Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1941-08-02

Time Eileen was ravenous. She devourec
slice after slice Of bread and Chez
Her hair hung In damp locks ir,to he,
eyes. She was an unpleasant slglnt Il
Miss Peel but she never faltered IA her
purpose.
SoCn after lunch, while Eileen WAS
washing a great pile Of dishes Ia the
kitchen, the telephone bell rang A
flicker passed over Eileen's face. She
would make a dash for freedom when
Miss Peel answered the phone. But the
cold voice commanded:s
J go into the corner. Stand with your
face to the wall"
Eileen obeyed.
Miss Peel answered the phone. 'eYes2
on, hello, Myr1am Yes, I'm get
ting on wonderfully So you are
going away tool All my friends are
going away Oh, I'll be all right
Yes, I'm feeling stronger every
hour Yes, she's been wonderful
She's having a little rest now
Yes, I'm sure she needs it No.
you mustn't worry about me Have
good time"
The receiver was hung I'D. Before
leaving the phone Miss Peel rang up
the butcher and the grocer and or
dered supplies. She looked almost
cheerful as she returned to the attack
The afternoon wore on in ceaseless
labor on the part of Eileen, ceaseless
vigilance on the part of Miss Peel. No
speck OF dirt escaped her eyes. Over
and over again the worst spots were
washed till they shone. The one thing
she ignored was Eileens signing ia
WEAKNESS Heartfelt groans, as the
girls knees grew sore and her nuckles |
raw, were seemingly unheard. She her
self was ttrelesS, sitting upright ON her |
chair, watching her belongings regain |
something Of their one-time brightness.
But no amount Of rubbing removed |
the stain from the carpet or the marks
Of hot dishes and wet tumblers from
The mahogany table.
When night came, all Eileen Thought
Of was getting to bed. Never in her
life had she done such days work.
She ached In every joint. If she had
20 spend another day like this it would
I'LL her, she was sure. But tomorrow
vas the day the gardener came. Miss
Peel would never be able to deceive
lin. He would march into the kitchen
IS soon as he arrived, like he always
lid. Eileen was too tired to think.
Miss Peel directed Eileen to make
herself a bed on the couch In her
DOM. This was not a new experience.
or the girl had slept there In the
irst days after Miss Peel's accident.
fears Of pity for herself filled EiIeen's
yes as she remembered how kind and {
emile she had been then to Miss pee. 6
hut the older woman seemed to have !
Orgotten all that. There was no sign S
relenttng In her set face.
Goodnight" she said, as Eileen 8
ulled the bedclothes over her head. !
hope you have a good sleep. You'll
eed all your strength tomorrow i
The only answer was q Smothered
)b.
Eileen slept like log Miss Peel had t
shake her by the shoulders to wake I
er. Sun was pouring in at the win S
oWs. The clock was striking g. Eileen o
retched and yawned, hardly knowing q
here she was. She felt as though she Z
I'd been beaten, her muscles were so "
IRE. Her pretty face, rosy from sleep.
sered up at Miss Peel over the edge b
the sheet. Then she remembered All. @
She dived under the covers.
Il won't get upI" she sobbed. IT 81
ont! I wontr" fl
The curve Of one bare elbow was it
sible. Against it she felt the ice
Id barrel of the pistol.
Get up" commanded Miss Peel. ly
Dress" II
Eileen leaped out Of bed and began
pull off her nightgown. =,
Il won't Dress" she sobbed. IT won't y,
wontl" +
But she dragged on her clothes as =
st as she could. When they were in fe
e kitchen she peered out Of the
ndow to see If the gardener had
rived. "a
you need not look for him" said Fl
ISIS Peel. II phoned him from INV
ON while you were still asleep and eff
Id him I'd not need him for several 81.
,eks' told him you were off ON a be
'liday. I don't enjoy lying but, when