The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1882-08-10

noun guitar; the sweet, 'subdued tinkle
OF Alice laughter; tile deep, monoten-
Gus under-currento of gentlemen 5 voices.
ana then she glanced down at her pretty
muslin dress and bows of pink ribbon.
and began to think that Miss Calhoun
mad taken an unfair advantage of her.
II she could only have heard the rapid
and energetic colloquy whiel. transpired
between the two sisters in their drassinc-
room when first Alicia came up stairS
she would perhaps have better compre-
hended the drift of things.
Good newsin Miss .Calhoun had
cried, waving her scented pocket hand
kerchief in the air. eve got a girl in
the kitchenr' is''A
No!' said Miss Bell, fair-haired
cream-complexioned dansel with pale
oiue eyes and perpetual smile.
Rachel Ramsey nodded Alice.
Tome up here, in her best bib and
tucker, to spend the day. OF course I
conflscated her at once.''
:. The bold, pushing thingp, said Bell,
with disdainful gesture.
=" She's deal too pretty to bring into
the drawing-room for Haroldson and
Armlne Dallis to fiirt with,' added Miss
Alce, knowingly. 'sAnd don't see any
way that could have. avoided it if It
naant been for those lucky chickens and
Bridget's fortunate fit of temper. Make
haste, now. THEY'LL be here in a min
ute. And / know little Rachel is a first
class cook, for PVe been there to tea" !"
so the young ladies of the Tower were
enjoying the feast of reason and the flow
OF soul in theircool drawing-room, with
BOOKS. new-gathered roses. aud blue
r1oboned guitars, while poor Rachel RAM
say was broiling in the kitchen over
peach-tarts and Neapolitan creams.
She had not forgotten her disappoint-
ment. but, artist-like, she had thrown
herself into her occupation with en-
crossing interest, and she was stirring the
creams with a quick, energetic hand,
when step crossed the threshold.
"Here are some fresh trout, Bridget.
to surprise your mistress" said clear
voice.
And, to her infinite amazement. Har-
old Haroldson stood before her, in his
hunting-costume, with a fshing-rod
lightly balanced on his shoulder.
Pm not Bridget said the gifl.s
laughing, but still stirring on. ~. I'm
Racheln
$ Miss Ramsayr' he exclaimed, lifting
his cap. How in the name of all that
is wonderful came you herep''
And then, not without humor, Rachel
detailed the manner and incidents of
her capture. IA
s | am the maid-of-all-work. If YOU
please, she said, with a courtesy.
"Then let me help you,n said Mr..
Haroldson, briskly tying a second bib
apron around his hunting suit. II used
to be pretty good hand at spider and
gridiron when l camped out on Lake
Cupsuptic, up in Maine, y
/" But you're not engaged said Ra-
chel. half-pleased, half Enlightened.
j Il can volunteer observed the young
man. .'Givcme the OIL and vinegar, and
yon will see what dressing, ala nsayon-
naise, | can provide for that saiad Of
yonrs''
And if ever pair of cooks spent de-
lightful, unconventional sort of morning
in the kitchen, this pair did.
They laughed, they made innocent
jokes, they behaved like two school
children.
And at last, when Rachel had run out
into the garden to gather some water
crosses to deck the newly-roasted fowls,
Mr.. Haroldson heard the voice of Miss
Bell Calhoun calling down the stairway:
Rachel! Rachel! you may serve the
dinner. Every one is here but that tire
some Haroldsonn'
"And he here. too,s calmly respond
ed that gentleman, who was washing his
hands at the pump.
"WhGtn cried Bell, shrilly.
The cook and butler are expected "a
5ake their meals in the kitchen,n said
Mr.. Haroldson, with commendable |
gravity. And I've no objection what
ever to that arrangement. =
And nothing could induce Harold |
Haroldson to come up to the tfinfnps
.oom. He and Rachel together ate their |
,icnicking sort Of repast, and washed
he dishes-although the matter some
what lost its spice when the Misses CAL
loun and their company all adjourned.
m masse, to the kitchen, and persisted /
n joining their ranks.
And when the purple sunset came
down over the dark cedars that
,verhung the brawling stream, and the /
ray guests had all departed, Alice and /
Bell Calhoun gazed obviously at each
,ther.
"Was ever anything SO provoking?"
laid Bell. $3.50
He has actually gone home with
lerr' said Alice, bursting into angry
ears.
ssAnd after all the pains We. took to
zeep them apart?" sighed Bell.
s.It'was all your fauIt!n petulantly ex-
laimed Alice. Noticing that farmers
laughter, and dragging her out of her
phere in that sort Of way!'' /.
.But it was you that plamed yourself
n getting her into the kitchen, = scolded I
Sell. aAnd nice mess you've made
# it!''
s.But how were we to tell that it was
.oing to end sop groaned poor Alice:
well, Rachel said Granny Ram
ay, when the girl came in, just as the
amps were lighted, .what sort of day
id you have?''
..a cbarn,;nrt,s cais3 Rachel sI en-