Red Lodge daily news combined with Carbon County news., 1932-05-26
Chapter 29
THE MOST SUBTLE ENEMY

THE MOST SUBTLE ENEMY
mVoUvE been every one Of the
seven ages of man" was Eddie 8
greeting. He leaned against the win
low and she noticed that he was
gripping the curtain in an odd way,
and that he was pale; but she was
lull of her grievance.
Evidently that woman Jenny dis
covered isn't competent she eN-
claimed. THE only sign of her in the
kitchen is the relics of her dinner"
Woman? Oh, that cook person.
EDDIE abandoned the curtains and
slowly seated himself. "She was COM
Detent all right but she got on my
nerves Too darn competent, like
hose nurses at the hospital so
bright and cheerful the whole time,
nearly screamed"
We'll, l hope that whoever took
1e- place"
Jenny and I have been taking l..
We thot it would save you monay
and she's a good cook, Jen is. She
teaches me bit every day. Had
some of my cake?"
Does Jenny's cooking extend to
any kind of an evening meale' she
tsked curtly. "Or do we manage with
bread and cheese while she has eight
courses at Rochester gate?"
Good lord Eddie pulled himself
,rect in the old chair. Il clean forgot
We've been having a midday dinner
Ind a supper like they do in the
country, but we've collected an EN-
argency store in case you came home
Unexpectedly. There's a whole shelf
If timed things
Thanks, I'd rather not" shrugged
5eorgie. Not at any rate, until I've
oeen strengthened by a cocktail" She
pulled open the cupboard door and
stopped, peering. I'VE don't seem to
have anything but empty bottles -
rightfully awkward If anyone drop
oed in for a chat Really, if Jenny
g going to play housekeeper she
must do it elsewhere, | need some-
)ne reliable"
She had not meant to go so far,
Ter own words had carried her away;
,ut she was prepared to stand b.
them. Jenny took too much on her
self, anyway.
''Eddie?" Was it possible that he
lad not heard her? He was so mo-
.ionless.
What's the matter?" she whis-
oered.
Eddie shook his head in his hands.
'Nothing's the matter" He sound
ID drowsy. 81 get sleepy, suddenly,
ike this. When / get = when | hear
a crash. Thot | heard crash in the
street just now
How odd" At a loss, she giggled
and saw the blood mount to his
ace. Then, feeling that she could bite
out her laundering tongue she ran
across to him and took his head in
her arms, grading it gently" You
nave forty winks, old darling. while
I open all the emergency tins at
,nce''
His lips touched her nair as she
released him but when she locked
back at the door he was asleep. She
vent quietly back to the kitchen and
pulled Jenny's overall over her apr
sot gown.
Half an hour later. flushed and
anxious, she took off the overall-and
'ound Eddie in the doorway.
Evoke to find the place aim with
smoke he grinned unsympathetic :
ally. "Thot it was a fire until ! re-
membered you were cook tonight. Can
do anything? Jenny showed me a
'irst- class way of making eggs"
Fortunately, she showed me once,
:oo," laughed George That's all We
shall get, I'm afraid the omelette
pegs to be excused. And there ate
some cheese -straws I've warmed up
n the oven. And there will b some
,offee-I really can make that"
did Jenny show you?"
Il believe she did. Actually, 1t
was George who had taught, Jenny,
out she was glad to make amends
when she recollected her attitude of
superiority. "Sit down, Ed. Our first
neal together"
'D'you mind If I take my coat
off?" Eddie was asking. ITS hot in
acre. And I've got into the way of
ever since Mrs. Bigger told me
that it flustered her to see a man
sitting with his coat on in the eve-
hing"
who on earth is Mrs. Bigger"
MY landlady. She has a shop
George pulled herself together.
"Oh, opposite that hotel where Jen-
1ey is staying?"
"She's back here, now. She has the
.oom you got ready for my dressing
room" He met her gaze suddenly
IF l hurt your feelings just now
when l spoke about your job with ole
Matching, I'm truly sorry, girl.
know, by what Jenny has told me
how you saved to make this place
-eady for me. But you wouldn't thinl
ne anything of fellow If l were tC
AXE up my quarters in that pretty
little room and just live on YOU
oounty; you wouldn't, honestly"