Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1877-10-13
Jane departed.

" III COOKING VIII 60, ~ mahe IeIiI "a u
before Hannah gets here" she said.
But instead Of boiling to Jelly the carrant
tuice boiled over in great foamy, red waves
The fire hissed, and dense smoke and
pungcnt scent Of burning sweets filed the
kitchen.
Gpatterel from head to foot with tho hot
liquid, one hand scalded, her pretty face be-
smeared, Nell retreated 10 the door in utter de-
spair.
"0h, | wish had never -
The sentence was never finished.
She stood dumb with horror Tor coming
leisurely along the sunny garden-path she saw
her husband aud his particular friend Mr.
Warburton.
" lie has invited him horne to dinner J" she
glsped, dar,ing back into the smoky kitchen.
d" Oh, what shall do?
Two or three narrowing minutes Of sus-
pense and her husband entered.
Nell, are you here? And what is the
matter? Is the whole kitchen on fire The
I Whoie place u w IoS'
Nell came forward, looking more like tat
tooed Indhn than the pretty woman she was.
I'm making cuuant jelly, aud thought
You wouldn't be home ill late, Ned"
Does it require such a mess as this to
make currant jelly? And what fright you
are, Nell? I've brought WarburtOn home to
dine
There's not mou,hful Of diuner, Ned"
What 2" Didnt send ham aud pair
of chickens"
"Ibad no time to cook I've been making
jelly all day"
"COufound the jelly Conc, Nell you
must get up some show Of diuner."
"r can't Ned I'm tired to death, and
my hands burned. You shouldn't have in
vited Mr. Watbur;on without letting me
/ know"
Now, jus, hear that" cried the provoked
husband, "aiter telling me so often TO bring =
friend whenever liked I'm surprised a.
you, NellW
Nell ssnk back into a scot, and covering
her face with her sticky apron burst into tears,
while the Jelly began 10 stream over again.
Her husband, half beside himself with the
Kissing noise aud his own vexation, made
dive at the kettle, and, in bis efforts tn get 1t
Oft the stove, upset H. delugiug the floor
"Tm glad of IL You've no business at
tempting to make the coniounded stuff when
you dout know bow" he cried, ilouncing ont
Of the kitchen, and leaving bis wife to hayo her
cry out. "I1l 60 aud send Warburton away
r,.,r t,stuc sUUVvu ~" "'"''''N
o, rae ne meandering red river at her feet, until
Hannah entered.
"Why, dearie, what trouble you're in, to DO
sure and all your Jelly wasted Bot never
mind well have the next kettle all right"
Nell spraug up aud threw herself into the
old woman arms.
"Ob, Hannah and Ned's gone to send Mr.
Warburton away without his dinner. and he'll
never forgive ne, sho sobbcd.
YES, he will, dearie, yes. he will-dOn't
you fret I've sent them over TO your mo-
theirs for lunch. And now let me tell you
wha, to DO. Put all this jelly-making by till
to-morrow-well begin brigh. and carly in
the morning, and -
:" But, Hannah, il won't come to jelly"
"Oh, yes, it viii, when VIC add little gela-
tine"
Didn't | tell you, maan ?" muitcfcd
Jane, mopping up the red river.
Never mind the jelly now" continued
Hannah "you and Jane set to work and get
up nice little supper, and take down your
curIs and put on your prc,;icst gown, aud I'll
hurry over and send the master and bis guest
back about sunset tLat'll make everything
right"
Nell demurred little.
Ned was cruel to get into passion be
knew couldn't help it," she sobbed.
Old Hannah gave her a look.
Hush, my dearie pu, that foolish prido
10 your pocket you can't afford to spoil yoor
happiness. Mind what old Hannah says"
And Nell obeyed
She and Jane worked as they never did be-
fore in all their lives.
Sunset found The kitchen as clean as a new
pin-tbe unfortunate jelly banished, and the
dainties, Of supper tables set.
And as the sun went down Nell found her
self walking down the garden path 10 meet
her husband, robed in crisp, white muslin, a
scarlet ribbon zobipg her waist, rose in beE
hair.
Nm gald 10 see you, Mr. Warburton," she
said, smilingIy. "You have found me in great
tribulation to-day. I attempted what did
not understand, and got into trouble. Ned,
dear, forgive me, and bring your friend into
supper"
"Oh, Nell, what brute was" whisper
ed her husbond, OBTAINING her at the kitchen
door. Can you forgive me? And your
poor hand burned, too. III dig up every
currant bush in the garden to-monow J"
h "No, Ned" she replied " shall learn to
make curran. Jelly tomorrow. Let them
alone"
Justice Schwab and bis gang reminds US Of