The Washington times., 1930-08-16
CHAPTER IL

Mr. tarnSWorLn was glaQ TO
be home again. after all,
there's no place like home" he
said, sinking into the big arm
chair in front Of the fire after
he had had his tea.
Cathie smiled rather wanly.
She wondered If she would ever
come to think Of this as home.
It seemed so big, so full of
dark corners, and it was so
oppressively quiet. Her own
voice sounded strange and
loud, when she said, Eyes
isn't it?"
To cover her confusion she
got UP and moved around the
room, examining a Sevres vase,
q Dresden bon-bon box, q file
Of magazines in red morocco
covers. She felt like a fish out
Of water.
1T must be a very large
house" she said, just to be say
ing something.
"Oh, yes. Twelve rooms. Not
counting the servants quar-
ters."
"I wonder if I'll be able to
manage it." she said doubt
don't you?"
What's that" Mr.. Farms
worth sat up sharply. The
warmth of the fire. after the
long drive, was making him
nod
Hostess Role
"I was just wondering If I'd
be able to-to take care of 1t all
for you. I'm not used to a big
house and entertaining, you
know. I'm afraid I'll be very
stupid"
Nonsense, my dear. Cheong
takes full charge. I don't enter.
tain much"
"Ohp
After another pause, in which
her husband was visibly fight
ing to keep his eyes open, Cathie
said, Who's Cheong?"
"Cheong? Oh, he's the boss
Chinaman. He has been with
me for years. Takes care of
everything. Ring the bell, will
you. Cathie? I'd better intro
duce him"
Tell Cheong I want to see
him here" he told the young
China boy who answered the
ring.
"He cook dinner now. I call
him."
In a moment Cathie heard the
shuffling of slippers on the
waxed floor. A very fat. very
old Chinaman in a long white
apron stood bowing in the door
way.
This is Mrs. Farnsworth, the
new mistress of the house."
Farnsworth said, presenting
Cathie.
The old Chinaman bowed
again without really looking at
her, but Cathie had the odd sem
Sation that he could have de-
scribed her minutely from the
top Of her head to the soles of
her feet; that he had already
satisfied his curiosity about her.
Il am your obedient servant"
he said In perfect, ceremonious
English.
Nov that's settled" Farms
worth said. IF you want any
thing all you have to do is see
Cheong. He managers every.
thing. Sit down for a few min
utes and rest. child. Then I'll
show you the house."
Just Tired
Cathie sat in her chair, turn
Ing the leaves of magazine.
Mr.. FarnSworth dozed in his.
From time to time he caught
his breath in a sort of gasping
snore. Cathie wiped her eyes
stealthily. She thought, I'm
tired, that's what's the matter
with me. If / could get a bath
and get dressed I'd be all right"
She looked around the room
for the bell. but didn't see it.
An. agony Of shyness came over
here. She COULDN'T get used to
this she'd NEVER be able to
feel that she belonged.
A clock in the hall struck five.
This was perfect nonsense. Once
she'd had a bath and unpacked
she'd be all right. b..
She got UP and wandered out
onto the hall. Doors were open,
disclosing viStaS of other large,
dim rooms. Feeling like an
overbold guest she began to
ascend the beautiful winding
stairway that led to the second
floor. Nothing to stop her from
going up 1t was going to be
her home. wasn't it?
Another large, Squar3 hall up-
stairs. More doors, some of
them open, some closed. Vistas
Of more large, dim rooms. While
she stood hesitating, wonder
ing II she dared ring for some
one, or If she ought to return
to the drawing room and wait
for her husband, one Of the
closed doors opened. and the
woman, Marguerite. came out,
her arms heaped high with
snowy towels.
Naughty Glare
Cathie opened her mouth to
speak. The woman gave her a
contemptuous stare. and turned
on her heel. In a moment
Cathie heard the click Of her
big heels on the uncarpeted