The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-07-06
JUST A GIRL
By JANE PHELPS
zENA's FIRST PLACE.
CHAPTER go.

1t was with fear and trembling that
1 presented myself at my place. 1
had learned in my peregrinations that
I must use the servants entrance, and
the cook admitted me.
I'm the new maid" told her
Its more like the lady of the house
We look thin! What for be you dressed
loike thot if you are a maid. Shure
the maids I am afther a-knowin amt
that stylish"
Please. Cook" the tears filled my
eyes, II haven't any other clothes"
Right there 1 made up my minds to
break my resolve to save every penny.
would buy coarse, common suit of
some kind.
IF that's the new maid, send her
upi" Astrident voice called.
go up. the missis wants you" the
cook told me, but her voice was kinder.
went up the stairs to the room
where 1 had been interviewed the pre-
ious day.
II hope you have come ready for
work. The chamber maid left yester-
day. Until 1 get another you will have
to do her work"
I'opened my lips to say I had hired
for parlor maid, not for upstairs
work, But I closed them again. 1
dared not say anything. Mrs. Rush
might be offended and send me away.
81 will do my best" I said quietly.
crushing down the rebellious feeling
that threatened to bring tears
We'll, go to your room-it's the va
cant one next to cooks. You and the
upstairs girl occupy it together"
My heart almost stopped beating. I
was not to have even the privacy of a
room to myself If anything could
have made me willing to do anything
required of me, it would have been
that if I did 1 might have a room by
myself
Mrs. PuSL gave me ca0s and anrons
1 had taken all trimming off from a
dark blue dress, so making it really
plain. But nothing could alter the cut,
or hide the fine material. Mother al
ways bought the very best material
for our clothes. She said it was econ
omy, even when she did not practice
it.
When I was dressed I returned to
Mrs. Rush.
Go right thru this floor and tidy ii
up. Be sure everything is perfectly
busted. I loathe touching things that
have any dust upon them"
It was a very large house. She had
informed me she had a young lady
daughter. who was away on week
end visit. Mr.. and Mrs. Rush occu-
ing room and bath. The daughter s
room also had a large dressing room
and private bath Then there was a
sitting room on that floor also.
Naturally was slow. I tried to be
very thoro, but the morning was gone
| before I was half finished.
'Y QUILL have to do your work more
quickly If you expect to stay with
mel" Mrs. Rush informed me. She
was lunching out. and had called me
to fasten her dress. r-~ t7As-
my personal maid left two weeks
ago. I haven't been able to find an
other" she complained. 'I don't
know what is getting into the working
class I ached to tell her that moth
| err never had had any trouble-thai
| our servants never left us unless II
were to get married and have homes
of their ofn
you do my room next. Then &C
down and look after the drawing
room. and music room. Ailine-nS
daughter, Miss Rush-will be home
tonight"
| After she left a few tears ran dowT
my cheeks, but resolutely wiped
them away. I had a good luncheon
Cook was inclined to chat, and while
| I felt small and mean for doing so,
/ listened eagerly to all she had to say
about the family 1 was to serve.
"She's a hard woman to work for
| a regular slave driver!" she told me
"Glory be, she can't drive mel I lei
| her see that whin I first come. Shell
put on you if she kin. No one stay;
| long. But my beau is the officer or
this beat; and she amt too particular
about the handouts. so I stays
AS "hand-outs' would have no par
in making me remain, I felt rather
| discouraged.
(Tomorrow-Miss Rush Scents a
Mystery.)