The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1882-04-22

- Odu yOu iudkc y CclcIy o&ldu.
81 think l can"
"And Mayonnaise sauce for the cold
chicken?'
"Yes'm." ...s.s~
"Can you make French soup'N
81 can"
80, well, I guess you will do" be-
ginning to look relieved. "Be sure the
vegetables are not overdone, and the
coffee good-my brother is very par
ticular about his coffee. And we will
have Florentine pudding?" with an
inquiring look.
"Yes'm," readily. ipa
The new cook was already girding
himself with one of the white towels that
lay on the dresser, and casting q scru-
tenizing glance at the range fire.
Quite treasured in spirit, Emma was
turning away, when she stopped to add:
II will lay the table myself to-day,
Mac, and fill the fruit-dishes and vases;
but if you give satisfaction, will intrust
you with the key Of the china closet, and
you will have the entire care of the Ia
ble;" and with gracious nod the young
lady withdrew from the kitchen.
She piled the fruit-dishes with rosy
pears, golden oranges and white grapes;
filled the vases with roses, lilies and
ferns; set clusters of dainty glasses, filed
with amber jelly, among the silver and
china, and then, with sigh of satisfac-
ton at the result, ran away to dress.
I'm not go near the kitchen to even
smell of the dinner. / don't know any
thing about cooking it, and will trust to
luck. 1 have an idea that Mac is real
capable-is going to prove treasure.
His dress was so neat, and he was SO
quiet and respectful" concluded Emma,
leisurely arranging her bangs.
Her new dress, with its abundant lace
and cardinal ribbons, was very becoming,
and fitted the petite, round figure 20 per-
fectly that Emma felt ut peace with all
the world.
II have heard that Mr.. Arthur Max
well is very fastidious in the matter of
ladies' Dress" unused Emma, twisting
her head over her shoulder to see the
effect of her sash. q wonder what his
first impression of me will bep l should
like to have poor Ally's brother like me-"
At length the last bracelet was clasped,
the last touch given, and retiring back
ward from the mirror, with radiant
face, Emma turned and ran up to the
to order the children dressed
for company. and also to speak with the
and, it must be confessed, firt .
little with Mr.. Vincent. the tutor, who
was always at her service for this exer-
cise s
There was delightfully."- savory odor
prevailing the house, when she came
down and set out the wine and ice, and
made few amendments of the table.
Before Alice died she had painted an ex-
quisite ebony ring for her brother, and
this Emma placed with the napkin de-
signed for Mr.. Arthur Maxwell, think
ing how artistic and pretty everything
was, and deciding that the gentleman's
first impression must be pleasant.
She looked at her watch-five minutes
past three. Then she went softly to the
end of the hall, and listened to the lively
clatter in the kitchen. She could hear
Mac chattering pleasantly with the little
housemaid, Nancy, and all seemed to be
well in that direction.
At three-ten she repaired to the draw
ing groom, and took a seat overlooking
the street. Carriages came and carriages
went, but none stopped at the entrance.
The little girls, brave in new ribbons,
came down; the boys and Mr.. Vincent
came down. Mr.. Maye's latch-key set
tied in the door, the dinner-bell rang.
mot Gomez" asked Mr.. Maye, at
sight of Emma's disappointed face.
"No," she pouted; land such a nice
dinnerr'
Every strangely unused that gentle
man, leading the way into the dinner
room. 81 hadn't the least doubt-.W Why,
my dear fellow" Selling by the should
ers the new cook, who, acting also as
butler. had just placed the soup-tureen
upon the table" dear, dear fellow, why
how is this? Emma declared you hadn't
comer'
That young lady grew as white as the
table-cloth and grasped chair for sup
port.
"7hat Mr.. Arthur MAXWELL II
thought it was the cookr' f
II came earlier than expected, and
In time to make myself useful to Miss
Emma" laughed Mr. Maxwell, divest-
ing himself of his white towel and bow
ing with exquisite grace to that young
lady.
The cultivated accents, the ambrosial
locks of the bent head, the clear, elo-
quent, beautiful eyes-oh, why hadn't
she known? How could she have fallen
into such an error?
Il was so terribly anxious-I didn't
look at you twice. Mr.. Maxwell, l hope
you sDilI forgive mer' stammered Emma,
as red now as she had been pale.
'There is nothing to forgive, if my
dinner turns out WELL" he added, laugh
ing, evidently the sweetest-tempered
man in the world. II learned to cook
when I was astudent in Paris-a French
man taught me. / haze been rather
proud of my culinary skill, but l am
little out of practice now, and am not
quite sure of the Florcntine."
"Emmar' cried Mr.. Maye, what does
all this mean?''
"Why, John, you promised to send
me up q hancock"