The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1915-09-24

Urner. For second
Helen was tempt
ed to rush to the door, fling 1t open
and confront Emma with her lie. But
with the Stevenses coming to dinner,
It was not an opportune time for
\ scene
Besides, Emma'B month was up
the goth, and Helen had already told
der to look for another place.
She could not longer put up with her
untruthfulness, her furtiveness and
her intimacy with the Gordons'
maid.
The mayonnaise, beaten to a
creamy smoothness, Helen now put
IN the ice; gave a few adjusting
touches to the sidebOard and table,
and went In to dress. Knowing it
would take several weeks to break
IN a new girl. she was having the
Stevenses before Emma left.
She had taken down her hair when
she thought OF the egg for the salad.
Last time it had not been hard enough
the yolk was gluey.
Emma" running back to the
Kitchen, but the only answering
sound was the gurgle of the boiling
potatoes. Emma was not there!
Was she over with the Gordons'
maid again? Helen opened the door
and rang furiously their kitchen bell,
which could be heard across the hall.
Emma" as the girl came sheep
ishly out, cant you stay in your
own kitchen long enough to get din
ner?~
Il Just wanted to take back q lem
on borrowed" with evasive eyes.
How many times have / told you
not to borrow of the Gordons? When
did you need lemon? We always
have lemons"
oh, 1t was last week, when-when
We had that salmon.
Emma's glib lies were ever ready.
With an effort Helen let this one pass,
told her curtly about the egg. and
went back to her room.
Sitting on the floor to put on her
slippers. she was startled by an ex-
plosion that sounded alarminely
near. But. as no commotion followed
she decided it was bursting tire in
the street below.
A few moments later the doorbell
rang. 1t couldn not be the Stevenses
1T was only halfpast ski Even |
Warren had not come yet.
Again the bell, q clamorous peal. |
Where was Emma? Why did she
not answer It? Had she dared to 60 I
over to the Gordons' again?
Throwing on a kimono, Helen ran
out to the hail. The Stevenses would
not ring like that! Standing back OF
the door, she opened it few inches.
glimpse of Emma's white apron
she had locked herself out!
Helen, furious, flung wide the
door. Then she saw that something
had happened There stood the Cor
dons maid, white as chalk. Emma.
her face covered with her hands, was
leaning tremblingly against the wall.
"Oh-oh, the oven!" she sobbed. 1T
1T exploded.'
That was what she had heardi
Helen flew out to the kitchen. ex-
oecting to see 1t in flames, but there
Vas only dense smoke AMI sitting
smell OF gas. She flung up the win
low. turned on the still escaping gas,
Ind ran back to Emma.
Her lRir's all scorched, ma am"
whispered the Gordon's maid.
Scorched! Helen had thought she
vas only frightened. Drawing her
o the light, she saw that her hair
vas badly singed
Why, Emma" taking the girls
lands from her face, and your eve
rows, too! Oh. I'm SO sorry. Wait"
Helen flew for the cold cream.
Here. rub this on--does it smart ,"
The girl nodded and rubbed the
ream on her soot-streaked face.
"Oh, she came runnin' out so scared I
he couldn't speak," the Gordons'
naid still clutching a tea towel ara {
late OF the Gordons best china. $
Il heard the explosion" admitted :
ielen, but / didn't dream it was in
ur kitchen. Warrenl" she called ex- 6
itedly. Come herein Emma $ room! {
he stove exploded" ,
without waiting to take off his over (
oat, Warren came rushing out. q
How'd this happen?" as he quick
Y examined the singed hair and eve
rows. Then, turning to Helen. !
We'd better have doctor here" I
oh, no, sir, I'm all right, | don't '
sed doctor" protested Emma. h
Il hardly think she does. dear" muir. h
1ured Helen, thinking of the expense. g
ct h"i'ng herself for IL. q