The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1920-01-31
I'LL SAY SHE WILL
BY LILLIAN M. RICHARDS.


stand this humdrum existence of cook
ing three meals a day. washing
dishes. sweeping floors and making
beds any longer. It's the same old
thing over and over. How hate it :"
There. there, dear" replied her
husband in a soothing voice. You
know we just can't afford maid. so
why not make the best of it. I'm
sorry I'm not wealthy. bur | do the
best can"
We'll" exclaimed Nellie emphatic
ally. 81 would rather work In Bnrtons
dry goods store, and pay maid out of
my own salary. than do this horrid
homework any longer"
Very well, little sweetheart" said
| Joe. with a peculiar smile. IF you
would like 10 try it that way for a
while get your position and I'll call at
the employment Office for a maid"
AT last thought Nellie, I'm to
| graduate from the kitchen" Early the
next morning she secured a position
at the store, and that same evening a
rather plain dressed girl was shown to
the maids room TO begin her duties
in the morning.
The next day as Nellie came down
to breakfast in her taiormade suit.
ready for work, her smile changed 20 a
frown, as she saw the maid in the
| daylight. Without her hat on she was
beautiful, and Joe, with his sweetest
smile and in a solicitous manner, was
showing her where the household
utensils were concealed.
"Good-by, DEAR" said he as Nellie
was about 10 leave. Now don't wor-
ry about things at home, as l have a
half an hour yet in which to acquaint
Anette with the house"
Nellie's face heightened. but she
would not give in. Upon reaching the
store she was assigned to a counter in
the middle of the building, under arti-
fetal light all day. AT noOntime,
after swallowing a cold lunch in the
basement, she thought of her little sun.
parlor at home, which was filed with
coy corners and beautiful plants.
But. just then she thought Of the
/ kitchen sink, and joyfully went back
to her counter.
On Tuesday and Saturday evenings
in this town all the stores were open,
which meant that Nellie had to work.
She noticed that on these particular
nights Anette always looked her pref
test, while Joe wore a contented smile
and seemed delighted with the situa-
ton.
All that evening Nellie worried over
her predicament. She had 4 pretty
little home. and even when doing her
own work could 90 in the afternoon
if she so pleased. Il was foolish" she
thought. But how can l get out of
1t now, after being the instigator Of
the arrangement Her feet were
blistered from the long hours of I'M
accustomed trudging up and down be
hind the counter, and her head ached
from the noise and confusion. After
standing it as long IS she could Mel
lie went down to the Mushroom, and
just cried her heart out. "Oh, dear"
she thought, washing dishes would
be heaven to this. didn't know when
was well off" On the plea of a head
ache she was let go home an hour
;. earlier than usual
!. When Nellie reached the house she
casually glanced into the window. and
to her utter establishment, there was
her husband nicely settled in his easy
= chair, with Anette sitting on its arm.
= affectionately running her fingers
through his hair and singing to him
in a soft. sweet voice.
At first Nellie could have screamed
and then she wanted to cry. Finally
2 she didn't know what to do, but do
o something she must No wonder he
y liked the arrangement. Going in the
n back door she called the girl to the
IS kitchen.
$ Annette" said she. tremblingly,
"you may pack your things and leave
here in the morning"
: "Oh, indeed" replied the girl, flip
PANTY. well, l was hired by Mr..
Harrington, and I'll not be fired by
you"
Il For minute Nellie was speerhless.
Il then she managed to weakly call her
II husband.
II LET Anette go?" said he, in a sur
II prised voice. "Why, certainly not. |
II never enjoyed this house so much in
Il my life before; no fussing about the
II work and plenty to eat. Besides she's
! a very capable girl. OF course. if you
don't wish to work at the store that
will be all right, but we will keep
= Anette just the same" Then. patting
: the girl on the shoulder. he told her To
4 run along to bed and not worry her
y pretty head about leaving.
N Nellie felt Inundated and hurt. She
k was an outsider in her own house and
ie to think she herself was 10 blame.
: After spending a miserable night Size
= called Joe to her bedside.
/. Sweetheart" she begged. ,''please
Of let that girl go. I'm so unhappy.
er Why, | can manage the houseworS
very nicely alone, and III never com