Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-04-05

Darrell. as the girl advanced into the room. .'How did you sleep? I trust you are none the worse for your wetting?" he added. with a shade of anxiety in his tone.
 "I slept very well," she answered slowly And I am not a bit the worse. Is it still snowing?'
 II am afraid so Come and have breakfast. 1 am sure you must want it. :"
 ''We kept yours warm for you," said Carruthers, carefully lifting covered dish from before the fire. "Wc must apologize for being rude enough not to wait for you. but we were awfully hun gry-at least l Was
 Well, so am l. confessed Miss Heath, seating herself at tho table. and accept ing plate of bacon from CarrUthcrs and a cup of coffee from Darrell. But" she said suddenly, with funny little smile and uplifting of her eyebrows, ''has your servant come back? And if he has not-who cooked the bacon and made the coffee::'
 We did," replied Carrutners with pardonable pride. At least, I fried the bacon and Darrell made the coffee He says the bacon is done to death, and 1 say the coffee is muddy. What do you say?"
 ''I say they are both delicious,' said the girl demurely. II do wish I had seen you-as cooks, I mean," she added with a ripping little laugh.
 ''There is every probability that you may see us in that engaging capacity for some days to come" said Darrell rather ruefully.
 Some days:" she echoed, setting down her cup in dismay. Do you mean to say I can't go home even today?'
 Instead of answering Darrell pointed to the window, where the prospect was black indeed, being simply Egyptian darkness.
 Do you know how far you are from The Grange:' he said then looking at her with amused. kindly eyes. Quite five miles. Look how the snow has drifted already, and it is still snowing"
 "Oh. Aunt Priscilla will be quite crazy" said poor Leslie in despairing kind of way. And what nuisance I shall be to you both."
 Do you think so?" said Darrell gravely, as he took her cup. ''That is very unkind of you. Have some more cotfeey"
 "Let us take Miss Heath up to the loft and show her the promising state of the surrounding country" suggested Car ruthers, when the visitor had resolutely refused any further nourishment.
 "But-the table! It must be cleared, '' she said reprovingly.
 "Oh-er-yes, of course," he replied in doubtful tones. 'Come on, Darrelly'
 II shall help" said Miss Heath, who had thrown care and Aunt Priscilla to the winds, and was beginning to enjoy herself immensely. "Where is the kitchen?" she continued, seizing the cof- fee pot. You lead the way with the lamp, please, MT. Carruthers." The kitchen was in a state of indies cribable confusion. Plates, knives, pans, etc., were thrown about impartially on chairs, table and floor. A cheery fire was burning, however, and threw an air of rollicking joviality over the whole scene.
 Put them down anywhere said Dar- rell, recklessly depositing on the nearest chair the cup and saucer and plate he carried.
 "Oh mo-" reconstructed Leslie, "they must be washed and put away properly ,
 "Washedr' echoed both men helplessly "Of course," was the intieXible reply as the speaker invested herself in large white apron, which, by thc way, was most becoming.
 "Oh, 1 say, not just now, Miss Heath, entreated Carruthers pathetically ''There are lots of clean ones about somewhere, and you've no idea how aw. fully done up we both are. Why, light. ing these fires alone-not to mention the | coaking-took us good hour. Darrell used more bad language over the sitting room fire this morning than I've heard him give way to all the years I've known him."
 They all laughed, and Leslie, with q disappearing shake of her curly head began in a delft, delightfully."- business l like way, to reduce the scattered dishes etc., to some kind of order, while tho l two men seated themselves on the par tially cleared table and watched hel with combined interest and amusement
 ''Now we must have some hot water, announced this new autocrat of the kitchen. "We can't wash dishes in cold water. you know," she proceeded kindly to explain.
 'sWhy not?" Carruthers ventured tc inquire.
 l But Miss Heath did not answer. She was rummaging in drawer for towels She looked quite at homo and as busy and happy as possible. So her two slave. meekly got off the table, filled up the kettle and replenished the fire.
 "Whilc it is heating shall go up witt you to the loft" Leslie said then gra ciously. Perhaps it has left off snow ing. What q dear little house it is," sh' exclaimed, as, after short inspection o the tiny dwelling was all on on, floor, bungalow fashion-they prepared to climb the ladder leading to. the loft.
 ''You are right" acquiesced Darrel refiectipely, .'it is small, and, yes-it ii most certainly dear. Give me your hand Miss Heath, and mind your head on that beam."
 "Dear me, daylight comes on one quite 1 with |, ohocly i'd tho rr;,l !, o,