Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1894-08-15

CLERK S n6teS ana scanned Unelll. onc ell
try struck him at once.
'Mary Smith. Three years cook to the
Duchess of Kingscourt, whose little, din
ners were feature of last season.
He telcgraphed to Miss Smith at once,
waiting at the office until she returned-a
rather good looking person of 80 or there
abouts, well but neatly dressed. Her re-
plies to the delighted alderman s questions
were very satisfactory.
"Why did you leave the duchess serv-
ice?'
"Her grace is unwell Her cyesight has
failed, and she has given up her establish
ment."
where will a letter find her?"
AT Miller's hotel, st. James. But her
grace is so nearly blind that she will prob
ably not reply for a week or two-perhaps
not at all. She was always very dilatory
with her correspondence. 1t would be bet
ter to CALL sir, if you can spare the time. !"
Mr.. Cleverson accepted the suggestion,
and having agreed to pay Miss Smith the
considerable salary of $500 year that
young person left the office apparently
well pleased, and the alderman went home
licking his lips in anticipation.
II don't think the duchess has arrived, :"
said the bookkceper, but her maid is here.
I'll inquire.
Eventually Mr. Cleverson was conducted
up stairs and shown into darkened room
occupied by a lady lying on couch. The
lady wore huge green spectacles, and he
guessed she was the duchess.
pray pardon me for not rising" she
said. II feel very unwell this morning."
Don't mention it, l beg you. am
very sorry to disturb your grace l have
merely called to inquire if your late cook,
Mary Smith, gave you satisfaction.
think of employing her.
IL was more than satisfied with her, ;"
she exclaimed, with emphasis. ''She is a
treasure, and l hope she will get a sitiia-
ton as good as she deserves. never re-
GREETED anything SO much as parting with
her; but, alas''--her grace sighed deeply
my life is no longer worth living.
am nearly blind"
Mr.. Cleverson murmured his thanks,
bowed low and withdrew
Four dinners Mary Smith cooked for
him-four luscious dreams, each surpass
ing the previous ono-then the unexpected
happened
The artist of the kitchen did not rise ct
her usual hour. The parlor maid knock
ed at her door. No answer. She entered
the room. 1t was unoccupied The bed
had not been slept on. Mary Smith was
missing!
So, alas, was the plate, Mrs. Cleverson's
jewels, the aldernans gold watch and
chain and diamond studs, with other port
able valuablos
n y 81
Tho inspector who listened to the alder
mans story showed great interest and
some amusement.
II fancy we can help you," he said. Il
shouldn't be surprised if we were able to
find the person wanted without much
trouble Just step round to Miller's hotel
with mo-.
They visited the hotel. Tho officer ques-
toned the bookkeeper.
"You have the Duchess of Kingscourt
staying here?"
"No. She did not come.
"But saw her" interrupted the alder
man.
"No, sir. remember you calling. You
saw woman who said she was the duch-
ess' maid. She engaged suit of rooms
on her grace's behalf, stating that her mis-
tress would be hero to lunch, but she dis
appeared Immediately after your visit"
"And tho duchess?"
| We wired to her. She is travelling in
tho south of Europe and knows nothing
| about tho woman
The inspector glanced at the alderman's
| fooo md 1onubnI o1tripht