The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1883-04-20


with disdainful gesture.
"Shes deal too pretty to bring into
the drawing room for Haroldson and
Armine Dallas to frt WITH added Miss
Alice, knowingly. "And don't see
any way that l could have avoided it
if it hadn't been for those lucky chick
ems and Bridget's fortunate fit of temp
er. Make haste now. They'll be here
in a minute. And l know little Rach-
el 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
and blue ribboned guitars, while poor
Rachel Ramsay was broiling in the
kitchen over peach tarts and Neapoli-
tan creams.
She had not forgotten her dsappoint-
ment, but artist like, she had thrown
herself into her occupation with en-
crossing interest, and she was stirring
her 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 infite amusement, Harold
Haroldson stood before her in his hunt
ing costume, with fishing rod lightly
balanced on his shoulder.
"lm not Bridget" said the girl,
laughing, but still stirring on. 'I'm
Rachel
"Miss Ramsay he exclaimed, lif:
ing his cap. allow in the name of all
that is wonderful came you here ?"
And then, not without humor, Rach-
el detailed the manner and incidents of
her capture.
81 am the maid 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. 81 used
to be pretty good hand at spider and
gridiron when | calnped out on Lake
Cupsuptic, up in Maine"
"But you are not engaged said
Rachel half pleased, half frightened.
81 can volunteer" observed the young
man. "Give me the oil and vinegar,
and you will see what dressing, q Ia
mayonnaise, can provide for that
salad of yours.
And if ever a pair of cooks spent a
delightful, unconventional sort of morn
ing in the kitchen, this pair did.
| fnhn,, lo,rhnI tbav p,o,1a innnnapt
jokes, they behaved like two school
children.
And at last, when Rachel had run
out into the garden to gather some
watercresses to deck the newly roasted
fowls, Mr.. Haroldson heard the voice
of Miss Bell Calhoun calling down the
stairway:
'Rachel! Rachel! you may serve
the dinner Every one is here but that
tiresome Haroldsonw
Sand he's here, too," calmly respond
ed 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 commendable gravi
ity. "And I've no objection whatever
to that arrangement"
And nothing could induce Harold
Haroldson to come up to the dining
room. He and Rachel together ate
their picnicing sort of repast, and
washed the dishes-although the mat
ter somewhat lost its spice when the
Misses Calhoun and their company al
adjourned, en- naasse, to the kitchen
and persisted in joining their ranks.
And when the purple sunset came
DREAMY down over the dark cedar'
that overhung the brawling stream, anC
the gay guests had all departed, Alice
and Bell Calhoun gazed obviously a
each other
"Was ever anything SO provoking? 2
said Bell.
"He has actually gone home will
herw said Alice bursting into angr,
tears.
Sand after all the pains we took tC
keep them apart !" said Bell.
sit was all your fault petulantl,
exclaimed Alice. Noticing that farm
er's daughter and, dragging her out o
her sphere in that sort of way"
''But it was you that plumed yoursel
on getting her into the kitchen" scold
ed Bell. "And nice mess you've mad
of it"
"But how were we to know that i
was going to end so?' groaned poo
Alice.
"Well, Rachel" said Granny Ram
say, when the girl came in, just as tn
lamps We're lighted, "what sort of a da
did you have?'
"Oh, charmingw said Rachel. "
enjoyed myself more than ever | di
before at the Tower, and / never wen
ont of the kitchen. They had con
pany, and | helped to get dinner"
"Humph!" grunted granny. That
a queer way of entertaining visitor.
But p'raps that's city manners"
'Perhaps it is !" said Rachel, demur'
ly.
"Who was it came home with You
asded granny, who was not quite dea
or blind as yet, and left you at the gal
den gate p
"One of the other servants" sal
Rachel.
"Well, never!' said granny
"Where's all your pride? Rachel Ram
say''
81 never was prouder in all my lif
than am tonight" said Rachel. ''Li
ten, grandma, for have so much ;
tell you. Mr.. Harold Haroldson, o
New York, walked home with me; an
I've met him ever so many times befol
this summer, at picnics and archer
parties, and such places, but / nevC
knew that he cared for me. And tC
night he asked me to marry him, an
he is to come here tomorrow mornin
to see father"