Hand County press. (Miller, Dakota [S.D.]) 1882-1893, 1882-06-21
"Can you make French soup ?"
"I can"

BE sure the vegetables are not over
done. and the coffee good-my brother
Is very particular about his coffee. And
we will have a Florentine pudding ?,
with an inquiring look.
"Yes'm," readily.
The new cook was already gird;np
himself with one Of the white towels
that lay on the dresser, and casting
scrutinizin glance at the range fire.
Quite reassured in spirit, Emma was
turning away when she stopped tasdd !:
"I will lay the table myself to- day,
Mac, and fill the fruit. dishes and vases
but il you give satisfaction will intrust
you with the key of the china closet,
and you will have the entire care of the
table"
And with gracious nod the young
lady withdrew from the kitchen.
She piled the fruit dishes with rosy
pears, golden oranges and white grapes;
filed 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
satisfaction at the result, ran away to
dress.
"Ill not SO near the kitchen to even
smell the dinner. 1 don't know any,
thing about cooking it and will trust to
luck. have an idea that Mac is really
capable-is going to prove treasure.
His dress was SO neat and he was SO
quiet and respectful, concluded Emma,
leisurely arranging her hair.
Her new dress, with its abundant lace
and cardinal ribbons, was very becom-
ing and fitted the petite, round figure SO
perfectly that Emma felt at peace with
all the world.
81 have heard that Mr.. Arthur Max
well is very fastidious in the matter Of
ladies' Dress" mused Emma, twisting
her head over her shoulder to sec the
effect of her sash. az wonder what his
first impression of me will be / should
like to have poor Ally's brother like
me-"
Atlength the last bracelet was clasped,
the last touch given, and, retiring back.
ward from the mirror with q 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 Mr.. Vincent, the tutor, who
was always at her service for this exer,
else.
There was a delightfully."- savory odor
pervading the house, when she came
dowa rid set out .he wine and ice, sad
u additions to the table.
aed at her watch-3:05. Then
e softly to the end of the hall,
and listened to the lively clatter in the
kitchen. She could hear Mac chatting
pleasantly with the little housemaid,
Nanny, and oil seemed to be well in
that direction.
At $40 she repaired to the drawing
room and took seat overlooking the
street.
Carriages came and carriages went,
but none stopped al the entrance.
The little girls, brave in new ribbons,
came down.
The boys and Mr.. Vincent came down.
Mr.. Maye's latch-key ratified in the
door, the dinner-bell rang.
"No. come ?" asked Mr.. Maye, at sight
of Emma's disappointed face.
"No," she pouted "and such a nice
dinner
livery strange r mused that gentle
man, now leading the way into the din
ing.room. 81 hadn't the least doubt
WHY, my dear fellow" seizing by the
shoulders the new cook. who, acting
also MS butler, had just placed the soup
tureen upon the table-"ny dear fellow,
why, how is this? Emma declared you
hadn't Gomez
That young lady grew as white as the
table cloth, and grasped a chair for sup
port.
"That Mr.. Arthur Maxwellp II
thought it was the cook.
~ came earlier than l expected, and
in time to make myself useful to Miss
Emma" laughed Mr.. Maxwell, diyest-
ing himself of his white towel and bow
ing with grace to that young lady.
How could she have fallen into such
an error?
81 was so terribly anxious--I didn't
look at you twice. Mr.. Maxwell, Ihope
YOU will forgive me + stammered EN-
ma. 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 O student in Paris-a
Frenchman taught me. I have been
rather proud Of my culinary skill, but !
am little out OF practice now. and am
not quite sure of the Florentine.
"Emma," cried Mr.. Maye, "what
does this mean? 2"
"Why, John, you promised 70 send
me up man cook"
MIR. Maye clasped his hands tragically.
Emma, forgot 1t. )"
"well, he came just at 10 o'clock. l
Thought he was the cook ! Iushered hin.
IA L;Aehan among the pots and