The Washington herald., 1917-12-31

I 'Oh, she'll look SO sullen-Fd
rather do 1t myself"
That's just where you are
wrong. You're afraid Of her. and
she knows It. Now ring that bell"'
Helen pressed the buzzer under
the table. A moments wait and
Nora appeared. her face expressing
her disapproval at being called
from her work.
Nora. you'u have to cook this
bacon a little more. I've told you
SO often I want mine brown and
crisp"
Her silence shrieking her animos-
ity. Nora took the plate and flounc-
ed out.
Now she'll burn it-I know she
will. Dear. won't you speak to
her?'
'Tn FIRE her-if that's what you
want"
No no. want to keep her until
spring-itll be easier then to get
some one. Oh, II you'd only help
me! Because you never say a word
, she thinks you approve Of her-and
that I'm just fussy. II you'd only
speak sternly to her now and then
it would make it so much easier
for me"
Huh, it's come to a fine pass
when you can't manage one serv-
ant"
I'm not asking you to manage
her-only to speak to her occasion
ally. That's why Mrs Stevens has
30 little trouble with her maids.
She says Just a word from Mr.. Ste
vens has more effect than anything
she could say"
We'll. I don't give whoop
what Stevens or anybody else does.
II you can't run the maid-Pn fire
her. and we'll go out for our meals" "
Here the pantry door swung open
and Nora appeared with the plate, on
which were two blackened curls. In
triumphant defiance she placed the
charred remains OF the bacon before
Helen, and strode back to her work.
It knew that's Just what she'd do
quivered Helen. Now you see what
l have to put up with"
For a moment Warren glared at the
shrunken, burnt strips. Then rapping
his plate with his fork, he thundered
a terrifying.
Moral!
The next second the girl was at the
door, her look Of sullen antagonism
replaced by a startled apprehensive-
ness.
Mora. you can cook Mrs. Curtis
some more bacon. This time you'll
cook it right. Now. we've had Just
about enough of your insolence. Here
after you1l do things as Mrs. Curtis
wants them-or you'll have to CO."
Mrs. Curtis said she wanted IL
crisp, and L"
"That'n be enough from you! Mrs.
Curtis has been entirely too easy. Now
If you want to hold down this Job
you'll change your attitude. We don't
intend to put up with any more Of
your impudence."
Nora, her face brick red. had picked
up the plate of burnt bacon and was
backing towards the pantry door.
Hold on there. I'm not through
yet"' replied Warren. Don't leave
the room while I'm talking. Now If
you can't do the work right, and be
more respectful-we'u get some one
who will. That's all-you can CO."
As the door swung shut after her,
Warren calmly resumed his breakfast.
He had not even glanced toward
Helen. whose wavering color and tense
held breath proclaimed her consterna-
ton.
"oh. why did you say so much?
She'll leave now-I know she will. Oh,
you needn't have blown out like that! I!
l only wanted you to"
For the love Of Mike! Here you've
been bounding me all morning to
pitch into the girl. and now that !
have-and did 1t rather neat-you set
up howl because"
II didn't say to pitch into her. ex-
citedly. but in a discreetly lowered
voice I told you I wanted to keep her
You can't get anybody now-and they
all want $40"
What If they do? ia rather pay 1t
than put up with impertinence."
Listen! Wasn't that from her
room? She's opening her trunks
that's what 1t sounded like! She's
packing-oh, knew she'd leave!"
That suits me-" shrugged Warren.
IF she doesn't appreciate a good job
sooner she clears out the better"
With maddening indifference he pro-
ceeded with his breakfast, while
Helen waited IN anxious suspense.
Would Nora appear dressed for the
street. to demand a refernce and her
money? Oh, why had she asked War
rem to interfere?
A step In the pantry and the door
swung open. Nora, q subdued. chast-
ened, tear-f1ushed Nora, came in with
lowered eyes. a plate Of deliciously
Drowned, crisp bacon-and another Of
fresh toast.