The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1935-06-04
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with what he had done in
Hester prepared the hong for
his coming-each piece of COM
pany furniture accounted for;
the building, ramshackle as it
was, made to give forth a we'll
cared-for air. Kin supported
her valiantly in her efforts.
What a catastrophe if he should
lose face before the great one
coming from Shanghai!
The general manager was i'm
pressed. On the first day Of
his stay, he said to Stephen, II
congratulate you, Chase, on
your wife. She is a help in
the company" A little later
Stephen, managing to get away
from the conference for a few
moments, rushed upstairs to
tell Hester what Truesdale had
said of her.
That night, at the dinner
given for the company people
to meet the general manager,
Hester was in a warm glow of
happiness under the memory
of his praise. Elsie should be
thankful she was starting under
such a man, she thought, re-
membering her own beginnings
with q general manager who did
not say gracious things to wives.
Imagine talking to the old
manager, the way Elsie Burn
ham was now talking to this
one, telling him all about Dee
dee! But then who would not
be interested in Deedee? Hester
smiled to herself, thinking Of
how masterful the little boy
had looked, riding triumphantly
on the back Of his amah that
morning, beating her with his
fists until she quickened her
pace to a jog trot, her bound
feet pounding the floor like tiny
,loofS.
Faint Dread
Elsie was wondering if she
dared hint to Mr.. Truesdale her
fears about living in the hong.
situated as it was in the midst
of the Chinese city. Not a safe
place for a baby. Now, if she
could live in Shanghai Only
this morning amah had said, up
holding Kin in his zeal for
women, Number two great lady,
you no savee. My side must
catchee plenty wife, plenty son.
Suppose many die, have got
FLAPS one left. Your side all be-
long live. But me thinkee you
more better catchee one more
all same Dee-dee."
Elsie had laughed at amah's
quaint philosophy, but a faint
dread remained. She gave her
attention to the general man.
ager, who was saying graciously,
II met a handsome little boy
In the hall today"
"Oh, that must have been
Decided"
Impetuously she spoke, and
all at the table laughed.
IF there were a dozen chill.
dren in the house, you'd be
sure it was Dee-dee," her hus.
band leased her.
But it was Decided" There
was no room in Elsie Burnham's
mind for humor in regard to her
son, and she was a little
affronted at the laughter. Mr..
Truesdale came to her rescue.
STAND by your guns, Mrs.
Durham. have two sons and
I know how you feel"
They disregarded the rest Of
the table and fell to talking Of
their boys.
Mine are at college," said the
manager.
Mine is going to be. What do
you think is the best college
for a boy?" Elsie was dreadfully
serious.
~'Well. I don't know that you
need to decide now" he an
swered, looking at her kindly.
Hes so friendly, so kind,
and so human" thought Elsie.
And then, without her volition,
the words spoke themselves.
"Oh, Mr.. Truesdale, this isn't
any place for a child. If only
we could live in Shanghai"
She was not prepared for the
instant change that came over
him. No longer did the kind
father look out Of his eyes. Now