Argosy All-Story Weekly — page 168: what you’re looking at

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158 ments and kept both eyes open. That went for her ears, too. Each day she read the society news col- umns of the papers and here and there made tactful inquiries. - Celeste observed in time that wherever a bridge party was mentioned, there usually appeared the name of Mrs. Davison Wall. A peculiar thing about Mrs. Davison Wall was that she played to win, not be- cause she had any illusions about the game being sociable. What’s more, she nearly always won, too. Sometimes these games were “fast” and hotly contested. They were the kind Mrs, Wall liked, because she knew that chance doubtless would send her home with a pair of earrings won or a ring or cash, She didn’t need the money. Davison Wall’s bridge construction company made all that he or she would ever need. It was just that gambler’s spirit in her that cried to be satisfied. Therefore, each time Mrs. Wall came home, she added another bauble or two to her collection. All this Celeste found out. Women find out everything. Celeste knew what the servant problem was, so she contented herself with the con- viction that certainly within a few months, Mrs. Davison Wall, like every one else, would find herself again without a maid or a butler or something. That would be the chance that Celeste St. Cyr was waiting for. She hoped the wait wouldn’t be long. Meanwhile, she had to tussle with the servant problem herself and get a maid. Her customary advertisement went into the newspapers and brought the customary flock of applicants. Some of these she dis- missed after a word or two, others after a longer examination. Her efforts at last weeded the group down to two. ‘These Celeste found interesting, the one because she was bland and of a snap-o’-my-fingers type, the other for her apparent meekness and good behavior. It didn’t take Celeste St. Cyr many minutes to decide on the second, because she wished to study that girl and adopt some of her mannerisms. [t was this kind of girl that Celeste always had hoped to be able to ape. ‘“Your name, girl?” asked Celeste after dismissing the bland individual. ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. “My name is Patience Blow, madam,” answered the applicant. ‘“And do you think your references are of sufficient bearing?” “Indeed, madam. In fact, I think they are a bit enusal: Won’t you look at this one first?” Celeste accepted the proffered letter and noticed with satisfaction that the stationery was plain. The writing said: This is to tell what a satisfactory servant T have found Patience Blow to be during the two years that she was my maid. She under- stands her duties very well and never once has been the cause of any annoyance what- soever. She is truly demure and quiet, scrup- ulously honest, and it has been a genuine pleasure to have her about. I would be as quick to recommend her as a companion as a maid. The note paper was signed with the name of Mrs. Harrison Stilwell, whom Celeste knew to be a woman of the exclusive set and a civic worker of some reputation. The words that caught Celeste’s eye were “scrupulously honest.” She felt that she would find that handy when she came to call upon Mrs. Davison Wall in quest of a position. | Patience Blow’s other references were nearly as good as that from Mrs. Stilwell. Celeste was mightily pleased, but careful not to let Patience see it. On the con- trary, she looked the girl over rather criti- cally and then engaged her. II. Tuincs came along evenly and nicely for Celeste St. Cyr as she waited her time in the expensive St. Regis Apartments. She found it interesting to observe the rich women who lived there, and, better still,. the not so rich blessed with the ability to appear that the world was their oyster. She maintained a discreet courtesy to- ward every one, but kept quite to herself. By doing so she managed to have not too many acquaintances. Had she been work- ing her other gag, the wider circle of friends the better. But, one thing at a time, says the Moslem proverb. Meanwhile Celeste had found her new oO Comicoooks (c@)