Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1917-06-08
AN INDEPENDENT GIRL
BY c. 3. LEWIS.

Ellie Rayl was trimming and tying up
vine at the gate. Along the dusty
road which led to the village and the
railroad half mile away came n girl
with a suitcase.
That's Mrs. Roberts second girl,
and she has quit her place." unused
Miss Effie, as she caught sight of the
traveller.
Miss Fife 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 a snuff
|. fling voice said:
"It's all on your account. Miss
Raylw
Roberts. and this is the first time
have ever spoken to you"
"Yes; but she is always criticiZing
you and | was always standing up for
you. That has been the trouble. Every
time she has said n word against you
has kept her mad Mt me-"
How dare she,"
"Yes, miss ;'how dare she? l asked
her that same question several times"
"And has she had anything more to
say?"
well. miss. as | am going away, 1
might as well tell you that she says
you never had a beau, can't get one
and will probably die an old maid. l
must hurry along now or / 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 Ellie 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 inefliciency.
Julia had got even.
"Are you going for ride?" asked
the mother of Miss Efiie came in.
"a short one" was answered.
you look awfully sober about it."
"And I'll make someone else look
sober before 1 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 ii is in the fore
noon the lady herself may come to the
door. You bow coldly. You look her
up and down. In tones to remind her
of the North pole You lead off with:
Madam, I would like few words
with yOu!"
Miss Fife 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 q bed.
She might escape that way this MORN
ing, but there were other days COM
ing,
Miss Effie started down the three
or four steps. but missed her footing
somehow and pitched head-first into
n 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. Roberts?" he
queried.
'Y-es!" she gulped.
$50 sorry; but she has gone to see
about servant and may not be back
until late this afternoon. You came
on an errand?"
"But never mind" And EfTie 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"
1t was Mr.. ShelbOurne at the gate.
Miss Eflie would not answer him.
She would not even look his way. AZ
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 Mt the
eat. 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 a young man brought your run
about back and put it in the garage
and went off without a word. What IL
the mystery?"
at got out of order, l guess" was
the reply.
Then Mrs. Roberts and her cousin
came motoring up. and while she came
in lpe stayed in the machine.
Julia. the discharged servant. had
lied like a trooper. It came out after
ten minutes talk. and then things
bonpiIv