Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1930-05-16
She Loaned
and Lost
By RUBY DOUGLAS

NSSPSAihAHI
THE telephone on the tiny table
L beside Mrs. Van Warmers chalse
lounge tinkled. It was the only tele-
phone in the house that merely tlnkled
and its possessor had spent much eff
fort in having the bell thus subdued.
Problems such as these were the most
welghty matters that fell upon the
pretty shoulders Of the mistress Of
Holme Hillside.
"Yes?" she said, putting her lips
to the glass transmitter. "Oh, yes.
Why"
There was long pause while Clar-
Ice Van Warner evidently listened to
an amusing conversation.
"But-of course. / couldn't refuse
to let you have him-if you really
think 1t would be all right. Yes, In
deed, I'll have him there at nine sharp.
Goodby, DEAR"
Clarice's neighbor, II one living two
miles distant on the next estate may
be called nelghbor, Helen Simpson,
had made most unusual request
II Clarice would lend Hawkins, the
new English butler at Holme Hillside,
to her for the evening.
"You see, my dear, have a guest
for the week-end-a girl from London,
who Is perfectly mad about bridge, and
Tom and l are just ordinary players.
The snow has cut us off so thoroughly
from communication with the rest Of
our friends that l was wondering II
1t couldn't be done with safety. Nellie
is sailing home next week. We have
four others In the house for another
table and the happy idea came to me
to ask you for Hawkins. He's really
quite gentleman. | know he plays
the game because | have seen him
watch us over at your house as we
played when he was getting bite Of
supper ready for us. He can be mere
ly q house guest at neighbours home
come to play bridge with us-and
that's that"
Hawkins did not intimate by the
flutter Of an eye-lash whether the idea
would be distasteful or agreeable to
him.
At the Simpsons he was greeted as
a friend and acted his part admirably.
The tables were ready and he was pre-
scented to his partner, Miss Hutchin-
son.
No one noticed the several shades
OF pallOr that chased each other across
the face Of the little English guest.
Neither DID they observe the effort
with which James Hawkins he'd him
self together when he beheld "a. part.
ner..
The game progressed and bot young
people had resumed calm that
seemed almost natural. Both played
n good game of cards and the hostess
thought she had made great success
Of her daring venture.
When the game was over there was
to be the usual bite to eat, served on
the card tables by the Preside.
Hawkins rose and spoke to his hos
tess 81 am taking a train tonight
Mrs. Simpson-perhaps my hostess
told your"
"Oh-I'm sorry-but II you must go
trains are most uncertain In this
weather and driving Is treacherous."
Helen was relieved and yet she was q
little sorry to have the fellow depart.
He had proved himself so good part
ner. What tommy-rot caste lines were,
she thought.
Nellie Hutchinson was torn between
hopelessness at having lost again the
man whom she had loved for years
and who had gone out to America from
their home In England to make good"
before claiming her hand-and relief
at the strain she had been under to
keep her knowledge of him secret
from those who were about.
Seven of them sat about the fire
and chatted about the game, discuss
Ing, among other features, the charm
and excellence In skill Of their new
acquaintance, Mr.. Hawkins.
"He Is guest-or was-at the
rhorne home just down the Lane"
nbbed Helen gllbly. "Qulte llkeable
chap thought"
The telephone bell rang In the hall
Helen herself answered II.
"My dear, II is for you" she said,
surprised, and speaking to Nellie. IAN
unknown lover--at this hourp
Nellie sought the telephone and
closed the small closet that en-
closed Il.
"Jlm-" she uttered.
"Nellle--"
And then the butler of Holme Hill
side explained to her what was taking
place. He was investigating the do
nestle service situation IN America fOI
a series Of labor articles for an Eng
lish magazine and he had been finding
out at first hand just what we're the
vexIng problems. He had written TO
her but no reply had ever reached him
md his faith alone was holding him
close to the belief that she was still
waiting for him.
A few days afterwards Clarlce Van
Warner called up her young friend
Helen to tell her that the splendid
butler was leaving. whatever did you
do to him that nIghtT she asked.
"NothIng. my dear" Helen replied
but am dying to talk to you about
something that seems all very mys
terlous TO me. A phone call late thai
night-NellIe's sudden engagement IN
town the next day and--now-Haw
klns leaving ri be over"
But by the time the two friends hnd
been able TO get together, the story
had slipped oul aud the romance was
being discussed In every group.
Nellie Hutchinson had married be-
old lover Hawkins the butler pro
tenn. of Holme Hillside
DR.. z. ERNEYHOUGH,