The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-03-22
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

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THE maid in the smart gray uni
l. form who opened the door
said, yes. Mrs. Curtis is expecting
you. Won't you come IMP"
Janet was ushered into a sunlit
living room and then the maid dis
appeared. 1t was a large room with
green walls hung with great many
pictures.
The heavy, wine colored curtains
at the windows dropped to the floor
and the sunlight, falling on the car
! pet, gave it pattern Of light and
! darkness.
There seemed to be good deal
Of furniture and yet somehow the
room was not crowded. There were
book shelves between the windows
and there was a fireplace with a
mirror above the mantle.
1t was pleasant room. Cheerful.
Colorful. Comfortable.
Janet sank into a chair to wait.
She never had seen a room like
this before. She never had been
in such large, imposing house,
either. Janet sat up very straight,
feeling a trifle self-conscious.
Then she heard footsteps and a
woman with gray hair appeared in
the doorway.
II am Mrs. Curtis she said. and
you are Miss Hill? How do you do"
Mrs. Curtis moved forward. She
was slightly less than medium
height, stout little woman with the
pink and white complexion that
often goes with stoutness.
She had a round face and a double
chin. Impossible to imagine any one
more in contrast to Bruce Hamil-
tons sparse, rangy figure and yet
there was something that was alike
about them.
Janet arose. Eyes, I'm Miss Hill"
she said. SMr. Hamilton told me
you're looking for a secretary"
The woman motioned Janet back
into her chair and sank into one
facing it.
Yes" she said, nodding. Its my
brothers idea. I've never had a sec
rotary, but since my daughter was
married I've been alone here. Per-
hapS too much alone! My brother
tells me you've very efficient"
TT was the dark eyes, Janet de-
Il cided, that made Mrs. Curtis and
Mrs. Hamilton look alike. Only Mrs.
Curtis was little and plump and in
effectual, while Bruce Hamilton was
big and brusque and dictatorial.
Janet found herself quite suddenly
agreeing with Hamilton that his
sister did need some one to man
age her affairs.
She smiled. I've been at the
Every Home office for more than
two years." she said. THE work
here would be different, imagine,
but I'd try to do it just as you
wanted me to-"
That seemed to be all there was
to it. Janet sat for ten or fifteen
minutes longer and listened while
Mrs. Curtis talked rather vaguely
about the duties she wanted her
secretary to take over.
She didn't ask questions about
Janet's past experience She didn't
even say definitely that Janet was
hired for the position, but seemed
to assume that was understood.
When would you want me to
come to work?" the girl asked.
rs next Monday too soon?"
No, Janet said, it wasn't too
soon. Hamilton had arranged that
she was to be free at the end of
the week.
About the salary" Janet be-
gan hesitantly.
Mrs. Curtis gave a little exclama-
ton. I'D forgotten all about that!"
she said. Dear me! Dear me!
Well, Of course, you're to live here
in the house and thereIl be no ex-
penses of any sort.
Would $50 a week be satisfac-
tory to begin with.
Janet computed rapidly Thirty
dollars week with no living ex-
penSes was considerably more than
she had been earning at the Every
Home Office. Why, it was almost
equal to $50!
That will be satisfactory" she
said. And I'll be ready to go to
work Monday morning"
There was a light sound beside
her and Janet turned. A huge yell
low Persian cat wearing a blue rib
bon about its neck stood eying her.
The cat arched its neck inquiringly.
ooh, there's BuSter!" Mrs. Curtis
exclaimed. "He always comes to see
who's here. Buster, come say how
do-you-do to Miss Hill"
The cat, instead of showing any
signs Of friendliness, remained
planted where it was.
It's a beautiful creature" Janet
said admiringly. This was the ami
NAL, of course, of which Hamilton
had spoken.
1t was plain to be seen that Bus
er was a favored member of the
household.
I've had him since he was a kit
ten Mrs. Curtis explained. He's
years old now and such an intelli-
gent cat"
y y
4 LII at once Buster interrupted
"a this conversation. Slowly he
strolled forward and brushed
against Janet's knee. He said,
"Merow!" and then, lightly,
gracefully, leaped into her lap.
Why, Buster!" Mrs. Curtis cried.
why, did you ever see anything
like that? Imagine, getting right
into your lap.
Buster never makes friends with
strangers so quickly. Well, now, isn't
that wonderful"
1t didn't seem particularly We
derful to Janet, but it did seem to
settle one thing. Since Buster had
accepted her, there was no doubt
that Janet was hired as Mrs. Curtis
social secretary.
! When she left the house q few