Browning chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1941-1953, 1942-10-23
Copyrlsht: lgi2: BY News Syndieate Co, Il
Wherein a Woman
Proves Her Theory
That ParagOns Do
Not Exist
IN TWO PARTS-PART TWO

IN TWO PARTS-PART TWO
Miss Lavinia was looking far less
harrassed than usual and, although
she regretted that she could not take
stall owing to her preoccupation with
her sister, she nevertheless rendered a
handsome monetary contribution, and
promised a consignment of penwipers,
and babies socks.
Miss MARBLE commented on her air
of well-being
Il really feel I owe a great deal to
Mary. l am SO thankful I had the
resolution to get rid of that other girl
Mary is really invaluable. Cooks
nicely and waits beautifully and keeps
our little flat scrupulously clean =
mattresses turned over every day. And
she is really wonderful with Emily"
Miss Marble hastily inquired after
Emily.
"Oh, poor dear, she has been very
much under the weather lately. She
can't help it, of course, but it really
makes things a. little difficult, some
times. Wanting certain things cooked
and then, when they come, saying she
can't eat now-and then wanting them
again half hour later and everything
spoilt and having to be done again.
1t makes of course, lot of workout
fortunately Mary does not seem to
mind at all. Shes used to waiting on
invalidS, she says, and understands
them. 1t is such a comfort"
Dear me-" said Miss MARBLE. You
are fortunate"
Yes, indeed I really feel Mary has
been sent to us as an answer to
prayer"
She sounds to me-" said Miss
MARBLE, almost too good to be true.
should-well. 1 should be a little
careful if I were you
Lavinia Skinner failed to perceive
the point Of this remark. She said:
oh! I assure you I do all I can to
make her comfortable. I don't know
what 1 should do If she left"
Il don't expect she'll leave until
She's ready to leave" said Miss MARBLE
and stared very hard at her hostess.
Miss Lavinia said: IF one has no
domestic worries, it takes such a load
off ones mind, doesn't it? How is
your little Edna shaping?"
She's doing quite nicely. Not much
ahead, OF course. Not like your Mary.
Still l do know all about Edna be-
cause she's a village girl"
AS she went out into the hall she
heard the invalidS voice fretfully
raised: This compress has been al
lowed to get quite dry-Doctor Aller-
ton particularly said moisture con-
tinually renewed. There, there, leave
it. I want cup Of tea and boiled
egg-boiled only three minutes and
half, remember, and send Miss Lavinia
to me-
The efficient Mary emerged from
the bedroom and, saying to Lavinia,
Miss Emily is asking for you Madam"
proceeded to open the door for Miss
MARBLE, helping her into her coat and
handling her umbrella in the most ir-
reproachable fashion.
Miss MARBLE took the umbrella,
dropped it, tried TO pick it up and
dropped her bag which flew open.
Mary politely retrieved various odds
and ends-a handkerchief an engage
ment book, an old fashioned leather
purse, two shillings, three pennies and
striped piece of peppermint rock.
Miss MARBLE received the last with
some signs of confusion.
"Oh, dear that must have been Mrs.
Clements little boy. He was sucking
it, remember, and he took my bag
to play with. He must have put it in
side. It's terribly sticky, isn't it?"
Shall I take it. MADAME"
"Oh, would you? Thank you so
much"
Mary stopped to retrieve the last
item, small mirror, upon recovering
which Miss MARBLE exclaimed fervent-
ly: How lucky now that that isn't
broken"
She thereupon departed, Mary
standing politely by the door holding
a piece of striped rock with COM
pletely eXpressionless face.
For ten days longer st. Mary Mead
had to endure hearing of eXcellencies
of Miss Lavinia's and Miss Emily's
treasure.
On the eleventh day, the village
awoke to its big thrill.
Mary, the paragon, was missing! Her
bed had not been slept in and the
front door was found ajar She had
slipped out quietly during the night.
And not Mary alone was missing!
Two brooches and five rings of Miss
Lavinia's; three rings, pendant, a
bracelet and four brooches of Miss
Emily's were missing also!
1t was the beginning of a chapter of
catastrophe.
Young Mrs. DevereuX had lost her
diamonds which she kept in an I'M
locked drawer, and also some valuable
furs given to her as a wedding pre-
sent. The judge and wife also had
had jewelry taken and a certain
amount of money. Mrs. Carmichael
was the greatest sufferer. Not only
had she some very valuable jewels but
she also kept a large sum of money
in the flat ulnicla had II had