The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1894-10-06
I am not responsible for

that"
"We can take our dinner for lunch
and go without that meal if you don't
think they will prolong their visit"
"She is going on to New York thi:
afternoon, SO she can't. Come on down
Content. and do act hospitable. DOM
worry mamma, we'll attend to it ALL
In the hall Content turned on her
sister, impressively:
"Now, Elinor Van Tooker, you've
got to use your brains to get those
dishes out of the parlor. We will have
to make up for lack Of eatables some
way, and the bread plate and frui,
dishs we can't possibly do without"
"What will mamma say?"
"Never mind mamma. You Just
manage to get those people out of the
parlor and keep them until I come in
and ask Harold when Julia is going.
Then you will know that everything is
all right"
The Van Tooker nose was all that
saved Elinor on this occasion. After
Contents ELUSIVE greeting she called
hdioiu liz DcSSiC W thc library w
show the latter some etchings that had
been sent her, and then led the way to
the music room to get Bessie's ap-
prevail of some casts Content had re-
Gently mounted. Her sister did not
follow and to Elinor's acute ear the
click of china was painfully audible.
Content fully earned her right to
the Van Tooker name by the luncheon.
The darns on the state tablecloth
were covered with scattered blossoms
and leaves CLEANED from their few
house plants; the beautiful china set
off the table; and if the menu was not
elaborate, people need not expect
much for luncheon, especially on Mon
day and among women whose appe-
tites are naturally delicate from lack
of exercise. The few dishes were care
fully prepared, Christine as a waiter
was perfection, and Mamma lockers
table talk had always been a matter
of pride with the family, so all was
going merry as a marriage bell when
Bessie's eyes fell upon the empty
bread plate which Christine had set be-
fore her.
What a beautiful PLATED" she ex-
claimed. do look at this, Harold.
Isn't the decoration unique? Mamma
has often told me, Mrs. Van Tooker,
of your exquisite china. Where have
l see a plate like this before?" con-
tinued Bessie, not needing the
silence which fell upon the
company. Not long ago, surely;
the design seems familiar. Wouldn't
you like to know. Mrs. Van Tooker,
who has its mate? 1t must have been
in somebody's parlor; that's just like
some people, you know. They're so
afraid people won't know they have
anything if it isn't kept on exhibition.
There was a family Just next door to
us in California-parvenues, of II
decorated to death in the china
line; parlors, library and all filed with
beautiful dishes. We were madly en-
until one day, don't you know,
dined there and told some
body else SO we all heard it, that they
every day and had to carry the pretty
ones out of the parlor to eat on when
they had company"
The expression of Mrs. Van Tooker's
face was edifying. Elinor did not try
to smile, but Contents hysterical giggle
out Bessie's hearty laugh.
Neither did Harold Phelps smile when
eyes met Elinor's as they rose from
the table. On the contrary. his face
a resolution not unlike that
Contents had worn earlier in
the day, as he spoke:
Content, | shall never rest satisfied
until you prove to Miss Ware that I
was correct about that air from Cav
Rusticana,' yer which we were
d~isputing when we first came out to
lunch. You have the score; take her
TO the music room and convince her.
Mrs. Van Tooker is going to let me
smoke a cigarette out here before l
you"
Quick to catch the meaning, Con-
tent lovingly encircled Bessie's waist
her arm and drew her into the
music room. AS o as they disap-
he carefully brushed the
crumbs from the offending plate, and
before Elinor and her mother could
carried it to its former
place on the parlor mantel. Christine
took her cue and quickly emptied the
dishes, which were as rap
ly transferred TO their places.
As they set the last dish in order and
stood before the fire, Contents soft
alto floating out to them from the
music room, the Van Tooker counte-
nance was so thoroughly softened and
penitent that Harold ventnred to re-
turn to an old subject.
1.-The house is already furnished" he
said, land 1 have decided to yield to
you. You shall have all the china
you want in the parlor."
II think 1 have lost my taste for
she replied, land I too will
make a concession. l believe you are
about some things, Harold dear,
but we must ask for mammals bread
for a souvenir."-Kats Fields
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