What Diantha Did

thing that the

dest to pr

imposed on a fu

performed w

ng of knowle

all women, we s

e of wonde

the million is

our hands

ly a sing

lue was proven. Her husband also bided his time; and when congratulated on his improved appe

who could love-so cheerful and gay grew Mrs

"It's not only good cooking, and good waiting, and a clean house-cleaner than I ever saw one before; and

noticed that

the work, the house is a perfect nightmare to me!" She leaned forward from her lo

nster! But I can tell you frankly that if I'd had any idea of what

ever meant that you should give up architecture-that's a business a woman could carry on at

, "there they are-and there they might have

r "Miss Bell" all

her first name more than the seamstress or governess. I tried to say that it was shorter, but she smiled and said that in this cas

s letter

she came from. I'm afraid she's en

uld account for her six months' arrangement!

es and teas as you know-all my "social obligations" are cleared off! We've had your mother for a visit, and mine's coming now-and I wasn't

so young and handsome and happy aga

ghthearted I can love you and baby-as-as I do! Only when I

dear," he said. "I feel that way m

s asleep I get hours at a time; and even when he's awake I've fixed a place whe

you than loving?" he asked

First I had the work and loved it. Then you came-and I loved you-better! Then

ole lifetime of it and no improvement; then I just ached for my work-and couldn't do it! And then-why sometimes dear, I just wanted to run away! Actually! From both of yo

iss Bell," said he. "If she'l

nths w

household, and the lady of the house blossomed into richer beauty

length and breadth of the town; and visited continuously among the servants of the neighborhood, establishing a large and friendly acquaintance. If she wore rubber gloves ab

twice a week; and by the help of her sister's authority succeede

out of mother even if he was mad with you. He made a fuss about your paying for the girl-but that was only showing off-he couldn't pay for her just now-

or her mother. She had faced all si

often as I can and cheer her up a bit. It's not just the work-she misse

k on at the plans she was maturing, with grim courage. "It's hard on them now," she would say to her

useholds of the fair town buzzed i

nt question." News of this marvel of efficiency and propriety was discussed in every household, and not only so but in barber-shops and other downto

me?" asked little Mrs. Ree of

prices and things. When I used to ask her to suggest (one does, you know: it is so hard to think up a variety!), she'd always be ready with an idea, or remind me that we had had so

r sense of freedom," said Mrs. Ellen A Dankshire,

But she really does it more-more scientifically. She ha

uckiest woman alive!" sighed

eir own kitchens of an evening when the strange Miss Bell was visiting "the help," made flattering proposit

ace-if I may ask?" loftily inquired the

ng, madam," she replied politely. "Mrs. Po

her through her lorgnette. "Very good. Whate

answered, "and I do not wish to close with anyone else unti

r husband. "Looks to me like one of these literary imposters.

ceived a liking for the yo

n to her as soon as she was free; at prices from he

It's a wonder to me girls don't try it long enough to get a start at something else. With even two or three hundr

nths of her engagement. It was a "Study and Amusement Club." She gave them short and interesting lessons in arithmetic, in simple dressmaking, in easy a

d. To the eye or ear of any casual visitor it was the simplest and mos

in the work, or inability to hold their little earnings-or both; and further the Tale of the Other Side-the exactions and restrictions of the untrained mistresses they served; cases of withheld wages; cases

ndation, when you leave like that-but wh

made friends and lai

ekly "entertainments." No one refused. No one regretted acceptanc

had she cried aloud on the street corners concerning her good fortune. It was not her fault, nor, in truth anyone's. But in a community where the "servant question" is even more vexed than in the country at large, where

of the Orchardina Home and Culture

omfortable chair, "I just want to talk the matter over with you,

of it!" sai

to study the facts

ry, lifting her pale earnest face with the perplexed fine lines in it.

want me to do?" a

ess our club!" Mrs. Dankshire announced. "It i

y a school-teacher? Mrs. Thaddler has put it about that

d about it, and had the best of recommendations. She was

" Mrs. Ree advanced; but Mrs. Da

read a paper to the Club? Of course we do not wish to interfere, but it is a remarkable opportunity-very. You know the fine work Miss Lucy Salmon has done on this subject; and Miss Frances Kellor. You know how little data we have, and how gre

. "It might lead numbers of other school-teach

to have our ladies bring with them to the meeting the more intelligent of their serva

s. Ree; her high narrow forehead fairly creped with little wrinkles: "

her judgment. "What could she say? Look at what she does! And how beautifully-how perfectly-she does i

Porne, "with pleasure

selected chair and passed her large clean plain-

showed the cloth still white. "That," she continued in pond

g her head in awed amazement, and reflecting that she would no

ll do worlds of good. Let me see-a paper on-we might say 'On the Tr

Mrs. Ree. "So st

subject," said Mrs. Porne

ose. But we felt it right to ask you

on't see that it would make any difference to our relations. She is a very self-poised young woman, but ext

ked Mrs. Dankshire, "or sha

you to see how beautiful

ss Bell was making her preparation for lunch, and stopped to receive

have at heard so much of your beautiful work here, and we admire your attitude! Now would you be willing to give

ton maiden accosting a saint from Hindoostan. "If you only would!

em both and looked at

you do it," said her employer.

date set?" a

ter February," sa

I will let you know in good season, and if you should wish to postpone or alter the pr

announced officially at the next club-meeting, and the Hom