Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-07-06

I
. course, were barred TO her She doubted
whether II was safe to approach tn,
hotel undissuised. A too obvious dis.
Ruise might prejudice the advertiser
: against her. and she did not, for the
same reason wish TO dlsnsure herself
After various essays before the glass
Z she had to content herself with doing her
hair In different fashion and tying on
a dark veil. lJot deemlnR these pre-
cautions sufficient. she purchased pince-
nez. which with some dihlculty she sue
ceedod at last IN keeping on her nose.
She travelled by tube as far as Tottenham
Court road and took cab to the door OF
the hotel
on asking the hall porter for Miss
Montana, she was shown into tiny
lobby, With half-open door at the far
end. Her heart sank. Half dozen other
women were present, and all were looking
expectantly toward that door. There was
as much competition as she had feared !
She ookod at her rivals and Immediately
decided that most Of them wanted the
! job more than she did.
one or two OF them seemed to have in
terpreted the advertisers expression
young lady" in very liberal spirit. Two
were plainly poor governesses. another
was a fresh young girl whom Maud sus-
pocted to have come straight from n
| country vicarage, another Maud felt in
| stinctively was some sort of adventures
! mt all events not a nice person. She
\ was endeavoring to place the others, when
| the inner door opened and a girl came
| out and left the lobby, and another ap.
plicant instantly went into the adver.
| tieer's presence.
In less than two minutes she also
made her way out. Mauds hopes failed
her as she noted the rapidity with which
her successors were dismissed. Half
dozen more women had been shown into
the lobby. 1t was her turn now. Snatch
Ing on her pince-nez and raising her veil.
she walked into the room with a height
ened color and beating heart.
She found herself I'm a comfortably fur
nshed sitting room. which was regularly,
she supposed, let for more or less official
and business purposes In an armchair
was seated a girl of Il or 49, with the
darkest eyes Maud had even seen She
had hitherto considered her mother the
most extensively dressed person It was
possible to meet; but at a rapid glance
she decided that Miss Montana wouH
startle even Mrs. Plesseys maid by the
style and quality OF her general get-up.
Miss Montana looked at her with
curiously close scrutiny "Er-who are
you?" she inquired with a faint American
accent.
Miss Robinson All, / guessed So"
Maud heard a slight noise behind her.
She glanced over her shoulder and be- |
came for the first time aware of a man
who was sitting at a desk with his back
toward her. intently studying news !
paper.
1t seemed to her that the American girl |
was endeavoring to attract this mans |
attention or that she had just exchanged |
some signal with him. Turning her eyes /
toward the applicant she said, "Ah, yes,
Miss Robinson. Please sit down"
Gba fall
the man at the desk spoke to him in a low |
tone. Maud felt that they were looking |
at her Then Miss Montana came back to
her chair. Maud's letter in her hand.
What university do you belong tor
she asked abruptly.
Saint" began Maud startled: then
realizing her mistake. she checked the
words on her lips and went on IT have
studied at different universities, but 1 am
unable to produce a diploma 1 think
mentioned that in my letter"
''Yes, that's quite correct" said the
girl. MAUD was sure she was being
prompted by the man at the desk.) you
have Travelled good deal?'
practically all over Europe. Also in
Egypt and Morocco"
Yes. l see. And you speak Spanish
Tell me. Miss Robinson, what-er-you
have been doing lateiy7 Have you had
any previous experience7 Can you pro-
duce any testimonials?"
Maud flushed. 81 rather thought those
were not required. i may as we'll say at
once. Miss Montana, that | cannot pro-
duce any testimonials. The fact isl
had better be frank with you'll have left
home owing to q quarrel with my guar
dian. have no friends to whom I
should care 10 refer you" She
rose. Il feel IL was silly OF me to apply.
Perhaps had better not detain you
longer"
The Jewish-IoolSing girl laid her thin
white hand on her arm. "Oh. please
don't gol I think, on the contrary. I'm
sure that you will suit. Do you think
you would get on with me? You would
to receive my friends. and 30 forth. You
can drive a car, hope?"
"oh. yes"
'I live at Hampstead. Miss-er-Robin-
son. Do you know any people at Hamp-
stead?"
"I don't think So"
do you know any people called
Dereve?'
mo; why do you ask2"
The girls smile wore an unaccountabIe
smile OF triumph. That's my name
that's all! / asked you in the hope that
our fame might have reached your ears.
Kind OF vanity. that's am
I'm sorry," said Maud, penltently
"Of course I ought to have said yes"
"Oh. that doesn't matter at all" The
girl looked over her shoulder at the
man "Win you please tell the ladies
outside that I'm suitedP shs said.
The man rose and sidled out OF the
room. Maud could not see his face. She
wondered II he was a relation of the
American girl; he might be her secre-
tary. She was surprised that he did not
return.
We'll. now. Miss Robinson" said Miss
Dereve. smiling down at her new ao-
luaintance. "can you come with me right
now?"
Right noww Maud was startled. But
you don't know anything about mel"
We'll. you say you can't give me any
so there's no sense IN watt
Ing. And ! can see that you are a real
nice girl Do you know 1 think We are
rather like each otherT'
Seeing that Maud was OF unmistak kably
Anglo-SaNon type, tall and deep-chssted.
and that Montana Dereys was obviously
half a Semitic. sligat and small, the like
ness between them might not have im-
pressed the casual observer. yet there was
something IN the expression OF both,
In the manner OF their move
menta. that made tnem curiously akin.
Maud saw this and wondered at Il.
Il really think we are" she laughed.
I'm sure I'm very glad"