The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1920-01-02


cen, old Lady f'rothinghafn, had
been Just enough OF an invalid for
the 20 years preceding her death to
need a nurse or y companion, or a
social secretary. or some ono who
was little OF all three. The great
problem was 20 md tho right per
son. and for a period that actually
extended Itself over years the right
person was not 20 be found. and the
old lady was consequently miserable
and unmAnageabie.
Then came tho advent Of Mrs
Clay. a dark. silent. diguified widow.
who more than met all requirements,
and who becain. a companion figure
to tho little. fusning. ovcrdreHsed old
lady. From tho day she sirrt arrived
at tho rockingham mansion Mrs
Clay never failed her employer for 80
much as a single hour. For is years
she managed the house, the maids.
and. II tho truth were known. tho old
lady herself. with a quiet. Irresistible.
efficiency. Hut Il was eagerly re.
marked that she did not manage her
small daughter with her usual suc,
eess. iaxsic was n fascinating baby
and a beautiful child, quicker OF
speech than thought. with a lovely
little hsartshaped face framed In ny.
ing locks OF tawny hair. But she
was unnanag-ablc and strong wilied.
and poaneased Of winning and In.
soient charm hard 10 refuse
Her mother In her silent. represscd
way realized that MaEsio was not hav.
Ing tho proper uphringing. but her
own youth had been hard and dark,
and I; was perhaps tho closest ap.
proach TO Joy that she ever knew
when MaEsio. glowing under her wide
summer hats. or radiant in new furs.
rushed up 10 demand something pre-.
posterous ana extravaEant Of her
mother. and was not denied.
She was a stout. coneelt.d is.year,
old when her mother died. 81 spoiled
and 40 soif-eentrrcd that old Lady
Fruthingham had been heard more
than once 90 muttrr tina; the young
Lady could set down from her high
horse and make herself useful. or she
could march. But that was sin years
ago. And now-thlsl Maxrie had ov.
Identity decided 10 make herself use.
full. but she had managed TO make
herself beautiful and fascinating as
well Sho was In mourning now for
the good hearted old bcnefartress
who had left her a nSs,-egK Of some
iis. 900. and Rachael noticed with
approval that u was correct mourn.
Ing: simple. severe. Partisan. Moth.
ing could have been more becoming
20 tho exquisite bloom OF the young
face than the soft. clear folds OF
filmy yelling. under the small. Close
sct hat there showed a ripple Of rich
golden hair. The watching woman
thought shs had never seen such
self possession: at % II was almost
uncanny. Tho modulated. bored
young voice. tho laxiiy lifted. indif.
fcrcnt young eyes. the general air OF
requesting an apprcciative world 20
be amusing and interesting. or to ex.
pect nothing Of Miss Magde Clay.
these things caused Rachael a deep.
hidden chuckio OF amusement. Lit.
tic Magsio had turned out TO be
something Of n personality Why.
she was oven employing a distinct
aud youthfuily insoicnt air Of keep
Ing Warren by her side merely on
Warren. the cleverest
and finest man in the room. who was
more than twice her age!
ITO think that she IL younger than
Charlottcl' Rachael CALCULATED tol
herself. catching glimpse OF Char
lotte. towed by her mother. uncom-
Portable. ignored. blinking thru her
glasses. And when she and Warren
we're In tho car homcward bound. she
spoke admiringiy Of Magsie. did
you ever see any ono 40 improved.
WARREN Really. she's quite extraor-
dlnaryr'
Warren smiled abscntly.
she's terribly spoiled little
thing" he remarked. she's out for
a rich man. and she'll get him.
81 suppose So" Rachael agreed.
casting about among tho men she
knew for an appropriate partner for
Miss Clay.
Suppose so"' he echoed in good
humored scorn. Don't you fool
yourself. she1l get what she's after!
There isn't a man alive that wouldn't
fall for that particular TYPE
Warren. do you suppose so?" his
wife asked IN surprise.
well. watch and see"'
Perhaps" Rnchacl's interest
wandered. what time have you"
she asked.
lie glanced nj his watch. six