had really
earned some money. she who had al
ways had all she wanted without lift.
ing finger.
She went to store and bought a
halr-brush and few little things that
she felt were necessities, with a fifty.
cent straw telescope In which to put
them. Thus. with her modest baggage.
she entered the home Of Mrs. Rhine
hare. and ascended to tiny room on
the fourth floor. in which were cot
and a washstand. cracked mirror.
one chair. and one window.