FREE AND INDEPENDENT

Taranaki Herald, Volume LV, Issue 13929, 12 June 1909, Page 5

FREE AND INDEPENDENT

"Oh — that reminds me — have you — I mean, are you — engaged?" "No — thank you. No young men for me. Know too much about them. Bebides, I'm getting on a bit." I had not asked her age for fear of giving offence, but a perceptible hint of dental assistance and thinning hair gave rise to the diplomatic inquiry. — "Not thirty — are yon?" She looked pleased, "Add five to

it. That's why I want a quiet, comfortable place. I'm not one for change." "Nor I," I agreed. . "Think I should like to come here," she went on thoughtiully "You beeiii the right sort ot mistress for me. I mean I can't a bear interterence. 1 know my work, and Ido it If you don't like my ways you've only got to say so." "Perhaps you would like to see the house?" I suggested. "Oh, Mary took me all over lt.beiore I called on you." (I observed that tbe formula of "applied lor the situation was distinctly omitted.) "It's just enough ior ono to manage," bhe went on "As, to wages, I knew what Mary had. But I'm more experienced and older. I should want twenty-five pounds a year." "Very well," I agreed, weak and weary after long battles with regibtry office "incapables." "But do yov —really think tho place will suit you?' "Well," sho said thoughtfully, "I'll give it a trial." "By tho way," I hazarded, "about your name 2 " [ " "Olivia Judkins." "Would you mind if I— didn t call vou — Olma 5 " , , "Why shouldn't you-" sho demanded sharply. . "It "seems such . . well . such an odd name tor a servant Have yor no other?" „ . Her mouth snapped. "No- iJotlu : ; «a\o H nft-i the Vicar of V»akofielddaunhter. Saw it at a theatre m 1 Lmipool 1 was born next ua- . "1 had b. ttor call .\ou— Judkms, I san! Unless you wouldn't mind 'Mary. I've uot used to that, jou sw." • .\n doubt," she snapped. "Hut 1 ha\cn't. Ii I can't bo called m\ ow 1 name, I won't Ik beholden to anvoi" else's." I smhed. "Then it must bo JudKin--if \..y coming:-" ,11 "Oh! I'm coming, she said, .id , justing hoi cap and voil before tin ] lilas-s on the onimno>-piocv. "I'.o .>l ways wanted to In o with an autnor I'm told tlu-j know nothing abom housekeping or domestic matters-, anc want a capable person to look aftei them. I think we'll just suit 01 c an other." And after twelve months' expenen'-' I actually found she was right, and I could afford to !au«h at "boiny: en gaged" by a sonant, instead of engan ing one — Home paper.