The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1872-02-09

piled with bread buscuit, cake and all
accessories; and mind, but one thing
will allow you to furnish, and that is
butter, which I do not make"
"Very well. It's all settled then,
aud l will leave you. On the whole,
this arrangement suits me; 1t relieves
me Of great responsibility, for your
cookery is we'll known to be particular
ly nice. So, goodbye till Thursday"
"Mind, you say nothing about this
Hattie, to any one this is secret of
mine.
"Very well, as you say, I'll keep
num-" Goodbye again, for you will
have your hands full, and l will not in
terrupt you."
! So off Mrs. Vane went, inwardly
wondering what crotchet demure little
Mary had got into her steady little
head.
Everything came off on that baking
day precisely as Mary could have wish
cd it. Her baking was light and sweet,
and white as snowflake, with line of
golden brown crust surrounding it; her
cakes were perfection, her crullers crisp
and delicious. Then she knew that her
preserved fruits were nice, and if there
was sponge cake more like s,lifed froth
she would like to see it. Everything
was sent to Mrs. Vanc's on Wednesday
afternoon, and she had all Thursday to
devote to her dress.
Mary looked very pretty that night
at the tea party for her eyes shone with
a purpose, and she had just excitement
to reddea her checks in very becom-
ing manner. Add to this that she was
dressed with neatncss and taste, and
you will net be unwilling to believe me
when | say that she was quite the belle
Of the occasion. joe evidently thought
50 himself, for strange to say he made
no remarks on her appearance that
might be calculated to lower her
self-esteem, but contrary-wise he gazed
at her from time to time with the most
profound ST. sfaction.
But "murder will OUT 1t came on
this occasion, when they sat down to
supper. Everybody was delighted;
there had not been such an unexception-
able tea in that ncighborhood fer lorg
time. Country people are very fond of
their "teas;' they compare one with
another with admirable connoisseur-
ship. This one was acknowledged a
triumph.
Mrs. Vanc, you are the perfection
Of bread makers. Your biscuits are
beautiful. What lovely sponge cake"
Mrs. Vane and Mary occasionally
changed glances and smiled, but nobody
noticed it. Joe had been behaving 30
beautifully all the evening that Mary
began to be afraid her plans had failed.
lie came out now, however, greatly to
May's satisfaction.
"This is feast indeed,' he said
"a fellow is fortunate who has wife
that can make such bread as this to
say nothing of the sponge cake. | can't
see why it is, Mary-you improve, it is
true. | give You credit for that; but l
cannot see why it is that all women
have not the knack that Mrs. Vane has.
of cooking to perfection. If you could
make such bread as this, Mary, your
husband would be very happy man."
Mrs. Vane looked at Mary, and Mary
looked at Mrs. Nanc. Light was
breaking upon the mind of the latter.
1t broke like flash Of lightning, and
then there was an explosion-not tlun-
der, but Of laughter. Joe looked up
amazed. .-...
He was a man who petted his digni-
ty enormously. What did these wom-
ell mean, to laugh at so sober, sensible
remark Of his! Particularly what could
Mary mean,to 50 triAe with the respect
she owed to her husband.
He began to grow very red, indeed
Mrs. Vane saw it presently, and came
to his and Mary's relief; for poor Mary
had already began to be little fright
ened at the success Of her own scheme.
She did not like Joe to be angry at any
rate.
"Mr. Starr" said Mrs. Vane, II am
truly glad you like this very excellent
cookery, for it is all your wifc's. By
your own showing, You ought to be
happy man.
Here the whole company caught the
Infection, andjoined in the laugh aga inst
Joe. 1t was no use getting angry with
SO many people; so before long, Joe
joined in the chorus himself.
j
| And SO the tea party broke up with
| the preatest GOOD nature ali aruund and