The Press., 1920-04-29
~ou'II Learn, Dear."

offered a position as manager and de- signer of the dressmaking department in one of the large stores. She was taking a two weeks rest that she very much needed. She had done dress making for years in the little rooms where she lived with her daughters and was weary of the drudgery of it. Louise, the younger daughter, was in her sophomore year in high school.
 Alice with her beauty and charm. had won the catch at the university. John Shuer's pareJ:s had come from q neighbOring state for the graduation of their son, and Mrs. Mangan and Louise had managed to scrape togeth- CT enough money to go and meet AL lies intended husband and his family. Everything had been so pleasant. Life looked very bright for them all and now Allie was worried.
 Alice put down her sewing, grimly determined. 'Mother, I have a plan and hope you won't hinder me. It is this: You know the charming Mrs. Fred Merton who lives in that pretty house on the corner of Eighth and Pleasant streets?'
 "Yes, dear."
 "She needs a maid and I have de cided to ask for the place. Now wait until I tell you my plan. I can work for her for two months before my we'd ding. John isn't coming here until then. That will give me some real money for my trousseau, and you can have my things made in your shop. I can learn how things should be done. The house is about the size of the one I am to live in in Oxbridge, and she keeps one maid and has a laundress come in. Just exactly as John and planned for ourselves"
 "But-wouldn't John and his fam fly be mortified at your working as a servant?"
 'They will never know" declared Alice. q shall give another name. I am used to work and I shall ask ques- tions and learn lot. You know, Mrs. Merton belongs to one of the best fam lilies and always does the proper thing"
 eff it were any one else, dear," said the mother, "I would think it good plan; but hate to think of you doing a servants work"
 "It is the kind of work that thou l sands of women do in their own homes. Besides, I wouldn't be a servant; l would only take the place of one for a few weeks, and need the money as we'll as the knowledge. Oxbridge, Johns home town, being a small place. l goes in hard for society-parties all | the time, and they dress more there l than in larger place.
 ''I hate to go to John with mlser- able wardrobe. He wouldn't care-.~the | dear-but for his sake I want some l clO hes and some social knowledge. l can learn more in the short time ] shall be at Mrs. Merton's than in years later-besides, shall be saved the en- barrassment of making mistakes" , "Oh, dear!" said Mrs. Mangan, look : ing bewildered.
 Be sport, mother, and we'll en- i joy this secret together. We've lived so secluded here in these little up stairs rooms that no one pays any at. tention to us. Mrs. Merton has never seen me, although, being so popular, l : have seen her and heard lot about her, too. Please mother"
 Every we'll, Allie. I am almost en- thused."
 "I shall go at once and apply for the place." said Alice as she pinned on her hat.
 Alice came back beaming with en- thusiasm. "I start tomorrow and Mrs. Merton is a dear. I told her was in- eXDerienced exceDt in nlein cooking She will show me everything for a week. Then will know the routine"
 Alice returned every evening and