Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1881-11-22

the shell. the buttermilk biscuit was still
unmixed, and Mrs. Meredith, with
pocket handkerchief tied around her pref
ty brown hair, was busting the little
drawing.room, when there came ring
at the door bell. She put the perturbed
head out of the window in most uncer-
emonious manner.
"Who is there ," she demanded in q
high contralto.
"Does Mrs. Meredith live here ?" re-
torted woman's voice. And at the same
moment the young matron caught sight
of neat, black leather bag, a black al
pacs dress and o shawl Of the plainest
Highland plaid. -.
"It's the new girl. thank Providence
said Mrs. Meredith, as she ran down the
stairs, thanking honest Cba.lie in her
heart for his unexpected promptitude.
Come in" said she, opening the
door wide, Il am so glad that you are
punctual, my dear girl. From the Clair's
Intelligence Bureau. | suppose. No!
Don't take your things off up here; the
servants room is down stairs; you may
as well come down to the Kitchen
She led the way down, followed by
the new girl. whose countenance bore q
rather bewidered expression.
"What is your name: ," she asked pat
ronizingly.
my name! Oh. it's Martha" replied
he stranger in confusion.
"Martha:' critically repeated Mrs.
Meredith, "wha, an ugly name | think
/ shall call YOU Patti. Have you good
references ;"
"I-I believe SO"
81 think, said Mrs. Meredith, survey
ing her from top to toe, "you are little
over dressed for your situation; but of
course you have palmer clothes when it
comes"
The stranger lifted pair Of blue eyes
to the tall form girdled around with
towel, who was vigorously wrestling with
the claws OF a stupendous lobster a. the
table beyond.
DO you keep man cook" asked
the girl.
Mrs. Meredith drew herself up. Ger
,ainly not. This is my brother, Mr.. Sell
wyn. who is kindly assisting me to make
salad"
But he i, not doing it right. He
will never get the meat out Of the shell
in that way. Let me show you, Mr.,
Selwyn."
And with def, fingers she loosened the
white fibre from the shell in manner
that made Mr.. Selwyn cry bravo"
And now, Patti, | will show you
where things are, and leave you to get up
as nice lunch as YOU can, for at $50
o'clock we are expecting my husband $
cousin from Philadelphia. lwant every
thing in perfect order.
IL will finish that salad. said Tom.
who had secretly been watching the pref
" face and trim figure Of the new domes-
tic, now that have commenced it. But
YOU need not look peturbed, Patti, If that
i, YOUR name. will be careful no, to
get in your way. And you ask my sister
if am not handy sort of fellow around
the kitchen"
Kate shook her head sureptitiously at
Tom behind the screen. but he resolutely
Affected no, to perceive the warning ges-
ture.
Half an hour sfterwsrd he came to the
dining room, where Mrs. Meredith was
arranging her bes, lilac and gold china.
Kate, she's jewel; gem OF the
first water. Depend upon it she has not
Away, worked in q kitchen. | quoted
Shakespeare, apropos Of something or 9TH
er. and she recognized the grand old words
at once-her eyes frightened, and you
should have seen the color come into her
cheeks"
Quoted Shakespeare to common
kitchen girl" cried Mrs. Meredith, IN
amazement.
But | told you she is not common
kitchen girl"
IL don't believe in high life below
stairs" said his sister. disdsintully.
The lunch came up at 2:30 in perfect
order, but no cousin from Philadelphia
arrived, no hack rolled up at the door.
"How provoking" said Kate. "Miss
Meredith must have missed some connect
ing train. Charlie will be so vexed. But,
however, | do no, so much mind compa.
ny coming in a. any time, now that
have got an excellent girl"
The dinner of delicately roasted quail
and rabbit fricassee, with a dessert Of
custard and jelly, was duly served at pre-
cisely I CLOCK, at which hour Mr.. Mere
dith pounced in, hot and flushed with the
haste he had made.
"Where is she :"
"where is who ;" cried Kate.
"My cousin from Philadelphia"
mot come"
mot ;"
Mr.. Meredith drew . sigh Of mingled
relief and regret. y.
Then, after all, it is not so unlucky,"
said he.
"What is not so unlucky. My dear
Charles, you are expressing yourself al
together in a riddle"
THAT l forgot all about the oysters
and the zephyr wool, and the servant
girl"
Forgot
"Yes-forgot Isn't that plain Eng
lishs"
"But YOU did not forget demonstrated