Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1883-10-02

and she was stirring the creams with a
quick. energetic hand, when step crossed
the threshold.
!'Here are some fresh trout Bridget, to
surprise your MISTRESS said clear voice.
And, to her infinite amazement, Harold
Haroldson stood before her, in his hunting
costume, with f1shing-rod lightly balanced
on his shoulder.
'G'm not Bridget said the girl, laugh
ing but sJill stirring on. "I'm Rachel" :"
''NIiss Ramsayr' he exclaimed, lifting
his cap. ''How in the name of all that is
wonderful came you here?'
And then, not without humor, Rachel de-
tailed the manner and incidents OF her cap
ture.
81 am the maid-of-all- work, if you please"
she said, with a courtesy.
'Then let me help you," said Mr.. Har-
oldson, briskly tying a second bib-apron
around his hunting suit. 81 used to be a
pretty good hand at spider and gridiron
when | camped out on Lake CupSuptic, up
in Maine"
''But you're not engaged" said Rachel,
halfpleased, half-frighlened.
81 can volunteer" observed the young
man. ''Give me the oil and vinegar, and
you will see what dressing, lU ndyo1-
naise, [ can provide for that salad Of
yours"
And if ever pair of cooks spent de-
lightful unconventional sort Of morning in
the kitchen, that pair did.
They laughed, they made innocent jokes,
they behaved like two school children.
And at last, when Rachel had run out in
to the garden to gather some water-cresses
to deck the newly roasted fowls, Mr.. Har
oldson heard the voice of Miss Bell Calhoun
calling down the stairway:
'Rachel! RACHEL you may serve the
dinner. Every one is here but that tire
some Haroldson!''
"And he's here, too camly responded
that gentleman, who was Washing his hands
at the pump.
"What!" cried Bell, shrilly.
"The cook and butler are expected to
take their meals in the Kitchen said Mr.
Haroldson, with a commendable gravity.
''And I've no objection whatever to that
arrangement
And nothing could induce Harold Harold
son to come up to the dining-room. He
and Rachel together ate their picknicking
sort of repast, and washed the dishes-al
though the matter somewhat lost its spice
when the Misses Calhoun and their COM
pany all adjourned, en- neasse, to the kitch-
en-, and persisted in joining their ranks.
And when the purple sunset came dream
lily down over the dark cedars that over
hung 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 hertz
SAID Alice, bursting into angry tears.
'And after all the pains we took to keep
them apart?" sighed Bell
1T was all your faultp' petulantly ex-
claimed Alice. Noticing that farmers
daughter, and dragging her out of her
sphere in that sort Of way"
''But it was you that plumed yourself on
getting her into the Kitchen scolded Bell.
-"And a nice mess you've made of itr'
''But how were we to tell that it was
going to end ?'' groaned poor Alice.
'NWen, Rachel" said Granny Ramsay,
when the girl came in, ju as the lamps
were lighted, what sort of a day did you
have ?'
30, charmingr' said Rachel ''I enjoy
ed myself more than ever | did before at
the Tower, and 1 never went out of the
kitchen. "They had company, and helped
W get u1nHSI.
'Humph !" grunted granny. F'That's a
queer way of entertaining visitors. But
p'raps that's city Manners"
''Per haps it is - said Rachel, demurely.
"Who was it come home with you, asked
granny, who was not quite deaf or blind as
yet, 'and left you at the garden gate?''
''One of the other servants, said Rachel,
"Well, never ~ said granny. 'Where' S
all your pride, Rachel Ramsay?"
81 never was prouder in ali my life than
I am tonight p sad Rachel 'Listen,
grandma, for have so much to tell you Mr..
Harold Haroldson, of New York, walked
home with me; and I've met him ever so
many times before this summer, at picnics
and archery parties, and such places, but 1
never knew that he cared for me. And to-
night he asked me to marry him, and he is
to come here tomorrow to see father"
''Do you love him ~ said Granny Ram
say, huskily.
And Rachel answered:
eyes"
''Then God bless you, my child, and give
you both long and happy life ~ said the old
lady, softly smoothing the girls bright head
And every one was satisfied, except the
ladies at the Tower.-Satrday Night.