The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-03-30
. SERIAL STORY
SIS A WEEK
By LOUISE HOLMES
Copyright 1910. SEa Service. Inc.
TContinued From Page 81

CONTINUED From Page 81
- can't stand it. Can't have my
friends because cook gets sore
never have any buttons on my
clothes
Ann broke In. Il could do It.
Please let me try" Her voice was
eager.
Mr.. Temple had lighted cigar.
He smoked thoughtfully. I'D like
regular home for my kids" he
said at last, slowly. His voice
dropped to a confidential tone. Il
don't ask much for myself. a chill
ed highball when I come home. an
ash tray handy, a top sheet that
viii turn down over the blankets,
friendly spirit among the serv-
ants. a grocery bill that doesn't
knock my hat off"
Irene interrupted and he leaned
back, putting at his cigar Il want
to be able to entertain in my own
home she said emphatically. Il
haven't invited anyone to this
morgue for ages-the maids quar-
reling all the time-Plunket, she's
the cook, on her high horse-dust
under the beds the silver a
mess" She threw out both
hands. ITS got me licked
AIMS bright eyes moved from
the face of one speaker to the
next. Il know could straighten
it all out" she said with quiet
conviction.
There was a silence in the room.
At last Mr.. Temple cleared his
throat. You might try it for a
month" he said. ITS like taking
on another child but darned IL l
know what else to do" Again he
spoke confidentially, My food
bills are outrageous, Miss Brown.
There's a leak somewhere. If you
can find that leak I'll give you a
bonus. Let me see-I paid the
last housekeeper $50 week.
How's that with a bonus for
leaks ?"
Blake smiled for the first time.
"She isn't a plumber. dad"
II don't mind paying legitimate
bills" his father went on, but it
makes me just plain sore to be
robbed"
Irene had an engagement and
she left the conference. At the
door she said. Lets give Ann a
room on the second floor I'd be
afraid to put her with our band
of cutthroats."
Ann did not go back to the Cen
ter. Her suitcase and paper bag
were delivered to the Temple
home and she slept that night in
rose and silver bedroom at the
rear of the second floor.
1t had once been charming
room. Now dust covered the furni-
ture, it had an unaired, neg
lected feel Ann really did not
sleep at all She lay between
smooth sheets, her hands caressed
silken puff. She planned until
the morning light crept in the
east window.
AIMS first day in the Temple
household was not encouraging.
Plunket, the cook, a barrel-shaped
woman with tiny head and bird
like eyes, plainly resented her
presence. Plunket's daughter,
Rose. was the parlor maid and
waitress; her niece, Beth, was
supposed to care for the second
floor. The butler was Plunket's
brother. They formed a solid
front and, before evening, had
taken on the proportions of an
enemy battalion to the distracted
Ann. Lack of cooperation seemed
to be the motto of the battalion
and AIMS best efforts met with
defeat.
With the unwilling help of the
chauffeur, she rearranged the for
lorn rooms, pulling comfortable
chairs forward, placing conveni-
ent tables and lamps near them.
She replaced worthless light bulbs.
| filled bowls with flowers and laid
fires.
This done. she attempted to plan
the meals and got exactly no.
where. At in the afternoon,
weary to the point of exhaustion,
she bathed and dressed. At 6 she
made Mr.. Temples highball her.
self and lighted the fires.
She sat at the foot Of the dining
table, Mr.. Temple insisted upon
it. other housekeepers had
claimed the post, he said. She
did not join in the general con-
versatiOn. Rose waited on table,
her sullen eyes boding no good for
Ann. She ignored AIMS quiet
orders and was as saucy and i'm
pudent as she dared.
At 9 o'clock Ann dragged her
self through the hall. AS she
reached the foot of the stairs, the
butler opened the outer door. Ann
stopped. one foot on the lower
step Steve Clsybourne was gaily
greeting the butler.
ITO Be Contoinued)