Evening star., 1932-08-21

Your legs don't seem hardly strong
enough to stand on"
They weren't, if Jean had admitted
the truth, but she had the faculty OF
summoning her will power to carry
her in triumph over many crisis. She
was wasted, pathetic little figure when
she was dressed. To test her strength
she walked slowly about the room
collapsing presently on the chaise
Tongue. "Oh, Mrs. Robbins, I cant
walk downstairs, I'm afraid"
Here, what's all this?" Marcia Eagar
demanded, coming quietly in, unan-
nounced.
Marcia, I'm so darned weak I cant
walk
Now don't you worry, miss. I'll see
that you get down all right" and Mrs
Robbins hurried from the room.
My coat and hat are in the closet
Marcia-will you get them? And put
this letter for Mr.. Webster on the desk
there so that the nurse will be sure
to see it and give 1t to him; here's a
note for her, too. telling her not to
will understand all about it when he
reads my letter"
Mrs Robbins came back followed by
the butler. who was sullen and reluctant
Jean restrained laugh as he stalked
across the room and picked her up as
If she were a piece OF luggage.
Mind your business, there" warned
Mrs Robbins. You're not carryin q
trunk!"
Thank you so much, Mrs Robbins, ~
Jean called over Benson's shoulder to
the obliging housekeeper. You've been
lovely 70 me-" As she was carried
through the wide halls and out to the
waiting car, she caught glimpse of
Martin Webster's home. It's magnifi-
cence aWed her.
Thank goodness" Jean sighed, as
she sank back in the car and they drove
away.
WAep Martin Webster arrived home
the f6owing day. earlier than he was
expec,Cd, and discovered that Jean had
been permitted to leave, every one from
nurse to cook had occasion to wish
that they possessed some sort of magic
by which they could spirit Jean back
into the big bed upstairs again.
1T was her that made me do it," ac-
cused Benson. When she fixes them
arguin' eyes on me and says. Benson,
I want no excuses! Why, I just goes
and does it against me better wishes,
sir"
I'm perfectly willing to take the
blame" declared Mrs. Robbins, her lips
set in a straight line of defiance. IT
did tell him to do it and he carried the
poor thing like she was a sack Of
-four"
Get out of here, both of you. Ben
son. you're fired, do you hear?"
Yes, sir. Now, sir, or tomorrow,
Now, and make it snappy. You,
too, Mrs, Robbins. Ill give you until
six minutes to clear out"
1t was more than an hour later
when Martin encountered Mrs. Robbins
in the hall downstairs
will you be home to dinner, Mr..
Martini" she asked.
Robbie, l ought to choke you," he
said. mo, won't be home to din
ner."
Mr.. Martin, think the young lady
was worried about something"
What makes you think SOP"
Il don't rightly know. She says I
amt bad girl. Mrs. Robbins, but a
friendless, unhappy one"
She said that? Go on and tell me
everything that happened"
Seeing an opportunity to placate her
irate employer, the housekeeper waxed
voluble. Then she played her trump
card, which she had only just remem-
bered. Did the nurse give you the
letter the young lady wrote. Mr.. Mar
tin?"
letter. No! Did she leave a let
ter?"
Now, amt that Just likeS them
nurses-you can't trust them with a
thing! I'll see If can find it for you,
sir, right away" She went to her own
desk, where she had put the letter as
soon as she discovered 1t, and now
brought it to Martin with a self-right-
eous gesture.
Thank you, Bobbie," glowed Martin,
as he eagerly seized the letter from her
hands. BY the way. you needn't go.
and you can keep Benson if you can
stand his eXasperating ways"
She smiled. Thank you, sir, al
ready told him he could stay
CTo be continued)