The state herald., 1892-10-21
PERFECT TREASURE.

invaluable cook. seemed to DO diff.
cult person to get along with. for ono
after another tho mattresses loft at the
end OF tho first week, and this had
necessitated endless trips to the hot
city for both Mrs McLaue and her
pretty sister.
They stood upon tho vine covered
piazza. talking over and arranging To
go to town the next day to fill IN I'M
expected vacancy, when Little boy
came lettering up tho road and finally
turned leisurely in ut their gate. He
proved to be tho bearer OF telegram
which Mrs McLane opened and reud.
while Kate gave him some pennies for
his pains and sent him rejoicing upon
his way.
kilograms from John wore n mat
ter OF course, and never q cause OF
alarm. for Us often us no found that
he would be detained In town until n
later hour than usual he sent word SO
that his wife could make her house.
hold plans accordingly. and tho dinnor
would not be spoiled by the long dc.
lay.
But now. as Kate looked up and saw
her sisters face, its expression filed
her with dismay. What is the mat
ter, Tinap Is anybody dead?"
"0h, it's simply awful; Johns
going to bring Mr.. Cunningham home
with him to spend the night"
Kate laughed outright Il don't
SEQ anything SO awful in that! 1
thought Jobn's Englishman was n
very good sort OF fellow"
so he is; but Kate. he's the kind
OF man who is peculiarly fastidious
about his way OF living. Why. John
has often told me he would rather
have crackers and cheese delicately
served. than tho most delicious din
ner with the dishes all put on the Ia.
bic before him. which no must pass
to his neighbor and help himself.
And our waitress has gone-past ro-
call4-as tho faint whistle OF the
train sounded IN tho far distance.
and there's no earthly way OF get
ting another before TO night"
Mrs. Mcl.ane's tragic voice and
manner had by this time quito con-
vulsed her sister.
Him." said Kate. her eyes dane.
ing merrily: 'rhere's just ono way
out of II that can see"
At about the time when the alter
noon train WAS duo Mrs. McLanc
seated herself upon tho pleasant
piazza to watch for the approach of
her husband and his guest Sho
made u pretty p cturc rs sho rose TO
greet them, her graceful figure framed
in by the climbing rose vines that
were trained about tho porch.
The moment that Mrs. McIane had
her husband TO herself shc hurried
him into their own room aud closed
the door A few RAPID words OF
explanation followed. causing per-
plexity and surprise on the part OF
John Mcl.anc which ended In n
sudden roar OF laughter.
An agonlzo1 cn'rcaty from his wife
n solemn promise oXacied and given.
and sealed with n kiss then Mrs.
McLane hastencd down stairs again.
where Arthur Cunningham found her
when he descended moment later.
And she was looking even prettler. no
thought. than when he had first seen
her ten minutes before.
They were Joined ~ tho host soon
after and the time passed pleas.
antly and swiftly until dinner was IN.
nounced by II tall and comoly young
woman dressed In tho conventional
neat gown. with immaculate cap and
long white apron.
| Johns elastic mouth stretched
widely Mt this pleasant npparitlon.
but his wife g vo him n warning
Lrown. and congratulated horself when
she saw that Mr.. Cunningham had
noticed neither the maid herself nor
the expression OF his friend.
Once or twice MS tho dinner was in
progress Mrs. McLano-with some.
thing like n spasm OF disnpproval--
saw that tho Englishman's eyes were
fol. wing the movements OF tho def;
and graceful maid. But tho maid
herself went on with her dutlo, with
dcwncast eyes In apparent uncon.
seriousness OF Mr.. Cunningham OBJ.
scr 1rntion.
Suddenly tho Engllshmnn dropped
n bombsholl In their midst ''Ohl or
Mrs Mcl.ane. had tho idnn !
should SEQ your sister hero tonight
| had quito looked forward to-or-
meeting her don't you know"
Tho delicate flush on Mrs McI.nnes
checks suddenly doepepcd; tho walt.
re-s, having nothing special 10 do nj
that moment swiftly withdrew Into
the pantry and almost closed tho
door; hut John Mclune bastenod to
tho rescue
oh! we'll tho fact Is Cunning.
hmm You soc. my ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
more just now. It's unfortunate
I'd have liked you 10 meet her, she's
very pretty girl and clever too
douccdly clever" This last In almost
nm undcr,one with his eyes On the
pantry door
Il had tho idca shc was living with
YOU. you see; or-f don't know how I
mndo tho blundcrp"
"lBnt rho does hro with US +" said
Mrs. McLnne. unwilling to leave her
guest under false impression, only"
casting about for truth al oxplh.
nation and indlng mono but what her
husband had already given only
YOU pea she isn't-hcro- now. I"
She hurried over tho last fow words
as sho saw tho pantry door was slowly
opening.
Tho entrance OF tho maid diverted
Cnnnlnghnm's thoughts from tho nh.
cert sister, mud whom finally tho din.
~