Connecticut western news., 1882-05-31

lay on the dresser, and casting @ scrutinizing glance at the range fire.
 Quite reassured in spirit, Emma was turning away when she stopped to add:
 "I 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 table" >.s
 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 filled with amber jelly among the silver and china, and then, with a sigh of satisfac. tion at the result, ran away to dress.
 '1'll not go near the kitchen to even smell the dinner. I don't know any thing about cooking it and will trust to luck. l have an idea that Mac is really capable-is going to prove treasure. His dress was so neat aud he was so quiet and respectful" concluded Emma, leisurely arranging her hair.
 Her new dress, with it's abundant lace and cardinal ribbons, was very becom- ing and fitted the petite, round figure so perfectly that Emma felt at peace ~ith all the world.
 "I have heard that MT. Arthur Max we'll is very fastidious in the matter of ladies' dress," unused Emma, twisting her head over her shoulder to see the effect of her sash. "I wonder what his first impression os me will be. I should like to have poor Abby's brother like me-"
 At length the last bracelet was clasped, the last touch given, and retiring back 1 ward from the mirror with a radiant face, Emma turned and ran up to the nursery to see the children dressed for company and also to speak with the boys-and, it must be confessed, flirt little with MT. Vincent, the tutor, who was always at her service for this exer- else.
 There was delightfully."- savory odor prevailing the house, when she came down and set out the wine and ice and made few additions to the table.
 She looked at her watch 3:O5. Then she went softly to the end of the hall, and listened to the lively chatter in the kitchen. She could hear Mao chatting pleasantly with the little housemald, Nanny, and all seemed to be well in that | direction.
 At 3:10 she repaired to the drawing room and took 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 MT. Vincent came down.
 MT. Maye's latch-key settled in the door, the dinner-bell rang. "Not come2" asked MT. Nave, at sight of Emma's disappointed face.
 ''No, "she pouted; "and such nice dinner p
 "Very stranger unused that gentle man, leading the way into the dining room. "I hadn't the least doubt Why, my dear fellow," seizing by the shoulders the new cook, who, acting also as butler, had just placed the soup tureen upon the table" my dear, dear fellow, why, how is this? Emma de- clared you hadn't come P 1 That young lady grew as white as the table-cloth, and grasped chair for SUD- port.
 "That Mir. Arthur Maxwell? IT thought it was the cook"
 "I came earlier than expected. and in time to make myself useful to Miss Emma," laughed MT. Maxwell, diveft- ing himself of his white towel and bow ing with grace to that young lady.
 How could she have fallen into such an error?
 !" I was so terribly anxious-I didn't look at you twice. Mir, Maxwell, I hope you will forgive mel" stammered !, Emma, as red now as she had been pale. ! "There is nothing to forgive, If my dinner turns out wel]," he added, l AouS LIc S"e6tOSG- GCI1- f pered man in the world. "I learned to cook when I was student in Paris-a Frenchman taught me. I have been 2 rather proud of my culinary skill, but I am little out of practice now, and am , not quite sure of the Florentine." ] "Emma P cried MT. Nave, "what does all this mean? ?" "Why, John, you promised to send me up man cook" MT. Nave clasped his hands tragic, , ally.
 '"Emma, forgot it.'' f "Well, he came just at 10 o'clock
 thought he was the cook ushered 3 him into the kitchen, among the pots
 and pans. I Iquestioned him as to what ! he knew about cooking. I urged hin 7 to make all haste and serve the dinner
 and-and I called him an Irishman r s sobbed Emma hysterically. "No offense, Miss Emma. My grand
 father, on my mothers slde-Majol e Trelawny-was an Irishman," observed !, MT. Maxwell coolly. "And since hay, s done my best won't you try the soul v before 1t is cold P v The others stared and Emma cried s but MT. Msye laughed-laughed up I roarionsly.
 The best joke of the season Si
 down. every body Emma, you foolisl I zsE IL