The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-10-18

out the territory In Whch the LOW thought the scheming widow. No one need know that Ninette has hitherto been my maidof all work, bottle wssner. and general factotum. I'll coach her up a bit in her new duties, and give her hint or two"
 Ninette was in no way slow.
 T can trust you to hold your own with the other maids and valets fin the camp" her mistress had adJured her. 9ou can let them think that
 we run quite smart establish-
 ncnt in New York. Don't let them patronize you. Keep your own end up. And you'll get along all right"
 You can have confidence in me, madame" Ninette had responded, but you have overlooked one iin- rortant matter l have no suitable travelling costume"
 ''Nonserse. Wear the mauve suit
 l gave you three months ago. Or
 the plaid coat
 Ninette turned her eyes up to heaven in holy horror. "Ah. what q 'solecism that the word9 h lsdY,s maid to be so body
 dressed. It k to laugh, madame, is
 Well what can you suggest? Two
 no money to spend on fal-lals for
 yo,i. my good woman"
 'Fal-lals? That would be worse and worse" Ninette had cried out,
 in her most aggravating fashion.
 What require is plain and very
 severe black costume. To this l will
 add white collar and cuffs of lawn.
 l have already bought the hat"
 She had darted to her own room, and returned with highly vanished l>l lo. st h.f nP t0 r
 cut which. though demure and plain
 enough. acquired certain style and piqrancy the moment she adjusted 1t upon her fluffy head. Della had given in. "rIi give you my black serge suit. Heaven knows it's 'severeness,' - about which you make such fuss cost me a pretty penny when 1t was new. It's three years old now, and
 l daresay will fit all right. But take care of it, Ninette." Tonight. on the crowded platform arrayed in the cherished garment
 Ninette might have passed for the discreet handmaid of some million aire.
 Della realized this fact. and was correspondingly pleased. Ninette was so clever at hair dressing too. And she understood face massage. Unless tended, one g complexion suffered somewhat in the mountains from sun and wind. Yes terday, Della had spent s10. purchas 1 ing the necessary creams and as- | tringents and facial preparations. Here comes MT. Ducane." cried the widow She darted forward and
 shook her host-to-be by the hand "Nou look so much stronger, and quite fit for the journey" Sin!thson the butler, appeared now with the tickets, and the party, which Natalie and Della, passed through the i barriers.
 The sleeping car is further along | reserved seats Tn the Pullman next to IT," explained Smithson. A porter deposited Delia's dressing case Inside her compartment, and Ninctte departed to join the other servants.>
 MT. Ducane went straight to bed Della walked down the corridor, and looked out to the platform There was great hustle there. Ex-
 pensive locking luggage was piled lp. The usual commotion which
 heralds the departure of an express was in evidence.
 This is the life" rnurmured she,
 sotto voce. "Traveling de luxe, and no money troubles. She heaved happy sigh Ossy Oberstein and Farrel Gait were already in the mountains. No chance of stray encounter here. She went back to her compart-
 ment and laid out her night clothes which included an exquisite rainbow tinted silk .bournouse' or dressing
 gown. which had been the gift of an Indian potentate whose wife Della
 had once nursed through an ill- ness.
 lThere had been ample financial rewards as well. Clever Della had seen to that)
 MT. Ducane's valet, came along with pile of magazines and a basket of fruit.
 T am instructed to deliver these l to you. madame" he said formally Miss Natalie is in the Pullman. and Mir. Frederick says that if you desire refreshment, will you go along and | join her.''
 He withdrew.
 We'll pleased. Della walked along to. the Pullman, and sat down beside
 Miss Natalie, who was nibbling al | sandwich
 Where's the young secretary, Cap l tain Danby?" queried the widow. q understand he, too, was coming north.
 The girls face was troubled as sh.
 answered;
 He's Fl with fever. and in hos
 pital in town. He isn't coming witf l us.