Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1923-03-30

dressed, diluted her ladyship's disap-
proval a little.
81 need not examine you as to your
capacity for your duties, or your char
acter. These have been vOuched for
by Lord Scroope. My h~ousekeeper VIII
instruct you In the rules Of the estab-
lishment, which all my domestics are
required to keep rigidly. There Is,
however, one warning that I must give
you"
She was interrupted by the arrival
of the butler with a telegram. Lady
Erythea opened it; It's message was
not unwelcome to her.
"Car broken down. Regret impos-
sible arrive J~ervaulx. No time. Must
leave for Closeminster tonight.
"ANTHONY."
'sThere is no answer" she said to
the butler. Lord Scroope is prevent
ed from coming. Cancel the orders /
rave you regarding his arrival"
every good, my lady,"
Aimee'g heart leaped with joy. But
her face remained unmoved. She con-
tinued to look demurely at the carpet.
II was about to warn YOU" said
Lady Erythea, that your predecessor
was discharged at a moments notice
for allowing one of my menservants
to make advances to her of an anna
tory nature"
81 don't understand, my lady," said
Aimee family.
"She permitted" said Lady Erythea
grimly, my chauffeur to kiss her."
The startled look of horror and dis
gust which Aimee's features respect
fully expressed, carried conviction
even to Lady Erythea's mind.
ut is an unpleasant subject" said
her ladyship, (which l should have
wished to spare myself mentioning to
you. It was necessary, however, to
clear the ground. 1 hope to hear good
reports of you. You may go to the
servants hall"
Aimee bobbed to her mistress, and
left the room quietly. Outside she
found Mr.. Tarbeaux waiting for her.
Everything depends on the angle from
which one regards so supreme a person
as the butler. The new parlor maid
looked at him timidly. Mr.. TarbeauX,
with an air of mingled satisfaction and
apprehension, conducted her to the
women-servants' hall. The ~housekeep-
err was absent.
At Jervaulx the male and female
servants we're segregated in separate
apartments for meals. Mr.. Tarbeaux
took his charge to a room next the
vast kitchens, where a meat tea was
in progress, presided over by a cook
of vast adiposity. The pageboy was
the only male in the room. Mr.. Tar
beaux presented the newcomer in
form.
ladies'" he said gravely. Miss
Amy Shocks. Late of Scroope Tow
ers." And took his leave.
Aimee said ~"good-evening'' shyly,
and seated herself. 1t occurred to her
that she had never seen so many plain
women gathered at one table. With
the exception of the cook, they were
all angular and scraggy. Pulling her.
self together with an effort, Aimee
took a generous mouthful from a slice
of thick bread and butter. The fewer
words the better, until she knew her
ground. She seemed to detect an air
of faint hostility in the others.
"What's the feedin' like at %Scroope?"
asked an elderly housemaid opposite
her, in a hollow voice. -
"They fare pretty good" said Aimee,
with her mouth full of bread and but
ter, 'but the place is dull. I been at
home some time"
"You won't be ere long," said the
pageboy regretfully, neglecting his tea
to stare at her.
"Why not?" said Aimee with some
pertness.
you're a sight too good-loohin'," re
piled the page gloomily.
albert p said the cook with aus
terity, pass this cup O. tea an dcu'i
talk rubbish 7"
Aimee took refuge behind her stone
ware teacup. She was aware Of q
crossfre of glances, so sour and side
long, that the very milk seemed to
curdle in sympathy.
The morning sun, full of the prom
Use of a fair day. shone through the
windows Of the long drawing room.
Aimee, in a snow-white cap and apron
was welding a feather brush among
priceless k~nick-knacks. Her manner
Of busting was desultory.
Il wonder how long I can stick it?'
she murmured in respondent tones. A
Vatican shepherdess escaped destruc-
ton by a miracle.
I'm all my life I never saw such a
lot of frumps. And the taste it leaves
In ones mouth-it's awful. It's all
very well sitting tight and saying
nothing. 1 shall break out know 1
shall, unless l can see Billy soon."
She observed a large photograph Of
the Rev. and Hon. Alexander Lambe,
- H..