The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1882-04-14

s.'o ''SSA> $3.50 " - -
room, when there ca le a ring at the
door hell.
She put The perturbed head out of
the window in most unceremonious
manner.
sWho is there ?' she demanded in
high contralto.
"Does Mrs. Meredith live here p
retorted woman's voice. And at
the same instant the young matron
caught sight of ne at, black leather
bag, black alpaca dress and a
shawl of the plainrst Highland plaid.
tits the new girl, thank Provi-
dence p said Mrs. Meredith, as she
ran down the stairs, thanking honest
Charlie in her heart for bis unexpect-
ed promptness."
"Come in," said she, opening the
door wide, 81 am so glad that you
are punctnal, my good girl. From
st. Clair's intelligence bureau.
sppose 4? No, don't take your thir gs
off here; the servants room is down
stairs; SO you might just as well come
Immediately down to the Kitchen
She led the way down, followed
by the new girl, whose countenance
bore rather bewildered expression.
"What is your name ?" she asked
patronizingly.
"My name? Oh, it's Martha" re-
piled the stranger, in still greater
confusion. +
"Martha % critically repeated
Mrs. Meredith; "What an ugly
name! l think I shall call you Pat
tie. Have you good references ?'
"1-I believe so.''
II Think" said Mrs. Meredith sur
veying her from tip to toe, "you are
a-little over dressed for your situa-
tion, Pat,ie; but of course you have
some palmer clothes in your trunk,
when it comes p
The stranger lifted pair of grave
blue eyes to the tall form girlled
around with a towel, who was Wig
orously wrestling with the claws of
a stupendlous lobster at the table
bcyoBd.
DO you keep a man cook ?" asked
the girl.
Mrs. Meredith drew herself up.
"CertainIy not. This is my
brother, Mr.. Selwyu. who is kindly
assisting me TO make II salad"
''But he is lot doing it right. He
will never get the meat out Of the
shell in that way. Let me show you,
Mr.. Selwyn."
And with deft fingers she loosened
the white fiber from the shell in a
manner that made Mr.. Selwyn cry
bravo!
''And now, Pattle. 7 will show you
where the things are, and leave you
to get up as nice a lunch as you can,
for at 2:3O o'-ock we are expecting
my husbands cousin from Philadel-
phia. | want every thing in perfect
order"
Il will finish that salad" said Tom,
who had secretly been observing the
pretty face and trim figure of the
new domestic, ''now that have
it. But you need not
look pur:urbed, Pattie, it that is
your name. / will be careful not to
get in your way. And you ask my
sister if am not handy sort OF a
fellow around the Kitchen
Kate shook her head surreptitious-
ly at Tom behind the screen, but he
resolutely affected not to perceive the
gesture.
Half all hour afterward he came
up to the dining-room, where Mrs.
was arranging her best Ii
lac and gold china.
''Kate, she is jewel. A gem of
The first water. Depend upon it she
has not always worked in kitchen.
quoted Shakespeare, appropos of
or other, do not remem-
ber what, and she recognized the
grand old words at once-her eyes
frightened, and you should have seen
he color come into her cheeks"
"Quoting Shakespeare to a common
kitchen girl!'' cried Mrs. Meredith,
n amazement.
''But tell yon she is not com
non kitchen girl"
Il don't believe in high life below
stairs" said his sister, disdainfully.
The lunch came up at 2:30 in per-
ect order, but no cousin from Phila-
ielphia arrived, no hack rolled up to
he door.
Show provoking" said Kate.
Miss Meredith must have missed
'