Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1883-02-02

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eyes and a perpetual smile.
"Rachel Ramsey nodded Alice. come
| mp here with her best bib and tucker to
spend the day. OF course l confscated
| her at Once.'' -
..She'se deal too pretty to brig into
The drawing-room for Hsrnldson and Ar
mine Dallas to fi,rt WITH" added Miss
Alice. knowingly. And don't sea any
way that l 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 lie here 10 minute,
And know little Rachel is first-class
cook. for I've been there to tea"
So the young ladies of the Tower were
moving the feast of reason and the ssw
4 soul in their cool drawing room. with
'ooks. newly gathered roses aud blue-rib-
baned guitars. while poor Rachel Ramsey
vas hroiling in the kitchen oyer peach
arts and Neapolitan creams.
She had not fnrg atten her disappoin'.
ment. but artist like, she had thrown her
salt ITO her occupation with engrossing
interest, and she was stirring her creams
with a quick energetic hand when q step
crossed the threshold.
''Here are soma fresh trout, Bridget, to
nrprise your Mistress said a clear
voice.
And to her infinite amazement, Harold
Flaroldson stood before her in his hunting
costume, with a fishlng-rod lightly balanc-
ed on his shoulder.
'sI'm not Bridget" said the girl. laugh-
ing, but still stirring on. ''I'm Rachel"
''Miss Ramsey!" lie exclaimed. lifting
his cap. 'How in the name of all that is
wonderful came you here?"
And then, not without humor, Rachel
detailed the manner and incidents of her
capture.
Il am the maid -of-all-work. if you
please" she said, witt courtesy.
Then let me help you,'' said Mr.. Har-
'dson, bgiskly, tying second bib apron
Mound his hunting shirt. II used to be a
pretty good hand at spider and gridiron
when1 camped out on Lake Cupsuptid, up
in Name"
But you are not engaged, said Rachel
half pleased, half frightened.
II can volunteer" observed the young
man. ''Glve me the oil and vinegar, and
YOU will see what dressing la naayon-
naise. can provide for that salad of
yours"
And if ever pair of cooks spent de-
liehtfnl, unconventional morning in the
kitchen. this pair dill.
They laughed. they made innocent Jokes,
they behaved like two school children.
And at last, when Rachel ran out into
the garden to gather some watercresses to
deck the newly roasted fowls, Hr. Harold
son heard the voice of Miss Bell Calhoun
calling down the stairway:
Rachel! Rachel! you may serve the din
ner. Every one Is here but that tiresome
Harnldson ~
'.And he's here too" calmly responded
that gentleman, who was washing his hands
At the pump
"Whdtl' cried Bell shrilly.
1.-The c)ok and butler are expected tn
take their meals in the kitchen, !" said Mr..
Haroldson, with commendable gray ty.-
And I've TO objection whatever to that
arrangement"
And nothing could induce Harold Har
| OldsOn to come up to the dining room. He
and Rachel together ate their picnicing sort
uf repast and washed the dshes-al-
III ugh the matter somewhat lost its
spice when the Misses Calhoun and their
company all adjourned en- maasse to the
XII chen and persisted in joining their
rank.
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 provoking ?''
said Bell.
He has actually gone home with her ~
said Alice, bursting into angry tears.
''And after all the pains we took to keep
them apartI' said Bell
Its was all your fault" petulantly ex-
claimed Alice. Noticing that farmer IS
daughter, and, dragging her out Of her
sphere in that sort of way"
"But it was you that plumed yourself
IN getting her into the Kitchen" scolded
Bell And nice mess you we made of
it,
But how were we to know that it was
going to end sos" groaned poor Alice.
"Well, Rachel" said Granny Ramsey
when the girl came in, just as the lamps
we're lighted, "what sort of a day did you
have?"
"Oh, charming!" said Rachel. II enjoy
ed m yseIf more than ever did before at the
Tower. and l never went out of the kitch
en-. They had company and helped to gel
dinner"
s,Humph!" grunted granny. That's a
queer way OF entertaining visitors. But
p'raps that's city manners"
"Perlaps it is - said Rachel, demurely
sWho was it came home with you p
asked granny. who was not quite deaf Oh
blind as yet. 'and left you at the garden
gate?''
.One OF the other servants sale
Rachel.
e"Well, I never!' said granny. "Where'i
all your pride Rachel Ramsey?''
81 never was prouder in all my life thar
am to-nfght!' said Rachel. Listen
grandma. for have so much to tell you
Mr. Harold Harollson of New York walk
ed home with me-; and I've met him ever
~ many times this summer, at pic mics
and archery pa ties, and such places, but
never knew that he cared for me. AND
Tonight he asked me to marry him. and
he is to come here tomorrow morning to
see father.'