Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-11-30
THE DAILY NOVELETTE,
His Mothers Maid
ny HAZEL GRAY WOOD

without your mothers approval.
You are all she hus." Shirley Lane tenn
pered her words with very tender
smilo, but they bit deep into tho soul
Of the man who leaned toward her
from his chair opposite.
Shirley" he protested. Don't say
that, dear, When mother knows you--
why, sho has never even seen your
True returned the girl, but Just
the SAME you know that she Is con-
WINGED that am social butterfly no
to speak, and not Mt all the sort Of wife
she would choose for her only son."
Drake was silent moment. Shirley's
accusation was all too true. He recalled
his mothers words and expression al
that he wanted to marry Shirley Lane.
THAT little society snob 7, she had said.
"Why. her life Is q whirl Of idleness
from morning until night What earthly
use could she be to your"
Shirley, dear" he said sadly. II can
scarcely credit that you will let the pref
udices of my temperamental mother
como between us. When she meets you,
she will discover her mistake"
Perhaps" said Shirley doubtfully.
There was moments silence. Then
Drake rosa to go.
'"1'm on an errand for her now" he
said. Doing the rounds of the agencies
I9loise, aer combination cook-chaJnber-
maid id-companion, who has been married.
why--why-what is It, Shlrley7"
For Shirley had slapped one slim little
fist into the palm Of her hand and was
smiling triumphantly. TITS been done
tdoie again. Don't look so stupid. Drake !!
4 Forgct tho agencies and behold your
Another's new matdr' She pointed to an
Adams mirror unmistakably rejecting
her piquant self 'Tt'll give me my
chance to prove how domestic I really
say the word Promise"
A week later Drake Endicotts mother
was Ewing to her new maid nnal IN
81 ons about the modest little tea
was having that afternoon for an
aa srnfs fsna from and dnoaaa sIr dnnsheT u's
anxious she said. 'for things to 60 ex-
actly right. Tho daughter Is a lifelong
friend OF my sons and ! have always
hoped but here Mrs. Endicott
broke off. realizing that 1t was not pre-
c]sely the thing to make conhdant or
ones maid, exceptional though she be.
And the new Merry Elise certainly was
exceptional. Her ways wero 50 deft, her
breakfast toast SO crisply and evenly
Drowned, her manner OF speaking 90
why, almost charming.
And because her thoughts were occu-
pied with Mary Elises good points Mrs.
Endicott failed to notice the cloud Of
disnay which darkened the girls coun-
tenance at this mention of plans for
Drake. For the first time since her i'm
personation Of competent servant.
Shirley felt a wild temptation to tear
of her cap and apron and fee. Then she
braced her straight young shoulders and
resolved to see the game through. The
prize at stake was we'll worth the win
ming and. incidentally, the affair had It's
spicy moments when her eyes mot
brakes across his morning coffee or she
encountered him by accident In tho hall.
Consequently that afternoon, ut the
proper moment, Shirley wheeled in the
tea tray. Preoccupied with the fragile
service, she irstirctively became aware
up met the straight and curious gaze
OF Eva Sperry, an acquaintance OF years
ago. 30 It was Eva and Eva's mother
for whom she was serving tea and, by
the same token, It was Eva whom Mrs
thought Of Drake ever interesting HIM
self in the angular optnionated Eva,
Shirley all but smiled. Then she froZe
In a sort Of horror. Had Eva recognized
her and, II 30. would she give her away ?
Not until the tea was over. the guests
departed and Mrs. Endicott was super
. intending dinner in. her usual manner.
did Shirley feel really safe But ON ono
thing she was resolved-to speak to
Drake at the first possible moment and
tell him the time for disclosure had
come She could not risk any more en-
counters.
But that evening Drake seemed mac
cessible His mother. developed an at
tack Of nerves and alternately made de-
mands upon Shirley and her son for
little serhees ~ wish: Mary Elise"
evening, you'd so down collar and find
me good sound sreening. And you
Drake. bring me that magazine from up
stairs on my desk" She watched their
kitchen after the retreating Mary Elise,
sidetracked her on another errand, and
went down collar herself.
Now Drake had been longing for q
moment alono with Shirley. A stolen
kiss or two was his reward for the state
of suspense In which he lived az 20 how
his mother would like IT when she dis
covered his and Shirley's subterfuge.
Here was his opportunity His mother
tucked up on the couch and Mary Elise
down cotiar Short work he made of his
trip upstairs ana dSwn h.tiMa tho PACK way
door. And az The owner Of the feet he
had heard ascending reached the top
step, he caught 1t In his arms and kissed
his mother. '.
"Drako! How affer onate His
mothers voice wos amused. Then she
startled him. but you thought I was
Mary Elise!" "r
Stunned into silence. Drake followed
his mother back TO Shirley.
Here she is, Drake" said Mrs. En-
dicott cheerfully. kiss her while turn
my back !"
MRS. Endicott"
"Mothorl"
Their voices blended. but brakes
mother was undisturbed.
'"This afternoon suspected somethtng
when Eva looked at Mary Elise Later
She told mo she was the image CT Shir-
isv Lane Tonight put 1t 20 tho test,
Knowing that II i Were ornSr,,I,,S true IfSks
Afforded for word with--er--the girl
he loved Well. hate to lose another
good maid, but--DrakA explain to my
Future daughter how YOU nearly knocked
the life out of me on the cellar stairs !"
-. coupIete Notwithstanding with
Andy's Mall