Judsonia weekly advance., 1915-07-07

what I found in her roomi"
 "Eh, what's that?" irascibly, glaring over his paper.
 q knew she took lot of narrow ribbon-but I didn't know she took this! She had it hidden in the bottom of her closet! Now do you want me to keep herr"
 Who said I wanted you to keep her? All want is to be let alone!"
 Wrought up to a feverish indigna- tion 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 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! I'd like to speak to you about maid, Emma Anderson. I believe she had a ref erence from your"
 "Yes, I gave her reference" in a questioning voice.
 And I think you said she was hon. est Well, I'm sorry to say haven't found her so-that is in small things"
 Was it ribbons?" laughingly.
 ''Why-how do you know?"
 That was Emma's weakness. She would take ribbons to run in her un- 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 q year and I trusted her with every thing. I consider her very good girl, and I didn't hesitate to give her reference. You know most of them have worse faults than"
 t3Yes, I know" murmured Helen, "only l 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 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, Now I know what I'll dol I'll give her another chance. I'll put this piece back, and when she comes in I'll ask her If 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. It was ten now, and she rarely stayed out after half past
 While she waited, Helen rehearsedl just what she would say. She would not seem angry or excited but if Emma insisted that there was noe more ribbon in her room, then she would go 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 a clos ing door-Emma had come in.
 Resolutely Helen went out to her transom was open, and she could hear the girl humming, and talking to Pussy Purr-Mew.
 ''Is Pussy hungry?" A faint, an- swefing "mew" Docs Pussy want some milk?"
 Helen drew back into the dark as Emma's door opened with a flood of light. She was going out to the kitchen for the milk, still talking to- Pussy Purr-Mew in her cooing, girl-- ish way.
 Standing irresolutely in the dark ened dining room, Helen thought of what Mrs. Lewison had said-that the girl was young and vain and had a weakness for ribbons, but that she was absolutely honest about every thing else. Somehow Helen's indig- nation and resentment were waning.
 She thought, too, of the trouble and worry of breaking in another girl, who might have worse faults and more of them. Might 1t not be easier to simply lock up her ribbons and say nothing?
 Another moment of indecfsion, and Helen noiselesly left the dining room.
 Well, how about it?" demanded Warren, when she came back and took up the magazine with an effac- ing, uncommunicative air Did she. own up?"
 T didn't ask her. I-Ithought I'd let 1t go this time."
 "pntorod mt ohS Kfckod up a duof.