Browning chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1941-1953, 1941-08-01

going away too! 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
a good time"
The receiver was hung up 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 Eileen's signing in
WEAKNESS. Heartfelt groans, as the
girls knees grew sore and her knuckles
raw, were seemingly unheard. She her
self was tireless. 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 a days work
She ached in every joint. If she had
to spend another day like this it would
kill her, she was sure. But tomorrow
was the day the gardener came. Miss
Peel would never be able to deceive
him. He would march into the kitchen
as soon as he arrived. like he always
did. Eileen was too tired to think
Miss Peel directed Eileen to make
herself a bed on the couch in her
room. This was not new experience
for the girl had slept there in the
first days after Miss Peel's accident
Tears of pity for herself filled Eileen's
eyes as she remembered how kind and
gentle she had been then to Miss Peel
But the older woman seemed to have
forgotten all that. There was no sign
of relenting in her set face
Goodnight" she said, as Eileen
pulled the bedclothes over her head
Il hope you have a good sleep. You'll
need all your strength tomorrow"
The only answer was a smothered
sob.
Eileen slept like log Miss Peel had
to shake her by the shoulders to wake
her. Sun was pouring in at the VIM
dows. The clock was striking 8. Eileen
stretched and yawned. hardly knowing
where she was. She felt as though she
had been beaten, her muscles were so
sore. Her pretty face, rosy from sleep.
peered up at Miss Peel over the edge
OF the sheet. Then she remembered all.
She Owed under the covers.
Il won't get up!" she Sobbed. II
won'tl I WON'T
The curve of one bare elbow was
visible. Against it she felt the ice
cold barrel of the pistol
Get up" commanded Miss Peel
Dress"
Eileen leaped out of bed and began
to pull off her nightgown.
L won't dress" she sobbed Il won't,
I WON'T"
But she dragged on her clothes as
fast as she could. When they were in
the kitchen she peered out of the
window TO see if the gardener had
arrived.
You need not look for him." said
Miss Peel. Il phoned him from my
room while you were still asleep and
told him I'd not need him for several
weeks. I told him you were off on a
holiday. don't enjoy lying but, when
anyone has acted as you have, other
people are forced into wrong-doing.
as a consequence. Put on the kettle"
Work on the dining room continued
all that day. The next day the kitchen,
through which it was almost impossible
to walk because of the accumulation
of dirty utensils, cartons, empty tins.
and rubbish of all sorts, was attacked.
BY night. Eileen could scarcely move.
She blubbered. shifted, sobbed and
choked, as she scrubbed.
The next morning. as Miss Peel was
telephoning her doctor to tell him that
1t was quite unnecessary for him to
call, Eileen made a rush for the pistol
and wrenched 1t from Miss Peel's hand
They struggled. There was an explo-
sion. The bullet went into the wall
behind Miss Peel's head. They were al
most equally terrified. But now Miss
Peel had possession Of the pistol She
pointed 1t at Eileen.
Put up your hands," she ordered