The Washington times., 1930-08-19
CHAPTER IA

better than the other"
Cathie thought about it Of
tener than she meant to. 1t
was absurd, of course, and the
woman, Marguerite was assur-
edly not quite right in the
head.
"Is Marguerite responsible"
she asked Mr.. Farnsworth one
evening when she felt she just
had to talk about 1t to some
one.
Responsible? Just what do
you mean by that? he asked
mildly, laying down the even
ing paper.
Responsible. You know
mentally?"
He smiled. II doubt 1t.
Why, has she been up to any
queer tricks?"
"N-no."
"Well you can get rid of her
any time you want to. I've
only kept her this long for SEN
timental reasons ur11
Preferred Commodities is up
again, that's good!" He had
returned to the paper again.
Unless she pressed it, the mat
ter would be dropped.
What do you mean by Senti-
mental reasons, Alfredo"
Family Heirloom ,
"Oh-because Alice Chester's
mother, you know, took her in.
Her mother, a Mrs. Spinney,
was housekeeper here in my
fathers time. The girl was sup
posed to be dying of tuberculo-
sis when Alice found her. Put
her into a home, gave her ev-
cry care, and grateful? Never!
Why we even paid her way
through business college, but
she couldn't or wouldn't learn.
just settled down to being maid
to Alice and after Alice's death
she stayed on as second girl.
Perfectly useless" he granted,
"trying to help that class of
people"
Funny she stayed all these
years." Cathie unused, thinking
of that waving dark red hair
that must have been so beauti-
full once and the sullen eyes and
bitter, Sprawling mouth that
was red and voluptuous still.
"Um. She did leave once, but
she came back. The bad penny.
Now! No more about her. I'm
distressed that I didn't get rid
of her before I brought you
home. Deuced unpleasant char
acter. Marguerite!"
He looked so genuinely dis
turbed, his smooth pink face
flushed. and his mild eyes apol-
ogetic, that Cathie laughed. and
laid her cheek next to his.
FOOLISH" I've enjoyed her.
It has given me something to
think about. I haven't
much to do here, you know"
No More Work
l. there was a note Of wist-
fulness in her voice he didn't
notice it. That's good" he
said, returning to the paper
again. Rest! That's what you
need. You've done your share
of work. dear. Rest and play,
no more workw
Rest and play. And no more
work.
It sounded very nice, but
Cathie was finding it more than
a little difficult. Perhaps if she
could have gone into a new
home. one that she had planned
and furnished herself, it would
have been different. Buy any.
thing you want for the house.
Have it all refurnished if you
want to-" Mr.. Farnsworth told
her, generously. But there
wouldn't be any sense in doing
that. The house was beauti.
fully and completely furnished.
She explored it slowly and care
fully, room by room. There
wasn't a thing left to buy. It
was complete, from the silver
paper knife on the library table
to the orchid enameled hangers
in the guest room closet and the
six dozen linen sheets mono
grammed A. D. F. There wasn't
anything that she could con-
scientiously throw away.
Luxurious Room
Farnsworth had had her
room decorated in the modern
style. It was a symphony in
cool silver and gray with unex-
pected. rather startling touches
Of magenta and turquoise. A
luxurious and beautiful room,
but one that had no relation
ship or sympathy with the rest
of the house. Like me-" she
thought rather sadly. "all
right, but not belonging very
much" ..
The work of the house was
done, as If by clockwork. Slim