Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-12-19
MARY'S BREAD.

cannot make a loaf OF bread"
That was what Bachelor Beverly said
In the arrogance of his masculine heart.
He liked women to be women, not
social butterflies, and all the girls Of
Lilbury were on the qui yive.
did he really say thatP" said Gene
We've Doty, arching the perfect curve
of her scarlet upper lip. Goodness
me! what a fool the man must be! Does
he expect to make q mere kitchen
drudge of his wifeP"
But, all the same, all the girls of Lii
bury descended into their Kitchens,
tucked up their curls and their dress
sleeves, and etdiligently to work about
that time at the mysterious science OF
bread-making.
Except Geneyieye Doty. She only
rang the bell and sent for Mary Bloom,
the poor cousin. who was graciously
allowed a home on the premises in con.
sideration of her doing all the house.
work for her board.
"Polly," said she, adjusting one OF
her long blonde curls before the mirror,
'Tm going to have company to tea to
night"
Mary sighed a little. She could not
help it. Genevieye had had a croquet
company the night before that; and the
refreshments had been exceedingly
choice and delicate, and they were al
made by Mary herself, and Mary alone,
for Mr.. Doty held the family purse,
strings exceedingly tight; Mrs. Doty
was afflicted whenever work was in
question with a rush of blood to the
head, and the fair Genevieve held her.
self far above any such drudgery as the
beating of syllabus or mixing of cake
"And, Miss Doty added, 81 want
fresh bread, made after your very best
recipe. And waffies, y added Genevieve.
"and cup custards, and Charlotte
Russo, and damson preserves. Tea anG
coffee, of course; and stay-you may a.
well make a nice peach short-cake
while you are about it."
And then Geneyieve drew the curt
aims to the exact angle of comfortable
shadow, and nestled herself down or
the lounge with a novel and a box OF
chocolate creams to enjoy herself, while
Mary Bloom descended to the hot
kitchen to concoct all these dainties.
Yes, it was hard-very hard. Was
not she a lady by birth and education
as much us the ~pale-haired beauty up
stairs? Why was it that fate had con
demned her to be the patient %toiler, il
the deep, dense shadow, while Gene
We've walked on roses and dwelt in ar
atmosphere of luXuryP
Not until evening did she find time tt
slip on her green bingham %sun-bonnet
and creep down into the woods-an6
even then her fayorite seat by the trout
pool was occupied. Mr.. Beverly sa'
there, with reel and line.
lis that YOU. Miss Bloom?:" said he
for he had met Mary frequently in the
S~unday-school and bible class of the
pretty church. Il haven't had a bits
all day."
Haven't you?" said Mary, dispirited-
ly.
You are tiredp" questioned Mr..
Beverly.
Yes, rather Mary admitted. 81
have been making bread for G~enevieve
Doty's tea party"
All said Mr.. Beverly, 81 believe
am to be one of the guests. | am very
glad | shall meet you, Miss Bloom"
But you won't meet me, Mr.. Bever,
ly," said Mary, with a little sigh. Il
am never asked to come to my cousins
parties. | am the one who is useful be.
hind the scenes"
The Cinderella, ehpn said Mr.
Beverly, gazing intently into the dark
brown deeps of the pool.
Mary laughed.
There isn't much similarity between
my case and Cinderella's," said she.
But | must 90 back. They will have
brought the cream from the village,
and | must beat it for the Charlotte
Russo
And then she vanished away through
the green foliage like a dryad of the
woods.
That's a very pretty girl" said Mr.
Beverly. "A very pretty girl, indeed!'
Genevieve's Doty's tea party wa.
quite a brilliant little assemblage that
evening. Genevieve herself had taker
the trouble to arrange the carnations
tes-roses, and lovely blue-fringed asst
ers; and the table glittered with en-
graved silver, cut-glass, and rare china
Colored lights hung from the ceiling
and the scene was almost like a leaf out
of fairyland.
'Oh. what delicious bread!' SAID
Isabel Copeland-who, by the way, haC
been trained in her role by the fail
hostess; for somebody must say these
sweet, convenient little nothings, anC
Isabel had such a gracefully uncon
scious way with her. Dear Gennie, il
this your bread?"
'Of course, y smiled the hostess. Mr.
Beverly, | really forget whether YOU
take cream and sugar or not
Cream, if you please; no sugar
said the bachelor, with rather a bewild
cred expression of countenance.
But did you really make it your
selfP" said Isabel, persistently sweet.
Il made it myself this very after
noon" said Miss Doty.
''Bread-making is one of dear Gen
mics especial accomplishments" sale
Mrs. Doty.
The bachelor drank his tea withou
knowing whether it was Young Hyson
~Gunpowder, or Oolong; and when tn,
meal was over he went out into tn,
yeranda, where the little black girl
who had been tanning them with pea
cocks feathers during the banquet, wa
amusing herself by eating the broker
bits of cake.
e'Hello!" said the bachelor, bringin!
his hand down on Betsy's shoulder.
Il didn't done stole 'em, massa,
%whimpered Betsy, curling herself III
like a human caterpillar. '.Dey wa
done glib me-ebery Dressed cake"
Look here" said the bachelor
"There's a misunderstanding some
where
.'Sah?n said Betsy.