The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1916-07-12
"A Student OF
Languages
For the Purpose of a
Sojourn Abroad
By LOUISE B. CUMMINGS

I shall 90 first to Italy, then to Swift
zerland, then to France. snail get
on very we'll in France. because L nave
learned to speak the language III talk
ing with you. l have been studying
Italian, but In order to converse In
that language l need practice In 1t such
as l have had with you IN French. l
am thinking Of getting another maid
for that purpose. Not to Interfere
with you, she will have the care or my
wardrobe and wait upon me when you
are otherwise engaged
will you give her the care OF your
Jewels, madame?'
"Not at all. You will remain In
charge of them. 1 have perfect conf
dence in YOU and would not think or
intrusting them to the care of any one
else"
This announcement was to prepare
Lizette for the coming OF one she
might otherwise think was Intended
to take her place Mrs. Darlington ap-
piled to her Italian teacher to furnish
her with a woman who would accept
q maids place, but who could speak
Italian more correctly than one usually
occupying a mental position. He prom
ised Mrs. Darlington to interest him
self in the matter.
In due time young woman appear
ed with a note from Signor Speretti.
the Italian teacher, introducing her
and youching for the correctness with
which she spoke the Italian language.
Her name was Blanca 'Morelli. She
seemed rather younger than the age
she gave, which was twenty-five, not
appearing to be more than eighteen.
Instead of having the black hair ana
eyes usual to Italians, she was
blond. Since Mrs. Darlington needed
her to converse with and Signor Spe-
retti vouched for her pronunciation and
general knowledge Of the Italian Ian
guage she was engaged.
Indeed, Blanca was found not to be
Of much use for any purpose except
that for which she was especially need
ed. She had nothing to do with her
mistress toilet: that was attended to
by Lizette, but when called upon tC
bring some article of clothing she man
ifested q singular obtuSeneSs. On one
occasion when told to bring a tea
gown she brought bath robe. On an
other, when the Italian was called
upon for a brassiere. she handed In a
brush and comb.
Lizette laughed at the girl for bel
stupidity, but her mistress believed
that Blanca had not been brought w
with we'll to do women. She had
doubtless associated with those who
wore only the plainest clothing. But
Mrs. Darlington could not understand
! If this had been her condition. how she
could speak the language of a vel
bred person. Blanca explained by say
| ing that she had never had sister
that her parents. though they had beer
well to do persons, during their child
hood and youth could not give her the
variety Of dress enjoyed by other girls
of her class.
Blanca had not been long in the
house before her mistress began to no
Hce that the relations between her two
maids had changed. LiZette had at
first rather patroniZed Blanca. sympa-
thizing with her stupidity as to her
duties and inStructing her in them. All
Of q sudden her manner toward her
fellow servant changed. The freedom
with which she had treated her disap-
peared and was replaced by reserve.
Then, too, she was ut times inclined to
speak harshly to the Italian, while at
other times she would seem singularly
complacent.
/ Mrs Darlington one day spoke to
Lizette about this change.
"Lizette," she said, Il know the diff
f1culties Of servant; constantly under
the same roof getting on with each
other, but do hope that you and Bian-
ca will not disagree. l am rapidly be-
coming able to give her orders and
understand what she says to me In
Italian. Now, If you and Blanca quar-
rel I shall have to send her away
and that will be the end Of my prac-
tice in Italian. Try to get on with
/ her for the few months that remain
before we 60 abroad"
I This brought no explanation Of the
did not admit that there was any Ill
feeling on her part for Blanca, and she
did not deny that there was. She was
doing" her mistress hair when the
subject was preached and went on
brushing the glossy locks without a
word. But Mrs. Darlington saw by a
reflection in a mirror before her that
her maid was perturbed by what she
had said and was evidently concealing
something.
Mrs. Darlington was more interested
In keeping her two maids on amicable
terms than in ferreting out the cause
Of this singular change that had come
between them. Nevertheless she no
hced that Blanca seemed to have an
influence over Lizette. On one occa
sion, when the mistress had called Ii
gette without getting a reply, she
went to the servants quarters to see
what was the matter. Opening door
without warning, she came upon the
two maids in earnest conversation.
The French girl was talking rapidly
and gesticulating; the Italian was I'M
ru6hed and listening to what the other
was saying.
'Lizette." said the mistress, 81 have
been calling you for some time"
Eyes, madame. l didn't hear you.
madame"
Mrs. Darlington returned to her
room, followed by Lizette. AS soon as
they were alone together the mistress
said
"Lizette, of course what goes on be-
tween you and Blanca does not neces
sarily concern ne, but | don't want
any mystery in my house. Though I
want Blanca for practice In speaking
Italian, Will send her away at once
II she is interfering In any way with
my domestic arrangements.
"She does not interfere, madame"
was the almost inaudible reply.
Mrs. Darlington was puzzled. She
said no more. but kept up good deal
of thinking about this strange status