Omaha daily bee., 1922-06-14
Nowhere


without references,
II the truth must be told. she wa,
a little displeased and considerabl,
ehagrined. even though she herself
had suggested that Violet should
apply ior the berth-she spoke dis
paragingly OF the whole concern anc
voiced the opinion that she con,
sidered il improbable that VioleI
would he there for long.
THE, are so very particular. 20,
see,' she said, eyeing her friend q,
she spoke. "One needs to be so ex.
cellently dressed. and"
Madame has sent me to her owr
dressmaker; they are making me q
black crepe de chine--such a beau.
tiful dress" Violet impaired her
news eagerly; she was excited and
pleased. she hardly noticed Olives
half-heartedness. The two girls were
sitting over the fire in Violet's room
tho boy Ronnie lay asleep in Vio-
let's bed-he had been fretting all
day for his mother, he was worn out
with sobbing.
Olive raised her dark brows-her
mouth looked unfriendly; she began
TO think she had been rather fool
not to apply for that berth herself
Violette's was so infinitely better
class than Gatwick's; realising this.
Violet had refrained from speaking
OF madames emotional horror when
she heard that Violet had once been
employed there for a short time.
WELL" the elder girl said at length,
rising and looking at herself criti-
cally in the glass. "You ought to be
very grateful to me, that's all ! can
say; Il was my idea entirely. and I
only hope you'll keep it," Her tones
said clearly enough that she was
quite sure Violet would not; but
Violet only laughed.
Il mean to try. and ] am eternally
grateful to you; I've got something
to work for now" She looked across
at Ronnie with tender eyes.
Olive shifted inelegantly.
What pleasure there can be in
working for other peoples brats, !
don't know" she said disdainfully;
she crossed the .room and looked
down at the boy quizzically. Hes
got hair just like man used to
know" she said irrilevantly. And
a thorough scamp he was too." Her
voice was hard.
Violet looked annoyed; she laid a
protecting tender hand on Ronnie's
head.
"He has beautiful hair" she said
defensively.
Olive shrugged her shoulders.
"Oh, we'll, it's your affair; I'm
not inquisitivc; ] only hope you're
not undertaking anything you'll be
sorry for. Where's his mother"
Violet hesitated; then
His mother is dead" she said
slowly.
"Ohi And his father?"
II don't quite know. IL think
the father deserted them"
"Humphl same old tale; what
fools women are to get married"
Olive yawned. I'm off to bed"
she announced. She walked to the
door; turned and looked back with
a self-conscious laugh. "Mr. Green
and l are going into the country
tomorrow afternoon" she said with
forced carelessness. Saturday, you
know; we're going to motor down;
it's his brothers car" #
"How loveiyr There was no stint
Of enthusiasm in Violets voice; she
really thought it would be lovely.
She knew Mr.. Green Of the ribbon
department quite we'll, and consid-
cred him insignificant and domineer-
ing, but she quite appreciated that it
might be rather nice to go motoring
into the country with him, even al
though the car were his brothers and
that brother butcher with reputa-
ton for selling frozen meat at Eng
lish prices; it was not Mr.. Green that
counted at all but the car, for Violet
had never been in a car in her life.
/. Olive smiled. sYes. it will be
rather nice" she agreed indifferently.
II shall wear my new hat with the
cherry colored wing, and the mole
cloth coat; daresay we shall 90
quite a long way. Mr.. Green sug-
gcsted Chesham; have you ever been
to Chesham? It's perfectly ravish-
aNo" Violet's eyes were wistful.
She had not been in the country for
months and months. though some-
times at night she dreamed Of win
dows that stood open to the WOODS
and the sweet pungent smell OF new
mown hay.
Olive opened the door and yawned
again.
"Oh. well, night-night. I'll bring
you back some flowers" She walked
out OF the room.
Violet listened to the shutting Of
the door and the elder girls slow
Steps up the stairs to the room
above: then she turned suddenly,
opened the door and called her name
softly.
Olive"
WELL"
Olive. was at the top Of the mar
row stairs; she had already pulled
the cheap combs from her hair and
unfastened her blouse at the throat;
they had been stock taking at Cat
wick's and she really was very tired.
Violet ran up the stairs to her.
81 wonder if you would mind
posting letter for me tomorrow?
mot in London, but in the country,
when you get to Chesham."
Her face was little flushed; her
voice nervous.
Olive laughed.
"Is it billet doux?"
"No, Of course not, but IL don't
want it to be postnarked London,
that's all; lists Just an answer
to an advertisement" ~"
"AIl right, give it to me.
Violet drew an envelope from her
dress. but she still clung to it almost
ncrvously. .
Promise me you won't post it till
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