The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1882-08-12

ucuutu the UTut Oh tulugc.
"Good newsr' Miss Calhoun had
cried, waving her scented pocket hand
kerchief in the air. ''I'vc got girl in
the kitchenr'
+" Nor said Miss Bell, fair-haired.
ream-complexioned damsel, with pale
blue eyes and perpetual smile.
% Rachel Ramsey" nodded Alice.
"Come up here, in her best bib and
tucker, to spend the day. Of course |
confiscated her at once
1.-THE bold, pushing thingr' said Bell,
with disdainful gesture.
:. She's deal too pretty to bring into
the drawing-room for Haroldson and
Armine Dallis to fiirt WITH" added Miss
Alice, knowingly. Sand l don't see any
way that could have avoided it if it
hadn't been for those lucky chickens and
Bridget's fortunate fit of temper. Make
haste, now. They'll be here in min
ute. And know little Rachel is first
class cook, for I've been there to tea"
So the young ladies of the Tower were
enjoying the feast of reason and the flow
of soul in their cool drawing-room, with
books, new-gathered roses aud blue
ribboned 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 quick, energetic hand.
when a 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 fishing-rod
lightly balanced on his shoulder
I'm not Bridget" said the girl.
laughing, but still stirring on. I'm
Rachel
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.
81 am the maid-of-all-work, if you
please" she said, with courtesy.
"Then let me help you," said Mr..
Haroldson, briskly tying second bib
apron around his hunting suit II used
to be pretty good hand at spider and
gridiron when camped out on Lake
Cupsuptic, up in Maine.''
"But you're not engaged" said Ra-
chel, half-pleased, half-frightened.
lean volunteer" observed the young
man. "Give me the oil and vinegar, and
you win see what dressing, a la mayor
'Iaise, l can provide for that salad of
yours
And if ever a 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! Rachell you may serve the
dinner. Every one is here but that tire
some Haroldsonr'
'And he's here, too" calmly respond
ed that gentleman, who was washing his
hands at the pump.
"Whatr cried Bell, shrilly.
The cook and butler are expected to
take their meals in the Kitchen" said
Mr.. Haroidson, with commendable
gravity. ''And I've no objection what
ever to that arrangement.
And nothing could induce Harold
Haroldson to come up to the dining
room. He and Rachel together ate their
picnicking sort of repast, and washed
the although the matter some
what lost its spice when the Misses CAL
houn and their company all adjourned,
es naasse, to the kitchen, and persisted
in joining their ranks.
And when the purple sunset came
dreamily down over the dark cedars that
overhung the brawling stream, and the
gay guests had all departed. Alice and
Bell Calhoun gazed obviously at each
other.
WAS ever anything so provokingg"
said Bell.
HE has actually gone home with
herr said Alice, bursting into angry
tears.
"And after all the pains we took to
keep them apart'" sighed Bell.
lit was all your faultr' petulantly ex-
claimed Alice. Noticing that farmer
daughter, and dragging her out of her
sphere in that sort of wayr'
"But it was you that plumed yourself
on getting her into the kitchen. scolded
Bell. "And nice mess you've made
of itr'
"But how were we to tell that it was
going to end SOP" groaned poor Alice.
"Well, Rachel" said Granny Ram
say, when the girl came in, just as the
lamps were lighted, s.what sort of day
did you haveY'
20, charmingr' said Rachel. Il en-
joyed myself more than ever l did be-
fore at the Tower, and / never went out
of the kitchen. They had company, and
/ helped get dinner.''
'.Humphr' grunted granny. That's
queer wayof entertaining visitors. But