Evening star., 1926-08-05
Phoebe's Black Day.
PAIGE had known from
the first sound of Mrs. Apple.
toms voice that morning that
She WAS going TO have a black

II tons voice that morning that
II she was going to have black
Gay Charlotte. the Irish cook,
knew it, too. She shook her head
tlolefuliy.
Sure. we'll have TO toe the mark
today. sdarlint. ! know the signs,
she said.
When Mrs. Appleton's voice had a
certain pitch the girls insher kitchen
trembled. And it had that pitch this
morning. Without doubt something
had gone wrong. What it was they,
of course. did not know. 1t might
have been that she had had words
with Mr.. Appleton, or her latest dress
did not fit or Mrs. Cobb, who was her
rival. had got ahead of her socially in
some way. But whatever it was II
had produced a dangerous mood.
Wen do well. darlint, if the one or
the other doesn't get her 6. b. before
this day is over" Charlotte said 'I
shan't cry my eyes out if it's me, be-
cause Mrs. Cobb will give me So more
a week. But if it's you, darlint, twill
be different. You'll have TO so back
home, eh?"
Yes" Phoebe's eyes filled with
tears. She tried to hide them by turn
ing her back upon her companion and
polishing a silver server with all her
might.
To so home meant a re-entering
upon disruptive scenes of a house.
hold where a stepmother ruled half
dozen noisy youngsters. 1t meant go
ing back to the small room where she
had TO sleep with three in a bed. and
being reminded constantly that she
ought to be taking care of herself.
In due time, no doubt, she would get
another position like her present one,
or she could so to work in the mill il
that did not necessitate her using her
eyes too much.
Two months before Phoebe's hopes,
dreams. ambitions had, like fairy pic.
lures. been swept off the screen be.
fore her and general blackness had
ensued. Her eyes had given out. At
Afiller'S she had to work under too
strong a light, but she had never
dreamed what the light. combined
with the white pages of her ledger,
were doing to her eyes until she was
forced to consult a specialist. Then
she was told that she must give up
her work, for she was on the point of
hEoing blind.
She had worked hard for that posi-
TSion at Aliller's. Her father had
helped her to business course and
she had kstormed through the pre.
Asscribed curriculum, earned fine rec
sommendation and got a good position
at once. Then, just as she was get
ting used to her S25 a week and her
nice little room at Mrs. Cory's and
had a tiny savings bank account and
was getting her stepmother in an af
fable frame of mind because of the
many things she was able to do for
the kids-snap! went her eyes, and it
was all DYER.
She couldn't stay at home: that was
certain. In no time at all her savings
were gone, her stepmother was bor-
rowing her clothes. and the children,
now that she could not do for them.
were impudent So she answered an
advertisement and Mr.. Appleton hired
her as second girl.
Hard as all this was, Phoebe could
have borne it but for one thing. In
leaving MillerS she had lost the first
and perhaps the only bit of romance
and happiness her life would ever
know.
He had worked in the same office.
only where she had earned $25 a
week he had earned $50, and he had
a prospect of doing even better. His
name was John Hurd. and he was the
brightest, cleanest, kindest John that
ever lived. Twice he had taken her
to lunch and once to the theater.
Then she came away. lost herself to
him and it was all over.
He had never tried to find her. and
1t was just as we'll because he
wouldn't want a second girl for his
wife. Besides. there was a girl in the
Office lots prettier than Phoebe. who
perhaps had won his liking by this
time.
Considering all these things, it was
h1 F1I& Xf,o& Oh
was entering upon the blackest day
of her life. 1t was no use crying, no
use praying. Once she caught herself
looking at the creek that ran near
the house. 1t was swollen full, and
a heavy object would be swept to the
river and out of sight forever. She
Shuddered.
I'm a fool" she thought phoebe
Paige. you just get a grip on yourself
before YOU are doing: something ride
uIouS'
II was at lunch that the wrath of
Mrs. Appleton descended upon Phoebe. |
Mrs. Appleton was lunching alone; her
husband had not come home, and |
charlotte said she knew Mr.. Appleton |
,never came home to meals when there |
thad been words" Phoebe, trembling |
q little with nervousness, was pouring |
a. glass of water when ii upset-some |
%ay-Clrenching the fresh lunch cloth |
and landing a puddle in Mrs. Apple |
tons satin lap. She was dressed to |
go out.
You may 60" Mrs. Appleton said. |
You annoy me SO dreadfully! You |
may so straight home. | will not |
keep servant who is so reprehen- |
sibly careless as you are. This satin |
spots dreadfully. Go, ! will send you |
a check for sNOllr
Phoebe went back to the kitchen, |
very white.
I'm going" she said to Charlotte. |
tDarlint.' Charlotte commiserated. |
She tried TO put her arms about the /
girl but Phoebe drew away.
Don't, Charlotte, dear" she said.
Fifteen minutes later she walked