Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-07-10
DAILY NOVELETTE,
THE NEW MAID
By Hortense Caldwell
EnoRENCE WILSON was seated in

L the middle Of a group OF girls on the
steps Of the college dormitory. 'I'll bet
you all q big box Of candy apiece" here
she. stopped until the commotion sub
sided "you needn't think it's SO funny,
you won't get IT," she added.
"But Florrie, that scheme of yours Is
absurd. Just because you live in Ari-
zona isn't sign you have to hire out
as a maid for the summer. You know
very we'll we would love to have you
visit u.s."
Thank you, Beatrice, but have
fully made up my mind to answer Mrs.
Rawson's ad. And II keep my job all
summer you all get that box of candy"
The next day Florence dressed as
simply as she knew how and set off to
secure the situation as a maid in the
palatial residence Of the wealthy Mrs.
Rawson. Timidly she rang the bell, to
be admitted by a trim maid in black
and white. Florence gave her friendly
glance and sat down in the library to
await her turn for an interview.
Finally she heard sharp Miss Will
son." and slowly she arose from the
chair.
Upon entering she found Mrs. Rawson
quite the opposite from what she had
expected to see. The lady was little
and white haired; in fact, with quite a
motherly air. Florence gave little
gasp as she entered the room, think ing
of her own little mother away off in
faraway Arizona.
After few friendly questions she was
told to report the next day. Florence
ran all the way back to the college with
the good news, only to be scoldeG and
lectured by her schoolmates.
The idea of you, with your social
standing, to think of doing this,"' one
girl exclaimed.
"'Ida Longworth, you ought to be
ashamed of yourself. 1t is good, honest
work, and it won't hurt me one bit. l
might just as we'll work as spend the
whole summer running around visiting
my friends
The next day Florence left her friends
at the railroad station, not to see them
again until their return to school in the
fall. As she turned her steps toward
her new quarters she could think of
nothing but her new duties, and two
hours later found her in her uniform
awaiting orders.
. Everything went along smoothly and
Florence was congratulating herself on
her ability as a maid.
A. L., la,, H. Il
her into her own private sitting room.
. The minute Florence entered her eyes
fell upon a photograph on her dressing
table. Mrs. Rawson evidently saw the
. glance and volunteered the information
that it was her son, expected home from
college in three days. Florence felt her
heart leap up, but continued on in a
discreet silence.
; The three days passed quickly ant
with them came a young athletic fellow
two years her senior. On their first
meeting young Tom Rawson's eyes fol
lowed the new maid around the room
days that he had the good fortune o.
catching her alone in the room. At last
that day came, and he awkwardly
asked her il she liked her work.
"Oh, yes, indeed" Florence an.
swered. Zone has to do something tt
earn living"
Tom looked at her little obviously
"You don't look as IL you have worked
for yours very long" he remarked.
Florence felt as If she might be sus
pected. Many times he tried to max,
her answer catch questions, but each
time she evaded the subject. One day
, however, he asked her to go for a ridt
! in his car. and as Mrs. Rawson wa'
, away for the week end, she accepted
the offer and went.
. After they had got fairly started. Ton
, turned to the girl and said: What ar,
. YOU doing this for, Florence Wilson?
know who you are, so don't try to foo
me-"
, EApence tried to smile. but it changed
into a look of anxiety. "You won't tel
anybody and make me change my plans
will you?" she pleaded earnestly.
"On one condition, fair lady, an,
that is you let me take you out whel
the coast is clear"
Florence readily consented, and afte
that tne summer new ny dll 100 QUICK
!. At last came the end of August, an,
: Florence gave her notice in very bust
nesslike way. Tom was right on han,
when she gave it, and broke the un
comfortable silence by asking his moth
!, er IL she would give her references.
, "Yes, indeed, she Is the best littl
! girl I have ever had in my employ; il
fact she seems like one of the family"
. perhaps she will be some day
4 mother
"Tom."
D OF course explanations had to follow
!. but the result was that Florence wen
D back to her friends with wonderful
: ring on her left hand.
"I'll tell you what I will do, girls.
\ she said after she had told them tn
n great news. "Instead of that box @
candy YOU can all come to my house
r warming and We'll have big spread.
e Just as she was leaving them to re
:, turn to their studies she called owe
g her shoulder. "Girls, that will be fou
= weeks from tomorrow.
= The next complete novelette-Undt
LOckdAle ElmS,