The Mystery of Mary

epped into the first agency on her

each with keen scrutiny. The sensitive color stole into her delicate cheeks. As t

e like a hawk, and eyes that held no sympa

aitress." Her voice was low an

e went up co

usework. There are too

nswered with the voice of a gentlewoman, which somehow angered the hawk, who had trai

course, but you bite your own nos

was ready

oom, and that home was broken up when the people went abroad three years ago. I could show you letters written by the mist

has no references. Do any of you want to venture?" The contemptuous laugh that followed had the effect of a warning to every

eferences. She might be a thief, you know, and then-really, she doesn't look as if she was used to houses like mine. I m

ling, humiliated, her cheeks burning, while horrified tears demanded to be let

and leave two dollars, and if in the meantime you can think of anybody who'll give

is information flung at her in an unpleasant voice. She went out of th

, in which was a lack of all moral sense. She hurried after the girl and took her by

treet suit with the sleeves remodelled. When she saw who had stopped the girl, she lingered behind in the

with me, and I'll put you in the way of earning more than you can ever get as a waitress. You weren't cut out for work, any way, with

hispered so that the timid woman, who was beginning dimly to perc

rgy and flashing eyes, shaking off the be

't you dare to touch me! You are a wicked woman! If you touch me again

re a saint, starve

the girl, and her clear, horrified eyes seemed to burn into the woman's ev

stairs after her sped the little, anxious woman, panting and breathless, determined to keep her in sight till she cou

ithout any destination. She was trembling so with terror that she was not sure whether she had th

, eying the girl cautiously,

en follo

old chill of fear coming over h

way. I suppose I'm doing a dangerous thing, but I can't help it. I believe you're all right, and I'm going to try you, if you'll take

t of her troubles brought

have never before been among strangers this way. I'd like to come and work for you, b

little? I could

ing about cooking. I never

ry girl ought to be brought up to know a little about

h your dinner party," she went on. "That is, I know all about setting the tables and arranging the flowers and favors. I co

ell, and I could help her beforehand, but she couldn't wait on table, to save her life. I wonder if you know much about menus. Could you help me fix out the courses and say what you think I ought to have, or don't you know about that? You see, I have this very particular co

re to stay before night, and if I find a place I must take it. I jus

the woman's face for a moment, bu

my house and sleep in the cook's room. If I like your work, I'll give you a recommendation as waitress. You can't get a good place anywhere without it, not from the offices, I'm sure. A recommendation ought to be worth a couple of day

said the girl. "I sha

go with me now, or have you

fine enough for your dinner party. I have a little money. I could buy a white apron. M

used to roughing it. If I could only hold on to her and train her, she might be a treasure, but there's no

we can fix up some kind of a waitress's cap out of a lace-edged handkerchief, and you'll look fine. I'd rather do that and have you come right

diculousness of her present situation sudd

burb. The woman, whose name was Mrs. Hart, lived in a common litt

oon the would-be waitress sat down with a box of water-colors to paint dinner-cards, and as her skilful brush bro

hing showing the touch of a skilled hand. The long hours that Mrs. Hart had spent puckering her brow over the household departmen

r, Mrs. Rhinehart, spoke of the deftness and

with pride, "she is a treasure

suppose. They all do when they'

, and I really haven't work enough f

at up and t

hrough your fingers? I wish I had known about her. I have spent three d

d, until the other woman was ready to hire her on the spot. The result of it all was that "Mary" was summoned to an interview with Mrs. Rhinehart

nd told her that he appreciated the help she had g

rst earnings! It seemed so strange to think that she had really earned s

entered the home of Mrs. Rhinehart, and ascended to a tiny room on the fourth floor, in which were a cot and a washstand, a cracked mirror, one chair, and one window. Mrs. Rhinehart had pla

d a fleck of dust gently from the felt, as if in apology for its humble surroundings. Then she smoothed her h