Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1915-04-23
By MABEL HERBERT URNEK

I IL was nora, uuuuAeu against the
chimney, her head on ner arms.
why, Nora, what are you doing ur
here in the rain?"
No answer except a choking sob.
You'll be SICK" Helen shook hel
lightly; her thin waist was damp.
81 don't care" sobbingly.
"Well, l do. can't afford to have
you sick on my hands,"
The heartlessness of this remark
struck Helen, but it had its effect. I,
checked Nora's emotionalism. With
out word she rose and started down
Determinedly Helen followed her Ia
her room.
Mora, you're not happy here. You
say your mother wants you to come
back to Ireland-now. why don't YOU
go?"
Helen was not prepared for the
storm Of tears that followed.
Hush, Nora, hush!" sternly.
They'll hear you outside. II YOU
won't go back home, then why don't
you get another place where you'll
have only chamber work? You'd like
that better. I'm sure"
Gradually Nora sobbed out that she
didn't want another place, that she
had heard what they said about the
fifteenth. but that she wanted to stay.
Helen, helpless before this hysteri.
cal outburst. finally promised to give
her another months trial, another
chance to conquer her sullenness.
Reassured by this, Nora Quieted
down, but Helen left her with vague
misgivings. Already she half regret
ted her promise.
Where in the deuce have you
been" demanded Warren.
with Nora. I told you she over.
heard US at dinner" Then, resigned.
ly. I've promised to give her anoth-
er months trial.
For the love Of Mike! That makes
how many times you've discharged and
taken her back?"
only once before, dear. And this
time. If she doesn't improve-sheIl
have to go. I told her that distinctly"
well. by Jingo," STOPPING for his
paper with q disdainful shrug, that
girls got your number. She can work
you to the limit"
Absently. Helen tidied her work.
basket wound up the spools, and
thrust pins and needles into the
strawberry cushion. Warren was
right, Nora did impose on her. No
one else would put up with her sui
len obstinacy. Why had she prom
ised to keep her? For the moment
her resentment against Nora hard
ened into q positive dislike.
Mechanically she opened q tightly
folded envelope and poured into her
hand some bullet-like pearl buttons.
Where had they come from? They
had been on that old silk waist she
had given Nora for q dust cloth. and
Nora had carefully cut them OF and
put them here.
They were q mute testimony of
Nora's loyalty and economy. She was
always doing just such things. No
other girl ever worked 30 whole
heartedly for their interest.
And 1t was only lately that she
had begun to slight her work. She
had said she was not well; perhaps
she was tired. overworked. She had
been with them over year without
a days rest or change.
Slowly. thoughtfully. Helen put back
the buttons. refolded the envelope.
then turned to Warren with an abrupt:
Dear. how long has Miss Middleton
been with your"
Bout q year. Why?"
You're going to give her vacation
this summer"
Sure. Two weeks this month
Why?"
Nothing. I was just wondering"
The stenographer would get her va
cation, that was taken for granted.
Why not the servant? Her hours
were longer and her work more mo-
notonous. No wonder Nora was grow
ing sullen and irritable. She was never
away from that kitchen or her little
room adjoining It,
Warren, about how much does 1t
cost to go to some nearby seashore
for q week? mean for someone who
has to 90 cheaply. Not to big hotel.
but Just to q cheap boarding house?"
"What're you driving at, anyway?
Miss Middleton can engineer her own
vacation
Il wasn't thinking of Miss Middle
ton," musingly. Then. with sudden
briskness, Dear. do you know it's
after twelve-and we were up so late
last night. Shall turn on your bath?"