The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-09-28
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go into the drawing room and sit down? You room's not ready"
 Mot ready?" Elaine said sharp ly. ''Why not? You knew I was coming, Pennyl"
 The old woman was in a uuag- mire of perplexity. She wondered if she'd fallen asleep in an uncom- fortable position and was having bad dream. It could hardly be true. Two girls in the house at once, both calling themselves Elaine Chalmers! She said aloud, But you're the real one! Yes. you're the real one!"
 Certainly I'm real" replied Elaine, made cross by the queer remark. My head couldn't ache like this if I weren't real" 'I mean," explained Bertha, growing more excited, "that the other ones pretender and a liar. She's fooled me-"
 What other one?" asked Elaine blankly.
 "The one that came the night of the big rain, claimin' to be you" Claiming to be me? What ut- ter nerve! What did you do with herr"
 'I took her in," Penny said, land gave her your room."
 Penny, you old fool! Do you mean you're that simpler" "I don't see good any more," Bertha explained in self-defense. There was your letter sayin' you'd be here for a rest. And there comes this girl, almost on the heels of it. She's been here ever ,since."
 Do you mean she's here now?" asked Elaine Chalmers, incredu- lously.
 "Yes. Upstairs. She had her breakfast and then she went up- stairs. She keeps pretty busy"
 Elaine, who had been sitting on the edge of a chair, jumped to her feet excitedly. Phone the police, Penny! No, you haven't telephone, of course. Wait! I'll go get the police myself"
 Something within Bertha's brain came to attention at that word police" The amazing situation of having two Elaine Chalmers con- tending for her recognition sud- denly became as nothing to her. The only thing that mattered was the unhappy man on the third flor who padded desolately from room to room and could not sleep. The one who had seen her charge as little boy, and who was again her charge. No, those blue-coated men should not enter this house and threaten his safety! Let this thigh be settled some other way.
 To the angry girl pacing the Penny said placatingly, "The one upstairs is nice quiet little thing"
 "Oh, she's that sort, is she? Thieves often are."
 Bertha said, Idon't think she's a thief. I've not missed any money out of my purse"
 "Then why is she here? Whats the idea?"
 Bertha rubbed her chin and answered honestly, That I can't say, Miss-Miss Elaine" It was confusing to shift suddenly to calling this one Miss Elaine, even though she was the rightful own CT of that name. Indeed it was all confusing, and worse. It had been hard enough to have one girl un- derfoot to complicate her care of poor, sleepless MT. Duncan. What she would do with two of them now, God only knew. Maybe they'd turn the house into a battlefield.
 She said, T hope you'll forgive me for being taken in like that. Though I'm not such a fool as l look. MT. John was taken in, too"
 Elaine grew quietly attentive. You mean John McNeill?"
 "Yes, Miss Elaine. The girl tainted the day she came and I called him to help me carry her upstairs. Ever since then we've both called her by your name.'
 "Does he see her often?" Elaine asked. This was important.
 "A good deal," answered Ber- tha with reserve.
 Just how much is a good deal, Penny?' Elaine asked sharply. Il want to get this thing straight"
 well" replied Penny reluc- tantly, "Id say he's seen her every day since she's been here. Some times twice a day"
 "Hitler's great aunt!
 "What say?" asked Bertha.
 "I said plague the luck!" Elaine retorted. She had visions of an un- fulfilled VOW, and herself the laughing stock of the Terrible Ten. In g moment, however, her natural feeling of optimistic superiority as- serted itself. She'd dispose of this