The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-04-01
. SERIAL STORY
SIS A WEEK
CHAPTER NV
By LOUISE HOLMES
Copyright. 1910. SEA Service. inc.

Hello. Steve
rs that you. Ann? I only took
one drink swear I did" Shut
ting his eyes, he shook his head
violently. then stared again. IT'S
true. For a minute l thought I'd
conjured you out of thin air"
I'm here all right" she adj
mitted. sitting down on the second
step. That is, what's left of me-"
Steve sat down beside her.
Swell to see you, Ann"
She nodded. resting her chin on
both fists. I'm the new house,
keeper"
His laugh was explosive. You're
what ?"
The new housekeeper." she re-
peated. Mr.. Temple hired me
to bring order out of chaos in this
house" She set her teeth. And
III do tiff it kills me-"
well. I'll be Look. Ann.
thought you were married by
now"
NO"
Il thought-you said"
Paul went away" Saying it,
she felt the sting of tears. She
got to her feet and Steve also
rose, looking up at her.
He isn't coming back"
She shook her head. lingering
the little silver bracelet.
I've never forgotten you, Ann.
You pop out of my thoughts at
every turn"
She smiled vaguely, her mind
on household troubles. She and
Plunket would have a showdown
in the morning. Plunket and all
her relatives couldn't lick her.
Steve still gazed at her. Guess
I'm in love with you" he said.
Guess fell in love with you that
night at Clancy's-"
You're being very silly, Steve"
ut doesn't seem silly to me-"
He kept looking at her, a half
frightened expression on his reck-
less young face. II never intended
to fall in love with anyone" he
went on as if to himself. See
ing you again-well, I've gone off
the deep end"
Ann moved up step. Wen
just scratch the last few remarks
from the records" she said light
ly. Keep it in mind that I'm an
upper servant in this house"
III keep you in mind. If
found you scrubbing down the
back stairs it wouldn't change the
way l feel"
Irene floated down the stairs in
white tulle. She touched AIMS
arm with friendly little gesture
as they passed. She called, Eve
ming, mister"
'Hy'a, beautiful" Steve re-
sponded in an absent-minded tone.
Ann went to bed and she did
not plan. She slept. Refreshed
the next morning, she took a
firmer grip on the management Of
Mr.. Temples difficult household.
She breakfasted alone with her
employer, sitting demurely behind
the coffee service.
Everything all right? Mr..
Temple asked.
She nodded. 1T will take a
little time"
MY top sheet was fine"
Ann smiled. She had seen to
that herself "Highball all right ?"
Just right. The house feels
different, Ann. / feel guilty in
dumping my problems on your
shoulders, but I actually relaxed
and enjoyed myself last night.
You'll be good for the kids. I'm
glad you're here"
Thank you" she said with a
little warm glow. When the chauf-
feur had driven him to the city.
she attacked her duties with new
fortitude. She went first to the
kitchen.
"I'll do the ordering and plan
ming from now on, Plunket," she
SAID firmly.
The woman's beady eyes mar
rowed.
After this, don't make the
toast until Mr.. Temple is eating
his fruit. 1t was cold this morn
ing"
Plunket grunted.
What food market have you
been patronizing
The Superior"
May I see yesterdays order
Slip
4 don't know where il is"
Plunket spoke hastily.
Give it to me at once"
Find il II you can" the woman
Erumbled.
"Plunket--you will speak eour-
teously to me or ! viii find an
other cook"
y keep the slips in that drawer"
Plunket nodded her small round
head.
Ann opened the drawer and
scanned the dates on a number
of market slips. She chose one.
"Mm-m--four dozen boxes of soap
flakes. Where are they. Plunket ?"
In the laundry-where do you
suppose
"Plunket--" AIMS sweet voice
had = steely ring.
well"
six dozen lines. Why six
dozen ?"