The Elk Mountain pilot., 1921-05-19
THE NEW MAID
sy DOROTHY DOUGLAS.
De. l,.l. b Aeclsr. N.r.p.psr synale...'


Donald. Sinclair picked up the
magazine that had been left in the
subway, idly. He had no special in
terest In 1t; 1t had merely been occu-
pying the space where he wished to
sit.
Back In his mind, but not In SO ex-
aggerated a proportion as to mar his
outlook. was the wish that he was go
Ing home to well-regulated house
hold, to a dinner nicely served In.
their own small dining room instead
Of one that his sister Jean had had to
prepare after her own hard days
work. Both he and Jean detested
having meals outside and Jean pre-
| ferred coming home late from the Of
6ce and preparing dinner rather than
to trail out to restaurant.
Their experience with housekeepers
had been unsuccessful.
1t was with n very grave delight
then that Donald found the magazine
he had picked up so idly to contain
something that pointed the road to
happiness. A letter of recommenda-
tfon, apparently lost by its owner, was
magazine. 1t read:
ITO whom it may concern: This is
to state that Gladys Turner has been
in my employ as general housekeeper
for three years. She is an excellent
cook, is strictly honest, neat, clean
and splendid manager. She is leav-
ing my employ only because my son
has fallen in love with her, and made
1t trying for her with his attentions.
She has my highest recommendation"
The letter was signed and the tele-
phone and address of the writer
added
Donald did not confide in Jean un-
til his plans should be perfected.
The outcome was that Gladys Tur-
ner called at the Office of Sinclair &
{, Co. and was ushered in for an inter-
view with Donald
She was neatly dressed and very
nicely spoken.
"My sister and / are out all day
my sister being the editor of wom-
ans magazine. want very much to
have you take entire charge of the
home. planning meals and everything
| ly free from worry. 1 will pay you
| 500 month. and there is very
dainty room In our apartment for you.
We are not in any way difficult peo-
ple," he added with rare smile.
Gladys Turner fidgeted in her chair
and tried to speak easily. but her task
was hard. Finally she found her
voice.
FL have never worked In this
way" she confessed. 'That letter is
part Of story I am writing, butt
am not too well fixed financially. and
really am honest and splendid cook
and could manage your household
very easily" She looked up at DON
aid. awaiting his verdict.
That she had quite taken away his
breath was self-evident fact.
"All / ask" she added a triae visit
fully, ''is to be left alone to write
when am finished with your work."
'That seems little enough to ask"
Donald said out of the maze Of his
thoughts.
So 1t happened that an evening later
Jean arrived home after a weary day
to find a daintily set table, beauti-
fully cooked meal and a neat girl in
spotless apron ready to serve her and
her brother in their own dining room.
Donald had sprung many happy sur
prises on his sister, but this crowned
them all. 1t was like dream come
true.
"Are you quite, quite sure will not
awaken to have to run out and get a
few chops, bakers cake and some
timed vegetables for our dinnerY she
questioned Donald.
mot this time, sis. The way / got
that girl would almost make movie
plot. I'll tell you all about it later"
And Gladys reached splendid con-
tentment in the home of the Sinclairs.
She had hours of uninterrupted con-
centration, and her material was find
ing ready markets.
Donald began to feel terribly ae
grieved that he was excluded from the
long confabs held between Jean and
Gladys.
Donald was pacing the floor in lone
some wrath. He frdwned darkly. then
beamed as suddenly.
He strobe into the hall and pounded
on that closed door.
''Well-what's the idea?" asked
Jean.
Nothing, except that am just
darned lonesome. l want to go to the
movies and no one will go with me-"
Jean laughed. 1--WE didn't hear our
selves being invited or even express
ing a dislike for movies"
'Well," blurted Donald II didn't
want Gladys to leave her position for
the same reason as she left the other"
He looked boyishly but very pleading
ly at the two women he loved most on
earth.