Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1880-03-02

executed her next flank movement
"Sarah," she said, turning to the girl
"bring the cake off the dresser" Wher
large, beautifully plum cak'
was set before her she said suavely t.
her guests: "This cake, my friends. wa.
made by Melissa's pretty hands, and
do not think you wiU find it seasoned
with pepper and vinegar, as my pool
high tempered Polly seasoned her pies
1t had flashed through Polly's head
what, perhaps, she had done; but tt
have it insinuated that she did it on pur
pose was too much, and with choke in
her throat, which she was was afraid
would break out in sob, Polly left the
room.
Miss Phoebe had never loved her or
phan niece nay, more she had always
disliked her: but since the advent OF the
minister in the village society she had
seemed to hate her with all the venom
of an embittered nature. She had fed
and clothed her since infancy because
she. had promised her dying brother she
would do so, and "duty" was Miss
Phnbe's watch word. The little lonely
thing had won no place in her heart, be-
cause from the very first it had turned
from her and called her ugly and cross.
Miss Phoebe asserted, upon what foun-
dation was questionable, that but for
this encumbrance she would now be the
wife of a wealthy farmer in neighbor-
ing county.
So all that mad been done for the child
had been done grudgingly, but notwiths
standing she grew up beautiful and
bright The towns people, with whom
Miss Phoebe was no favorite, whispered
that she would never forgive Polly for
being so pretty-it was continual cross
to her. And perhaps this was so, for at
that time Ph9be's eyes were cast on the
minister, but finding that there was not
a shadow of chance for her, she de-
termined, to use her own expression,
that Polly should not "entrap him." and
she set to work accordingly.
Mr.. Thompson Jones, in other words
Tom Jones, and his young wife 1nhabit-
on Twenty fifth street. The street lamps
were lighted and glistening with frost.
It was dusk of snowy night in the lat
ter part of November.
Mr.. Jones and his wife chatted and
laughed over cosy tea table.
How do you like your new girl,
| dear?" queried Tom "I never saw a
better cooked steak must be good
| cook"
"Good ~ echoed Mrs. Jones 81 think
she is she is a jewel, a treasure. And,
Tom," she continued, enthusiastically,
'have you seen her? She is perfect
beauty"
Eyes" said Tom, absently, "but she
only struck ME as looking too young to.
know much. By the way, 1 heard from
Frank to day he will take dinner with
US to morrow. By Jove, won't be a
happy man! 4 new house (paid for,)
pretty+wife, good cook, and dear old
Frank to sit at my board. Do you know
he has had call here?"
"Of course ne will accept it," inter
rupted Mrs. Jones. at is ashame for a
man with his talents to bury himself in
such an obscure village"
''Of course he will. / wrote to him
that would show him perfect house
tomorrow, Mrs. Jones SO be prepared
for exploration of all your premises ev-
cry water-pipe will be examined. Of
course they are always spotlessly clean,
but thought [ would warn you-and
keep your pretty cook out of the way,
tfor I want him TO think Mrs. Jones the
prettiest woman in the house at any
rate"
The next day dawned bright and
clear.
Polly looked wistfully out fthe base
ment window of the house in Twenty
fifth street. She would have liked to
join the throng of richly dressed people
crowding to hear the new minister call
ed to the church around the corner.
The dinner hour was five, SO she could
have found time to SO, but since she had
been in her new capacity 1t was only by
great effort that she compelled herself
to go out to buy necessary clothing. She
watched little Mrs. Jones trail down the
steps in an elegant velvet walking suit,
leaning on her husbands arm. Polly
wiped mist from her eyes, and, con-
cluding the front window was not good
for her, she went back to the kitchen
and wsrbled little song to cheer her
self And the canary in his cage took
up the song, and no harsh voice silenced
them. The poor child always comf mforted
herself with the thought that her pre-
sent menial position waa only tempo
rary ; she only assumed it until she
could find some other way to make a
living. Mrs. Jones was very sweet and
kind, kinder than any one she had lived
with during the year. She really had
something to be thankful for.
Feeling that she must not indulge in
repining On such q day, rolly summon .
her brightest thoughts, and even dim
pie Or two peeped out as she thought of
that happy morning over the pies, and
of her absurd mistake g year ago. -..r
II suppose he and Melissa are married
long since. Oh! if I could hear him
speak once more " -.-.,..- s.-sJ.- ......
The morning slipped away, and Polly
was surprised when she heard them
coming home from church.
Again she was making pumpkin pies.
Mrs. Jones said; "Oh! do you make
good loid-fsshionable pumpkin pies p
Mr.. Jones thinks there Is nothing more
delicious, and know he would like to
have some"
So now the new cook stood beside the
table with her curls tucked under q
somewhat coquettish little cap, long,
demure apron on, and her sleeves rolled
up. Presently she heard steps and
laughing voices in the passage, the door
opened, and she looked up surprised,
with her sitter in her hands, Mrs. Jones
was holding her long velvet skirt
around her, and saying: "TOm is such
q goose; he thinks nobody ever had
such house, and he will drag you from
garret. to cellar. I hope you do moi
mind" -
Receiving no answer, she turned and
looked at her guest. He was standing
in front of Polly, who, crimson and
trembling, was letting the flour drih5ls
down on the floor. "Can It be possible "
he said, huskily; "can it be possible
that | have found you! OPoIly, thank
} Heaven, | have found you! I had al.
most lost hope" And right there, be.
fore the astonished eyes of Mr.. and
: Mrs. Jones, the floury arms of their new
, cook went round the minister's neck
and she was sobbing on his immaculate
coat. But arn't you married to Melis.
, sa ?' came from the depths of the ccat
The minister smiled at th:s we'll timed
remark. r .I.
- nave never contemplated such {
, thing for moment" he anwered; 81
have never loved any one bat you, Pol
ly, since the morning T overheard
your aunt abusing you, and I caused
you to utpepperin the pies. You bor'
1t all so meekly and patiently that
: though had only admired you before
, | loved you from that moment"
: isn't il the most o,1.atio thing tina