Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1917-12-26
AN INDEPENDENT GIRL
BY c. 3. LEWIS.

Etfe Rayl was trimming and tying up
a vine at the gate. Along the dusty
road which led to the village and the
railroad half mile away came girl
with a suitcase.
"That's Mrs. Roberts second girl,
and she has quit her place." unused
Miss Eflie, as she caught sight Of the
traveller.
Miss Effie was cutting and trim
ming with praiseworthy energy and
wondering whether Mrs. Roberts had
got angry and discharged Julia. or
whether Julia had got angry and dis
charged her mistress, when the suit
case halted at the gate and SNUFF
fling voice said:
cts all on your account, Miss
Rayl"
'But it can't be. I hardly know Mrs.
Roberts, and this is the first time I
have ever spoken to you"
eyes; but she is always crlticlzing
you and l was always standing up for
you. That has been the trouble. Every
time she has said word against you
l have answered her back and that
has kept her mad at me-"
allow dare she"
eyes, miss; how dare she? I asked
her that same question several times"
"And has she had anything more to
say?'
"Well, miss, as I am going away, l
might as we'll tell you that she says
you never had beau, can't get one
and will probably die an old maid I
must hurry along now or I will miss
my train"
Why should Mrs. Roberts criticize
Miss Rayl at all? Why have the bad
taste to do it to a servant if she felt
that she must speak. Miss Effie didn't
stop to figure out an answer. Mrs.
Roberts hadn't talked. She hadn't
criticized. She had discharged the
girl for insolence and inetticiency.
Julia had got even.
care you going for ride?" asked
the mother of Miss Eftie came in.
"a short one" was answered.
"You look awfully sober about it,"
"And I'll make someone else look
sober before get back"
And she would say no more, but got
ready and rode away.
When you arrive at the residence of
the woman you are going to lay down
the law to, it is due you to make what
stage folk call an entrance" You
trip up the walk and the steps and
ring the bell, and if it is in the fore
noon the lady herself may come to tie
door. You bow coldly. You look her
up and down. III tones to remind her
Of the North pole, you lead off with:
"M .adam, I would like few words
with your.
Miss Effie was ready to follow this
program, but no madam appeared.
She rang again. The cook was heard
singing "Happy Days. at the rear end
of the house, but there was no sight
or sound of Mrs. Roberts.
After waiting for five or six min
utes, the girl turned away. OF course,
she thought, Mrs. Roberts had seen
her arrival and her guilty conscience
had driven her to hide under bed.
She might escape that way this morn
ing. but there were other days COM
ing!
Miss Fife started down the three
or four steps, but missed her footing
somehow and pitched head-tirst into
a rose bush. She screamed, Of course.
That scream brought somebody from
the house just as she was picking her
self up. That somebody was young
man fair to look upOn-Mrs. Roberts
cousin, Archie Shelbourne.
"Ah-beg pardon-so sOrry!" he ex-
claimed, as he came forward. "You
wanted to see Mrs. RobertsT he
queried.
"Y-esl" she gulped.
$50 sorry; but she has gone to see
about q servant and may not be back
until late this afternoon. You came
on an errand?"
"But never mind" And Fife walked
away without further words.
But the penalty came within two
minutes. She climbed into the run
about, but it would not start. She
tried again and again.
''Beg pardon, but let me assist you."
It was Mr.. Shelbourne at the gate.
Miss Effie would not answer him.
She would not even look his way. A.
ter last desperate but vain attempt
to get away in the machine, she
stepped from it and headed for home
on foot.
"Well, I'll be hanged!" gasped Mr..
Shelbourne, as he looked after her.
The girl reached home to fling her
hat on the floor and her gloves at the
cat, and, ignoring the questions Of her
mother, she locked herself in her room
and wept. Four hours later, when she
came downstairs, the mother said:
"About an hour after you went up
stairs young man brought your run
about back and put it in the garage
and went off without word. What is
the mystery?"
at got out of order, guess" was
the reply.
Then Mrs. Roberts and her cousin
came motoring up and while she came
in he stayed in the machine.
Julia, the discharged servant, had
lied like trooper. 1t came out after
ten minutes talk, and then things
went happily.
"She said that T said YOU couldn't