The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1932-04-07

hers was family of the highest type
of maids. One aunt had been in the
DelpOnt family for twenty-five years,
and at one time her first cousin had
been employed in the White House.
When Joe Porter had first mentioned
marriage to Cornelia Allen she had
hesitated although she did love him.
"Well, I'll never marry anybody
else," he vowed. you're as pretty as
a little picture and your folks are all
honest and fine people, and love you
and I believe you love me, too. Isn't
that reason enough why we should
get married."
Cornelia said nothing for moment,
she merely permitted him to keep his
arm around her, which was sort Of
consent, he considered, since she never
had done this before. She did love
him, she knew she did.
''But, Joe, 1 wanted to go up in my
work-get to be ladies' maid to some
body big in society,"" she protested, and
her dark eyes so close to his looked
troubled, almost tragic.
"That don't matter" he answered.
They'll never love you like l do,
honey, so you'd better take me-"
1t was a wrench to give up her am
bitiOn, but at last she consented and
once done She ave herself up entire
ly to her new ans In life, and as the
days sped by he grew happier and
happier.
She was in the midst Of doing her
work on the fifth floor one day when
she received summons to go to the
office Of Mr.. Williams. the manager,
at once. Puzzled, she hurried down
and found her employer talking to
stranger whom she supposed to be a
guest. He seemed disturbed about
something and would scarcely let Mr..
Williams speak, but with gesture Of
the hand the manager silenced him
and addressed the maid himself.
"Cornelia, did you clean up SIG this
morning." he asked.
"Yes," answered the girl, her face
suddenly paling. "Why2 What's the
matter?"
"You know what's the matter"
broke in the guest.
Il don't!" protested the girl on the
verge of tears.
did you let anyone else in the
room while you were cleaning it?
mean, did any of the other maids come
IMP" continued the manager.
mo, sir, I was the only one in and
/ locked the door as soon as 1 had
finished"
well, you have my wallet. then,
with SIG in it." broke In the guest
angrily, because l left 1t under my
pillow and forgot to take it downtown
when l left this morning. AS soon as
I missed 1t rushed back to my room
and it was gone. You may both come
up and look"
Together the three took the elevator
to the fifth floor and hurried down the
long, red-carpeted corridor to room
516. After a thorough search they
were forced to give 1t up. The wallet
was not under the mattress nor on the
floor beneath the bed. In fact, 1t was
apparently nowhere.
"Go on to the servants quarters"
ordered the manager harshly, and Cor
nelia fled out Of the room. But she
did not 60 to the servants quarters,
instead she sought out Joe and told
him of her undeseryed disgrace.
"Kid, you never did It," he declared,
holding her close. Sand I'll break
anybody's face who comes here saying
you did"
"I'm so g-glad you still b-believe in
me-" Cornelia said, clinging to him.
you're the only one that d-does. I'll
be ashamed to look at anybody around
here after it gets out because most of
emil think l did steal it-going to be
married and everything. they'll think
wanted it to buy clothes with. Oh,
Joe, I'm so wretched." And again she
burst into tears. "YoulI be disgraced
If you marry me because there's lotsll
always believe did It."
"They'll not either. They know you
too we'll"
But Joe was wrong. By noon the
news had seeped out and at lunch Cor
nelia could not eat. for the suspicious
glanees that were shot In her direc-
ton and whispered mumblings that
went on among the servants.
The next morning the manager sent
for her again and she was Mortified to
see the same guest sitting there at the
side Of the desk. This time Mr.. VIII
liams let the other man do the talk
ing.
Here's a twenty for you" he said
81 found my wallet. I'd slipped 1t in
side the inner pillow slip when I
thought 1 was Just putting 1t under
my pillow. As soon as I lay down
last night felt 1t under my head.
Sorry it happened"
IL don't want your twenty dollars"
SAND COrnelia, with the dignity Of a
princess, "but I'm glad you found your
purse. All want is that you or Mr..
Williams tell the servants at dinner
today that l did not take it."
"Be glad to-" said the manager
warmly.
Once out of the Office, she shed her
fIy< a. nj ND L.