The Wilmington morning star., 1944-02-07


She whispered, '1'n be waiting
for you," and gently placed the
receiver on its support.
The whisper had done no good
whats he comm up here for?"
Prism wanted to know.
ITO say good night" Mallory
still held the silent phone in ten
der hands.
HE couIoa said good night over
the telephone - either one OF
them" Grumbling, she followed
the girl into the larger bedroom
ard watched disapprovingly while
she slipped into the squirrel-lined
housecoat. When no answer came
she said, with the freedom of
long association, You're crazy,
Miss Mallory
The girl was putting on ipstick,
rose-orchid color, that went well
with the gray wooden, fur-lined
housecoat. She did not need
rouge; her cheeks, beneath flesh
tinted powder, were even roster
than she liked them to be.
In the looking glass she noticed
her maids glum face. You'd
better go on to bed yourself,
Prism. You should take it easy
for while. I'll not let Carlos stay
long"
Prism left the room, making
dumping motions with her feet,
regretting beyond doubt that
their crocheted coverings prevent
ca the dumping motions from
being noisy. Mallory could hear
her in the smaller bedroom. In
there she was managing to over
come that regret, She picked up
objects and put them down with
bang, ratified drawers, SIAM
med her bathroom door repeat
edly. And all the while she NUT
tered constantly to herself to show
Ter i'll humor.
Mallory smiled at herself in the
mirror. Prism, she knew, would
like for her to come to the clos
ed door and ask her to be more
quiet. but I'll not do it" the girl
vowed. "I'n not let her know I've
even heard her racket" A few
minutes later there was a death
like silence in the servants room.
Her anger was played out, decid-
ed her mistress. She formed a
mental picture of the tat Neg
ress lying in bed, defeated.
That picture was mistake.
Mallory realized that when the
door bell rang and Prism, in some
miraculous manner, beat her to
he door. She wore her uniform
and a fresh apron of the over
sized, wide-bowed sort she effect
ed. Even a cap, abhorred ordin-
arily, was atop her kinky head.
"Buenas noches, senor,," she
said to the startled Carlos when
she opened the door. She bowed
slightly and stood back for him
10 enter. He was no more start
tied than Mallory who was still
looted to the exact spot she had
reached when Prism grasped the
doorknob.
Come in, Carlos" she invited.
She put out her hand for his and
led him to the davenport, casting
at the same time a look o.
significance toward her maid.
I'VE shan't need you, Prism"
"Yes'm.'' Prism gave a tiny
grin of triumph and did not
bulge. She disdainfully brushed
aside another exasperated stare
from her mistress and continued
to stand, not really watching the
pair on the davenport but not
missing anything either, begrudg-
ed the girl.
Carlos now seemed untroubled
by the surveillance of the colored
woman. He had spent all his years
beneath the guarding eyes of old
err persons; it was not new to
MIN.
He put white box into NAL
.ory Bakers hands. FLOWERS. Let
us see if they are still as lovely
Eas when bought them. They re-
minded me of your lovely face,
princesita. His voice was so low
Prism could not make it out.
Annoyance showed on her face,
annoyance that changed to a
smirk when she saw the white
flowers in the green-glazed wrap
pings.
Candles she said jubilant-
iy, and came forward to take
them from the girl. It'll put them
in water
''Wait minute" Mallory took
one and kept it. Out of the cor
Ter of her eye she watched her
maid until she Disappeared down
the hallway. Then she turned to
Carlos.
He, too, had been watching for
this opportunity. He leaned to-
ward the girl and their lips met.
Just as it had earlier in the day,
Mallory's pounding heart made a
roaring in her ears. All the same,
she was able to hear Prism's work
oxfords as they tapped back into
the living room. The kiss ended,
reluctantly but safely.
II certainly like 'camilles'," she
said, giving the man her bulging-
checked smile. She moved away,
but not far enough, deplored NAL