The Washington times., 1919-06-08

from which his little white face glim.
mered fearfully.
Mrs. Brane poured tea and chartered In
cessantly. Il was evident that she had
suffered greatly from loneliness Her eyes
showed that she had lived too long IN
memories. l felt q warm desire to cheer
and to protect her. She was 30 small and
hslpless-looking.
"Since my husband died." she said, II
really haven't had the courage to 90 away.
It's difficult to pull up roots, and, then,
there are the old servants who depend 20
absolutely upon me. II moved away Il
would simply be to explode their whole
existence. And can't quite AFFORD to pen.
sion them" Here she paused and added
absently. AT least, not yet"
wondered II she had expectations Of
wealth. Her phrase suggested II.
"By the bye" she went on, you must
meet Della and Jane and Annie. They are
your business from now on. DelIa's the
cook, while Annie and Jane do all the
other work. I'll tell you about them 50
you'll be able to understand their crotchets.
They're really old desrs and as loyal a.
loyalty itself. Sometimes" she laughed
q hollow little laugh that sounded as II It
had faded from long disuse, Il wonder
how on earth I could get rid Of them"
She gave me humorous account of the
three old women who did the indoors
work at The Pines. She had hardly m
ished when 5ane came in. This was the
fat, little one; wrinkled, with gray curls;
Q pursed-up face, little, bright, anxious
eyes Again was struck by the fuEtiVe,
frightened air every one at The Pines
wore except George, the colored coach
man, with his bravado.
Jane was introduced to me and gave me
rather . gloomy greeting. Nevertheless,
] thought that she, too, after her own
fashion, was glad to see me.
"You don't keep colored servants for
indoors, do you, Mrs. BraneT / asked
when Jane had taken away the tea things
and we were on our way upstairs.
"oh, mercy, no! OF all wretched, super.
stitious, timid creatures, negro women are
the most miserable. I wouldn't have one
IN the house with me over q single night.
This is your room, Miss Gale. It Is in the
old part Of the house, what we call the
northern wing. Opposite you, along the
passageWay, f. RobbIe's nursery, which
my husband used in the old days as q sort
Of study. This end Of the house has the
deep windows. You won't see those win
dow siIls anywhere else at The Pines. Ny
husband discovered the reason. There's
q double wall at this end Of the house.
think the old northern wall was burnt or
torn down or out Of repair and a former
owner Just cIapped on another wall over
It; or, perhaps, he thought It would make
this end Of the house warmer and more
weatherproof. It's the quarter our storms
come from. Whatever the reason, 1t makes
these end rooms very pretty, think.
There's nothing like deep window. Is
there? / hope you will like your room"
was sure that ] would. 1t was really
very fresh and pretty, seemed to have
been done over recently, for the paper,
the mating, the coat Of white paint on the
woodwork, the muslin curtains were all
spick and span.
After Mrs. Brane had left me l went to
the window and looked out. ] had q
charming view Of the old garden, still gay
with late Fall flowers, and with roses
which bloomed here, probably all Winter
long. A splendid magnolia tree all but
brushed the window with its branches.
Just below stood a pretty arbor covered
with rose vines and honeysuckle., / drew
In a deep breath Of the soft fragrant air.
was very happy that night, very CRATE
full for the state Of life to which heaven
had called me-"