Middletown transcript., 1917-06-02

and went on for q minute with what
she was doing to one Of the twins,
as If she hadn't heard. Doris Is
quite satisfactory, madam" she said
at last. I'D not advise making
change. She's d dependable young
woman, as such go. Of course watch
her very close"
81 think I can promise to be de-
pendable," Rose said. Il don't know
much about babies, but think I can
learn as well as Doris. Anyhow, !
can wheel them about and wash their
clothes and boil their bottles and
things as we'll as she does. And you
can tell me what to do just as you tell
her"
To this last observation it became
evident that Mrs. RustOn meant to
make no reply at all. She gave Rose
some statistical information about the
twins instead, in which Rose showed
herself politely interested, and present
ly withdrew.
Rodney wore queer expression
all through dinner, and when he got
Rose alone in the library afterward,
he explained it. Mrs. Ruston had
given him notice, coRtingently. Rose
had informed her Of her intention to
dispense with the service Of the nurse
maid. If Rose adhered to this inten-
ton, Mrs. Ruston must leave.
It was some sort of absurd misun-
derstanding, of course, Rodney con-
cluded, and wanted to know what 1t
was all about.
Il did say I meant to let Doris CO."
Rose explained, "but told her l meant
to take Doris job myself. said 1
thought 1 could be just as good a
nursemaid as she was. And meant
it."
He was prowling about the room In
worried sort Of way, before she got
as far as that. II don't see, child" :"
he exclaimed, "why you couldn't leave
well enough alone! If it's that old
economy bug of yours again, it's nom
sense. You, to spend all your time
doing menial work to save me ten
dollars a week!''
1T isn't menial work." Rose insist
ed. "It's apprentice work. After I've
been at it six months, learning as fast
as can, I'll be able to let Mrs. Ruston
go and take her job-Ill be really
competent to take care Of my own
children. l don't pretend I am now."
He stared at her in perfectly honest
bewilderment. you're talking rather
wild-I think, Rose," he said very quiet
ly.
"Tm talking what I've learned from
you," she said. "Oh, Rodney, please
try to forget that I'm your wife and
that you're in love with me. Can't
you just say: Here's A, or B, or K,
perfectly healthy woman, twenty-five
years old, and little real work would
be good for her?'
She won, with much pleading, q sort
cf troubled half-assent from him. The
matter could be taken up again with
Mrs. Ruston.
Given fair field, Rose might have
won q victory here. But, as Portia
had said once, the pattern was cut diff
ferently. There was sudden alarm
one night, when her little namesake
was found strangling with the Group
There were seven terrifying hours-al
most unendurable hours, while the
young life swung and balanced ovel
the ultimate abyss. The heroine o1
those hours was Mrs. Ruston. Tha
the child lived was clearly creditablt
to her.
Rose made another effort even aftel
that, though she knew she was beateI
in advance. She waited until the ole
calm routine was re-established. Then
once more, she asked for her chance
But Rodney exploded before she go
the words fairly out of her mouth
"No," he shouted, 81 won't consider it
; She's saved that baby's life. You'll
have to find some way of satisfying
your whims that won't jeopardiz
those babies lives. After that night
good heavens, Rose, have you forgot
ten that night?-Tm going to play /
safe."
Rose paled little and sat ivory still
in her chair. There were no miracle
: any more. The great dam was swep
away.