Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1915-07-08

over his paper.
81 knew she took a lot Of narrow
ribbon-but ! didn't know she tool
this! She had II hidden in the bottom
OF her closet! Now do you want me
to keep herr"
Who said I wanted you to keeT
her? All want is to be let alone!"
Wrought up to a feverish indigna
ton. Helen could hardly wait until
Emma returned. She would tell her
tonight that when her month was up
she would have to go. Why, the girl
was brazen-absolutely brazen.
And she had come with q reference
for honesty! That showed how little
reference meant. Helen was walk.
ing excitedly up and down.
you know what I'm going to dol"
tempestuously, again confronting
Warren. I'm going to call up
Emma's reference right now and ask
what she meant by saying the girl
was honest!"
Go ahead! Whoop It up" with
aggravating unconcern.
A hurried search through her desk.
and Helen found the address-Mrs.
Lewison. Lenox STA.
A moment later she had Mrs. Levi
son on the phone,
This is Mrs. Curtis! Id like to
speak to you about a maid. Emma
Anderson. I believe she had a ref.
erence from you?"
Yes, l gave her a reference in
questioning voice.
And think you said she was hon.
est. Well. lin sorry to say
haven't found her so-that is in small
things"
Was It ribbons?" Iaughingly.
"Why-how do you know"
That was Emma's weakness. She
would take ribbons to run in her I'M
derwear-but as long as she was with
me she never took anything else"
Then you think she can be trusted
with the silver and other"
Absolutely. She was here over a
year and trusted her with every
thing l consider her very good girl,
and l didn't hesitate to give her a
reference. You know most Of them
have worse faults than"
Eyes, know" murmured Helen,
'only wanted to be sure"
When she hung up the receiver she
turned to Warren with a puzzled,
Dear. she says it's only ribbons! The
girl has a mania for ribbons, but
she's really honest in every other
way"
Why in blazes don't you give her
some ribbon-if that's all she wants"
But she was so untruthful about
It," unheedingly. "She insisted the
ribbon was hers!" Then, with sudden
intensity, Nov ! know what I'll do!
I'll give her another chance. I'll put
this piece back, and when she comes
in I'll ask her II she's sure she re-
turned It ALL"
With deliberate care Helen put the
ribbon back under the bundle Of
clothes in Emma's closet, then left
the hall door open so she could hear
her come in. II was ten now. and
she rarely stayed out after half past.
While she waited, Helen rehearsed
Just what she would say. She would
not seem angry or excited, but II
Emma insisted that there was no
more ribbon in her room, then she
would 60 straight to the closet and
lift up the bundle OF clothes. With
a grim satisfaction she pictured this
scene and the girls confusion.
At last came the sound Of clos
ing door-Emma had come in.
Resolutely Helen went out to her
room. At the door she hesitated. The
transom was open, and she could hear
the girl humming, and talking to
Pussy Purr-Mew.
as Pussy hungry" A faint, an
swering NEW" Does Pussy want
some MILK"
Helen drew back into the dark as
Emma's door opened with flood OF
light She was going out to the
kitchen for the milk. still talking to
Pussy Purr-Mew in her cooling, girl
ish way.
Standing irresolutely in the dark
ened dining room, Helen thought Of
what Mrs. Lewiston had said-that the
girl was young and vain and had
weakness for ribbons, but that she
was absolutely honest about every
thing else. Somehow Helen's indig-
nation and resentment we're waning.
She thought, too. Of the trouble and
worry Of breaking in another girl,
who might have worse faults and
more Of them. Might It not be easier
to simply lock up her ribbons and say
nothing?
Another moment Of indecision. and
Helen noiselesly left the dining
room.
We'll, how about IT." demanded
Warren, when she came back and
took up the magazine with an effac-
ing, uncommunicatiVe air. Did she
own up?"
II didn't ask her. I-Ithought I'd
let It 60 this time"
"Petered out. chi Kicked up q dust
.hc,,k vckkIu-g nlwa fka rfrl nOVVaa