The Coolidge examiner., 1938-01-20

But the morning hours went by
and the visitor stayed on. Still Greg
ory Sterling did not come.
Several times the lady got up
from the chair where she was sit
ting and pranced restlessly around
the room examining things in de-
tail, feeling of the quality of silk
in the curtains, Of the leather of
the chairs, turning over the silver
desk set to look for the hallmark,
even STOPPING down to look at the
rug on the floor, turning the corner
of it over to examine the back
Margaret happened to notice that
and wondered. She knew that was
the way an oriental rug was judged,
by the closeness of its knots, the
number to a square inch. But even
If she was interested in fine old
rugs she was rude. One could see
that at a glance. Or else she must
be a very close friend who felt
privileged to do what she pleased
here. She couldn't be a relative
for he had said he hadn't any living
relatives that he knew Of
About half-past two she whirled on
her heel and went to the desk, sit
ting down and taking a sheet of
paper out of the drawer. She wrote
rapidly for a minute, and then, fling
ing the pen down on the blotter, took
an abrupt leave.
Margaret had been working stead
lily all the morning ever since her
arrival. She had not stopped for
lunch. Mr.. Sterling might blame
her if she left her alone. So Mar
garet stayed.
When the lady at last took her
leave, and she heard her car start
away from the house. she sat back
in her chair and drew a sigh Of re-
lief. Then she got up and went into
the office. There on the desk lay
the paper the lady had written and
without intending to read it her eyes
took in at a glance the few words
it contained;
Darling Greg:
Come for cozy little dinner to-
night at 8 entire deux. need you!
Am in awful troubled"
Love, ALICE"
Margaret went to the window and
stood looking out with troubled eyes
for a minute trying to think what
was her duty. Then she came back,
folded the paper and slipped it in
side an envelope. laying the enve-
lope on the blotter where Greg
would not fail to find it. Now he
need not know that she had seen it.
Presently Mrs. Harris came in.
well, is she gone at last?" She
peered cautiously into the other
room and finding it empty stepped
through and went and looked out
the window. Margaret was glad she
had put the note decently into an
envelope.
Yes, she's gone" she said, try
ing to make her tone casual. She
would protect her employer as far
as she could.
'Do you know who she iS?" Mrs.
Harris came back to the inner room.
NO" said Margaret, still brightly
casual. Il think somebody perhaps
come for advice. Maybe somebody
in trouble. She seemed awfully rest
less"
oh" said Mrs. Harris, consider
ing that view, ''you don't think then
that she's any Of his friends-or rel
atives?"
II shouldn't suppose So" said
Margaret, "she doesn't look like his
kind"
well, should hope not" said
the little old lady setting her lips
firmly. II certainly never had a
woman like that in my house! She
didn't really look respectable"
"People do dress that way now
adays," said Margaret thoughtfully.
IA great many people do"
mot nice people!" said Mrs. Har-
ris. My! l can't see how they can
bear themselves! I think they look
just grotesque. don't you? You don't
wear paint!"
mo, I don't care for it,"
Did you see her carr"