Cinderella Jane. Marjorie Benton Cooke
"Interesting thing. How did you hear about it?"
"Everybody talks about it. I was at the Chatfields' yesterday. They were discussing it."
"Were they? What did they say?"
"I didn't listen."
"You mean you're not a sieve."
She smiled.
"By the Gods, I did not know you ever used a smile! What kind of person are you, anyway?"
She rose at that, as if to end the interview. He went back to his work.
"Oh, I say, Jane Judd, I didn't mean to offend you, just when you had smiled at me for the first time in five years' acquaintance," he called out to her.
"All right," she replied briefly.
Jerry made a grimace and forgot her.
As work began to pile up; as this committee and that committee had to consult with him; as the costumers had to be argued with, stuffs selected; in fact, as the whole big machine began to revolve on Jerry as axis, he frequently sent out a hurry call for Jane Judd to get him some lunch or some dinner. He went on with his work while he ate, and never again did he try to pierce the subterranean depths of Jane's personality.
The last two weeks of preparation were hectic. Jerry's endurance was wonderful, but his nerves were worn thin. At the eleventh hour the costumers decided that they could not turn out the gowns for the "vestal virgins," on time. They broke the news to Jerry over the 'phone one frantic day when everything had gone wrong.
"My God! what am I going to do?" he burst out, as he hung up the receiver.
"What is the matter?" Jane asked.
He explained with an outburst of rage.
"Are they hard to make?"
"No, but they've got to be done day after to-morrow."
"How many?"
"Sixteen."
"If I could get a couple of women to help, I might manage it for you."
"Jane Judd, do you mean it? Get somebody; pay 'em anything; but get 'em here and let's begin."
"Have you got the stuff?"
"No, but I'll telephone for it and get it here special."
"Go ahead. Don't forget thread and needles."
While he was telephoning, Bobs appeared at the door.
"Look here, Jane; Jerry Paxton is absorbing entirely too much of your time. I'm wearing stockings with holes in them."
"I was just coming to tell you that something has gone wrong with some costumes, and I've offered to get somebody to help me, and make them for him."
"Upon my word, is there anything else you can do for the pampered darling? Jinny Chatfield and I could help you."
"Thanks."
Bobs ran off to get her assistant, and when the stuff arrived Jane had three pairs of hands waiting for Jerry.
"Bobs, Jinny, I can't take your time like this, you old dears."
"Don't blather, Jerry; explain the design," said Jinny.
He laughed and held up a drawing which both women inspected.
"Heavens! I don't know how to cut that," exclaimed Bobs.
"No more do I," said Jinny.
"Let me look at it," Jane remarked, and they all waited for her comment.
"Does this hang straight, neck to hem?" she asked.
He explained it carefully to her.
"I think I can cut it; then I'll pin it on you, Miss Roberts, and if it's right we'll cut them all at once."
"Heaven be praised for Jane," said Bobs.
Jane went to work. For the next two hours they worked over it, Jerry explaining, Jane executing. Jerry was nervous and spoke impatiently now and then, but Jane was calm. In the end the gown was cut and basted and hung on tired Bobs. Then Jane ripped it up, to cut all the rest by it, and real work began. Jerry had to go to rehearsal, so he left them hard at it.
"You've saved my life, you three blessed, stitching old Fates," said he.
"What more could any woman ask?" said Bobs.
To the astonishment of everybody, Jane Judd laughed at that.
CHAPTER IV
It is certain that Jerry drove those three women like sweat-shop slaves until the costumes were finished. Jane struck on the second afternoon.
"We must have our dinner sent in to us. I can't stop to get it," she said.
"All right; only for the love of the prophets, don't stop."
"How do you spell 'profits,' Jerry?" said Bobs. "It's outrageous for you to work us like this."
"I told you not to do it," he snapped.
"We've got a mortgage on you for the rest of your life," she laughed.
"Just so you don't foreclose now. You are perfect, white-winged seraphs to do this, and I will never get even with you."
The society girls, cast for the "vestal virgins," began to arrive at the studio to try on their robes. They seemed at a loss how to classify the three women, whom Jerry introduced as his friends. It was obvious that handsome Jerry was their idol. One girl especially amused them.
"So, this is where you live, Mr. Paxton?" she sighed. "How fascinating! I do adore Bohemia!"
"Yes? Well, just go into the bedroom and let Miss Judd help you put on the costume," he said hurriedly, not daring to look at his grinning friends.
"Your bedroom!" said the adoring one, in the tone of a pilgrim at Mecca.
Jane followed her into the bedroom, while Jerry tried to quiet Bobs and Jinny. It was interesting to note how unobtrusively Jane had taken charge of the work. She cut, directed, and fitted the gowns. The others sewed seams.
The gushing girl talked about Jerry and his gifts.
"Isn't Mr. Paxton too wonderful? He's a perfect director. And handsome! I think he is the handsomest man in New York!"
Jane made no comment.
"Are you an artist, too?"
"No."
"You don't look like an artist. So this is where he sleeps. Don't you think it looks like him?"
"Not especially. Now let Mr. Paxton see that on you."
With blushes and smiles the "vestal virgin" presented herself to Jerry's gaze. His eyes sought Jane's, and were relieved to find an answering gleam of amusement there. When the girl was finally disposed of, Bobs said:
"Are all of them in love with you, Jerry?"
"Silly idiot!" was his reply.
"Jerry, the well beloved!" she scoffed.
"You're as silly as the rest of 'em, Bobs," he protested.
"Wait until the show is over and they really get after our Jerry," teased Jinny.
"Rubbish! When the show's over, I'm through."
"What blessed innocents men are. He really believes that, poor dear," sighed Bobs.
"Talk on; talk on! Thank heaven, Jane Judd doesn't talk."
The day