The Washington herald., 1917-07-02

b persisted Helen ruefulIy. And your
4 hands"
'T can say I wear rubber gloves for
j the rough work." argued Laura, with
q Disappearing glance at her betray-
ingly white hands.
In the plain black maids dress, with
the white collar, cuffs, and apron
decidedly unservant-like.
It's all absurd" scolded Helen.
"and Pm very foolish to help you"
ITS the only way 1 can make and
can pay my debts and buy few
clothes. And for a little while-it'n be
a real adventure"
Very reluctantly and only after much
persuasion had Helen yielded to this
seemingly impossible plan. And now
4 with renewed doubts she glanced again
at their ad in the morning paper:
Lady leaving town wishes to
place her competent maid in a
small family. No washing. Call to-
day, S-6. Mrs. w. E. Curtis.-st"
There's some one now" exulted
Laura as the bell rang. land it's no,
quite 3! Now don't enthuse too much
over my capabilities-it'll look suspi-
clous," as she ran to open the door.
Nora having been instructed TO keep In
the background.
The next moment Laura ushered In
stout, ostentatious woman with large
pearl earrings and an expensive gold
mesh bag.
Good afternoon" assertiveIy. 81
called to see about the maid. Is that
the one?' glancing after Laura's trim
hgure retreating kitchenward.
was she a good cook? Could she
| make fancy desserts? Could she serve
well?" came the questions in swift
succession.
| Yes she's an erceptIo,aI ,,,,t5 ..
Helen tried to seem calmly impersonal
Was she honest? Clean? Sober? And
what wages did she expect?
I'll call her and you can talk tc
her. nervously anxious to escape.
| From the dining-room Helen listened
| with tense anxiety to Laura's first in.
terView. The woman's questions were
disconcertingly searching.
NOW you mustn't expect TO have
company in your room ! never allow
Laura disavowed any desire for hav-
ing company at all.
That's good. Now about the wash
ing-you're good laundress?''
The advertisement said no wash
Ing, Laura reminded her,
You want thirty a month-withou,
the washing?" with amazed indiena-
ton. Why, l shouldn't think of it! II
paid that much-I certainly wouldn't
send out the laundry. / want a girl
| WHO NOT dITalQ TO Work.
But the naughty arrogance Of her
exit was tempered by the two other
women waiting at the door as she
founced out.
Feeling that Laura could best handle
the interviews alone. Helen remained
IN the dining-room but within hearing
distance.
1t was an illuminating experience
For the first time she saw the domes.
uc problem from the servants point
or view. None of these women seemed
TO consider girls need for rest OF
recreation. The few who were grudg.
ingiy willing TO pay the so planned
FOR this amount they expected q
prodigy-a combination general house.
keeper. seamstress and ladys maid.
| Would she do the mending? Couic
she wash the windows? And the
laundry-in spite Of the advertise
ment. for thirty they all insisted or
the washing. And the phrase 'smal
family was surprisingly elastic.
Helen was amazed at the quiet ga 81
with which Laura answered thcll
questions. Several seemed to resent
the culture in her voice and manner
,'T'd like to see your present EN-
ployer," demanded a sharp critica
your character"
That won't be necessary-I hardly
think I would suit you" returned
Laura with acid sweetness as sh,
bowed her out
The bell rang incessantly. They
waited in the living-room while Laura
saw them one at a time in the library.
II presume you've no objections to
wearing a cap?" Many were insistenl
on this badge of servitude.
| You have every other Sunday aft
ernoon-but you must always be In by
ten-thirty. About your aprons
| never provide those, and You must
have enough to keep yourself tidy,
Well, I'll try you for a week"
I'm sorry-but I'm afraid wouldn',
care for the place"
You wouldn't?" furiously. "What
impudence! Why have you wasted my
timer" and another lady" left In
high dudgeon.
Helen could hardly hear. but Laura.
answers implied that she was more
| considerate than the others
| Would you like to see Mrs. Curtis
about my reference? I'll ask her tc
come in"
| ing-room, beckoned Helen into the
The others were impossible-but
she seems very nice. Only two In the
family and she sends out the laundry
Be careful what you say-I'm afraid
she's a little suspicious. I saw her
| iODhlIlk dl IIlg
When Helen went into the library
she greeted a well-dressed, pleasant
faced woman of about thirty-five.
4 I'm very glad to hear that" after
being assured of Iaura's honesty and
ability. She seems a very superior
| girl-but rot quite the servant type.
! No, / believe she comes from 8
| very good family" mlrmured Helen
town"
"I see," but with a doubtful note
Then hesitatingly. I'm not at all mar.
any thing else. 1t wouldn't keep me
from: employing her. Only naturally
I'd like to know"
So that was what She thought-tha'
Laura was trying to live down an un'
fortunate past. For a moment Heller
| woman the truth, which was so mucr
more creditable than what she sur.
missed. Yet IL she knew, Laura might
feel uncomfortable.
You need have no doubt as to hel
character. She is rather superior
strong and she thinks it's better fol
her health than working in a factory
We'll, shall certainly be very
glad to give her trial. May I speai
to her again? Thank you very much.
When she left Laura was engaged
to come the next morning at g.
1t was now only a little after fve
there was still nearly an hour Of the
| calling" period. The bell kept ring.
ing and Laura was forced to see each
would-be employer. and explain thai
she had already taken a position.
Almost every woman received this
as a personal affront, and seveIa
were most insistent that she waive her
promise. The scarcity of maids seem.
ed to Justify any method OF securing
one.
"Oh, I hope that's the last" a,
Laura came back from the door
That was the twenty-sixth-wasn'
IT lost count. Wonder what tht
people across the hall think," Heller
Laughed. I've never had so many
L co llars L.. dn,.,t rhnr.