The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1926-10-05
BEGIN HERE TODAY

JOHN w. BROOKE. hardware
mnGnate and Svidower. arrnnges
with the Economy and Efficiency
Corporation, Limited. for sciens
t.fic management Of his house.
hold for "a period OF two months
that he viii be out of the city.
He fails to inform his three
children, Constance. WilIIam
SIND Alice, about his plans.
II. HEDGE. efficiency eRgi-
neer. picked to put the order
into effect, breaks the news to
the overwhelmed hetrs-t0-be.
Having proved his right to re-
main. they have dinner. After
wards Hedge orders all the serv-
ants brought before him. He
produces the proxy signed By
the head OF the house and re.
quests close attention.
NOW ca ON WITH THE STORY
nAISING his voice slightly, Hedge
N proceeded once more to read
aloud that extraordinary instru.
ment which began, Il. John w.
Brooke" after the fashion of last
will and testament. He read slowly
and clearly. pausing between
phrases. in order that full com.
rrehension of his words might be
obtaired. When he reached the red
seal. he looked up and folded the
paper.
II am the Hedge referred to In
this document" he said. DO you
Ill understand it?"
The eight servants remained silent
and, with one accord. glanced at
Constance.
You may indicate that you under
stand tiff you really do said Con
stance quietly.
Eight heads nodded.
Very we'll" said Mr.. Hodge. "Re'
turn TO your quarters.
The household help filed out of the
library with funeral steps. FROM
the hallway it was possible to dis
tinguish whispering. mingled with
the noise of retreating footsteps.
The efficiency man walked over 10
a wr.ting:table. seated himself.
picked up pen. ana apparently for
got the existence of III. three
Brool;os Constance. her lips tightly
compressed, retreated to the farther
end of the room and stared into the
glow of an open fire, Billy. un"asliy
plumbing n book. finally tossed 1t
aside and disappeared. The opening
and closing of the front door account
90 for his maneuNer Alice sought
consolation in the Circassia n'walnut
phonograrh She played the loudest
concert records she could find. with
frequent chances in the direction OF
II Hedge ...
I,e was maddeninEly oh'ivious.
Curiosity overcame Alice at length
She pretended to hunt for book.
and the search twice carried her past
The desk at which the efficiency man
WAS working. But even TWO inspec
tions did not enlishten her. he
seemed to he working at problem
bat wholly unlike any she had ever
cncountered at school. liz was max
ing diagrams. doing sums in arith'
metic. and writing memoranda al
VII sitS NftiI'- Sti'Nt VI IssPNi 1919 -
Nas intensely absorbed in his work
half an hour of sil.'nce cnsued ir
the library. and then the efficiency
man looked up suddenly and consult
ed the reading OF large clock thai
stood in q corner
Alice;
The younger of the Hrooke girls
could scarcely beiiev: her ears. She
looked up from her chair and staret
AT him
How old are you?' he asked alb
rl;J,tiN
Alice gasped and turned pink. Sh'
rusn to her feet and stood quivering
IT was outrageous Constance walk''
uiickly 10 her. placed an ;;rm abou
her shoulders and then directed
lnok af scnrn into the -yos of tn
onaStioner.
BY what right you ASK ! do no
Enuw.' she said colby. IT Is easier
however 10 answer the questio
thar Ia argue. Alice is fifteen
That being the case, and III" hou
now being ten O'clock remarked u
I,o|-s. Alice will kindly 90 TO bed.