The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1917-04-09

per, is the only series now being writ
ten by Mabel Herbert Urner.
At the door. Helen paused. A glance
at her gray suede shoes and she turned
back. The crossings would still be muddy
from last nights rain.
Searching for her rubbers in the dusky
hall closet. she heard James heavy step
from the kitchen. through the dining
room. and into the library.
Was she taking in some mail? Helen
started after 1t. moving noiselessly in
her siIencing rubbers.
Gimme Schuyler 4296!" came James
shrll voice.
Helen stopped short The girl thought
she was gone! Knowing she was going
out. and hearing the hall door open and
close. she had rushed in to the tele-
phone.
That you. Minnie? Yep. she's
just gone. Thought she'd never get of.
What'd y'say? Nav, l can't
she's havin' company tomorrow night.
But listen Minnie. they're goin' to the
theater Saturday. heard him say he got
the tickets. You and Joe come up here.
Bring a few eggs, II you can She's so
stingy-she'd know II II took Just one
but I'll try to save up somethin' else"
Trembling with furious Indignation.
Helen shrunk back into the hall aoset.
leaving the door aJar.
'"whatd y'say? She did? Well
| that's more'n you'd ever get here The
only thing she ever give me was an old
silk waist-I wish you'd see It! Don't
catch her giving anythin that's any
good She wears 'em herself till they re
in rags"
In her intensity Helen cIutched at and
pulled down a rain coat, its wooden
hanger Gathering to the closet floor Had
Jane heard? She held her breath.
What's she gettin'? Thirty!
And only upstairs work? Say, think she d
get me there? I'm sick OF it here. She's
too close-she watches every penny. Nc
| more general Homework for me. .
Whatd y'say? Well. ask her any
way. You tell her II she gets me a good
place I'd just as leave pay her as an
agency.
"what'd y'say? Now listen, Min
ME. don't forget about Saturday night
Soon's you get through your work
You can stay til 'leven-they won't get
back fore half-past. Tell Joe to bring a
bottle OF lemon soda. Sure, I will.
Bye-bye."
Then silence. Jane was still at the
desk. What was she doing? A faint
rustic OF paper. Cautiously Helen emerged
! from the closet Just far enough to get a
| view OF the library
Comfortably seated, Jane was readins
letter from Helen's aunt that had come
that morning. Thrusting It back into the
envelope, she glanced over some other
letters. and then took up Helen's ex.
pense book. Seemingly conversant with
| this. she turned to the last items Some
memoranda on a calendar pad next re-
| ceived her pryins attention.
As she rose from the desk. Helen drew
! back into the shielding darkness of the
closet. -Humming a popular air. the girl
passed by to the dressing room.
1t was several moments before Helen
ventured to tip-toe softly to the half.
| open door. Jane. though out of her Hns
| OF vision. was reflected In the dresser
mirror-powdering her oily noss with
Helen's dainty puff!
bottle Of perfumery she shifted at hint
did not use-possibly for fear Of detec-
ton. With Helen's silver-handled mai,
hle she next cleaned and filed her nails,
polishing them with the channels bufYer
Opening the top drawer she scrutinized
Its contents. Evidently there was moth.
ing there with which she was not fami.
| liar from previous forasings, for al.
| closed II and pulled out the second
From this she produced a new reor
gette collar that Helen had bousbt YES.
terday. Trying 1t on she fastened Il
with g. bar. pin from the cushion. and
stood back with pleased admiration
Pussy Purr-mew had leaped up on the
dresser directly in front Of the mirror
With mild, blinking interest she wa
watching the adjustment Of the collar
her placidity undisturbed by this fiagrant
evidence Of James sneaking, despicabie
character.
'How's it look, Pussy? I'd look lust as
good as her II I'd her clothes
For moment the mirror reflected only
the wall. Then a creaking of the close,
door, and she was again In view. now
| wearing Helen's new hat StiIl hum.
ming, she tried 1t, with the aid of a
| hand glass, at various angles
! Unable to suppress a second longer
her now boiling rage. Helen threw oper
the door and stepped into the room.
| With sharp cry Jane shrank back IN
terrified CONSERVATION.
You can take that hat on, Jane" the
effort to control her voice gave It ar
unnatural note. ~ s. ..
| "Oh, didn't mean ncthin', ma am.
didn't think you'd care-I-" Her face
q dark red, with fumbling fingers she
took of the hat and collar. aI didn't
mean no harm"
Now Jane" with forced, menacinf
| quiet, you. can go to your room anc
pack your things!"
why, Mrs. Curtis, you amt eoin
to discharge me Tor q little thing like
thatw whimperingiy. II didn't meal
no
'That'l do. Jane. heard ever,
word You said over the phone. In your
next place you'd better make sure th<
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