The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-03-23


 SLOtUly nodded.
 a smile twisted her lips. She ex- tended her hand.
 My dear girl,' she said, "come right in and make yourself at home. I've been trying to get Jarvis to get a secretary for his home work for long while. I'm suited him."
 She turned to her husband.
 Ut was rather sudden. wasn't 1t, Jarvis? l mean. finding one who happened to suit you"
 Millicent, to her surprise, heard an entirely different tone of voice issuing from the lips of the man who had figured 80 prominently in her life during the past "A hours.
 "f'm not certain" he said cas. ually, that she'll do."
 He turned and eyed her, much as if he had been looking over horse he contemplated buying.
 At any rate," he said, "sht's the best available. I'm going to give her 0 thorough trial. We'll make her comfortable in the blue room, and
 The smile faded from Cynthia Happ's face. There was no frown, no expression of irritation, no slightest sign of annoyance, but her voice was cold with flnality. She said, Mot in the blue room, Jarvis. my dear. We'll put her in the rose roon."
 And Jarvis Happ made no att tempt at argument.
 "Yes, my dear" he said, ''the rose room, certainly"
 Once more the smile flashed back upon Cynthia Happ's face. It was a smile of greeting, con- patronizlng solicitude, just the right touch of hospitality = the correct greeting one would reserve for q secretary who must be re- ceived. in many ways, as one of the family.
 Come in, Miss Grabes. Winton will show you to your room."
 She took Millicent's arm. The clutch seemed utterly without wormth, yet seemed, in some strange way, to thrill the girl with a sense of latent power.
 "Winton,' she said, ''show Miss Grabes to the rose room. And where is your baggage, Miss
 Tt will be here tomorrow" Jarvis said.
 Not even a suitcase for to- night?" his wife inquired.
 This time Jarvis was firm. He turned to face her. I've taken the liberty" he said, ''of having clothes for Miss Grabes sent out from one of the department stores. You will find the pack ages in care of the housekeeper, Winton, and you will see that they are placed in Miss Grabes' room."
 He turned to Millicent and said, I'm very sorry your trunk was unavoidably misplaced. but think you will find a complete outfit in the things which I have ordered for you"
 She would have said something, but the expression on his face caused her to remain silent.
 He took a step forward, stood politely to one side. waiting for his wife and Millicent to precede him. A wooden-faced butler man aged. without changing his ex- precision In the least, to make Millicent Grabes feel like some- thing the cat had dragged, in from a grabage pail.
 ''This way, please" he said.
 With ponderous steps he led the way up wide flight of stairs, dnun n nnrrtdnr door, seemed to audibly sniff as he said, The rose room, Miss
 Millicent Graves stepped into a sumptuously appointed bedroom. A tiled bath was visible at one side. Wide windows furnished plenty oi ventilation. She wanted to ex- claim with pleasure but, under the cynical eye of the butler. she step- ped through the doorway and into the room. The butler followed her, closed the door. stood stiffly at att tention.
 She turned to face nim.
 Begging your pardon, Miss" said the butler. his face keeping the dour look of one who has by surprise bit into a lemon. If you're going to be working here. juat q word of advice. The young men have rivalry. Norman won't notice you. Master Robert will snub you when his mothers around and try to make love to you when she isn't. The master will stick up for you if things go too strongly against you. As far as the madam is concerned, don't offend her. and don't let her know that Robert ever speaks to you"
 Millicent flashed him Q sur- priscd glance. The mans expres- sion did not change.
 And was there anything you wanted. Miss?" he asked.
 "No." she said. ''and thanks. But why did you 2"
 livery good. " he said. and placed his hand on the knob of the door.
 "The madam" he said. tat times Is hell cat.''
 And, with that, he opened the door with ponderous dignity and took his liveried back out into the hallway with the air of a mortician officiating at Q funeral.
 Millicent wanted 10 laugh, and then she wanted to cry. Her nerves were almost completely un. strung. Events had been moving with too bswildering rapidity to enable her to keep up with them.
 She turned toward the mirror