Evening star., 1940-02-17
CHAPTER TWO.

YET! MlS. ILcdl uOll dohCu.
They've finished breakfast and
are upstairs packing" Helen told
her. Their plane leaves at IL and
they want to be sure they have
everything ready" She picked up
the tray and turned to 60 into the
house. Shall I send Mary to you
now?"
Mrs. Reardon heaved a strained
sigh. "Yes, I suppose you might
just as we'll Though really hate
to discharge any one when I'm
feeling so good"
Helen offered no comment but
walked up the flagstone path and
into the house, and Mrs. Reardon,
watching her go, found herself
wondering what she would do II
Helen were to suddenly resign. She
supposed in vague way that her
life wouldn't be nearly so pleasant.
In quiet, unobstrusive manner
Helen Wortorski had relieved her
of many of her tasks and was actu-
ally performing them more eff
GENTLY. She really was a perfect
girl, beautiful; she neither drank
nor smoked, was well educated, re-
spectful; the type of girl she had
wanted Erie to marry. She won-
dered if she would have raised SINH
lar objections if Eric had chosen
her instead of Elaine. She decided
she wouldn't. There was some
thing about Helen that convinced
her she would make an ideal daugh-
ter-in-law.
Took Wine for Tonic.
Her manner underwent a sharp
change as a black uniformed girl
came quietly into the graden.
Squaring her shoulders, lips COM
pressing into tight line, Mrs.
Reardon coolly surveyed the maid
as she placed a newspaper on the
table before her.
Mary" she began grimly. 81
suppose you know why I sent for
you?"
The girl shook her head, fidget-
ing with the paper.
Mrs. Reardon's eyes became frost
ly. Il inspected your room yester-
day."
A dull red erept into the girls
cheeks and her eyes became wor-
ried. II have to take that wine as
a tonic, Mrs. Reardon."
You are acquainted with the
rules" Mrs. Reardon told her firmly.
Il am very sorry, Mary, but I will
have to discharge you"
To her surprise the girl burst
into tears. "You-you can't let me
60" she sobbed wildly. Il never
drank before-and-and the doctor
told me must drink wine"
MIS-. ReardOn Unimpressed.
Mrs. Reardon was unimpressed
by the deluge of tears, nor was she
deceived for an instant by the hasty
lie Mary had uttered. She glanced
unsympathetically at the girl.
when I hired you I made it
clear that would tolerate no
drunkards in my house. I impressed
upon you then, Mary, that if I
learned you drank alcoholic bev-
erages, I would discharge you.
You may continue with your
work until the end of the
month, after which time you
will leave. That is ALL" She
stood up to indicate that the inter-
view had come to an end.
But you can't discharge mel"
Mary exclaimed, rushing over to
the woman and seizing her by the
arm. I'm the only one in the
family who is working. And if you
let me 60 We'll - we'll starve.
Please, Mrs. Reardon, it won't hap
pen again. I swear it won't hap
pen again!"
Mrs. Reardon was in no mood to
argue with the girl. She firmly
pushed the maids hand away and
turned to walk up the path to-
ward tn house. II do not
choose t., discuss the matter fur
ther, Mary"
With an angry cry the girl
whirled her about. $50, you don't
choose to discuss the matter fur
ther!" she cried, mimicking her.
"Just like that you send person
out on the streets to starve. Who
do you think you are, anyway? I've
never been drunk on duty, have L?
I've done my work well, haven't +?
You paid me starvation wages but
/ didn't kick. And now-now, Just
because you find a bottle of HARM
less wine in my room you fire me-
Aren't-aren't you HUMANE"
Mary in a Rage.
Mrs. Reardon quailed before the
girls TRADE. She glanced help
lessly about and then rushed to-
wards the little bell which stood
on the table.
"Oh no, you don't!" Beside her
self with rage. Mary seized the
woman's arm and dragged her back
to the chair. This is one time
you're going to do some listening,
you old-old crow. Ever since I've
been here you kept at me and the
rest of the servants, nagging, nag
giog, making our lives miserable
And as though that wasn't bad
enough you want to meddle in our
private lives. You say don't drink
and expect it to be law. If you
weren't so stupid you'd know there
wasn't anything wrong with an oc-
casional glass of wine. But no
you say don't drink and make us
sneak around like children just
because we need our jobs"
Ire rose into Mrs. Reardon's eyes.
It'll discharge every one I find
drinking in this house."
"Oh, yeah?" Eary laughed
harshly. Then kick your own son
out of the house-hes no lily either.
And when Elaine comes to marry
him kick her out, too. Or maybe
you think liquor only effects the
poor!"
eric? Elaine?" Mrs. Reardon's S
face became black with fury. How
dare you utter such lines? How
dare you?"
Lies?" Mary picked up the news
paper and hurled 1t into the won-