The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-06-13
HE ADVERTISED.

Among the 20 young women was slim
creature in the shabbies5 shawl and bonnet
there, with exactly enough flesh on her
bones to hold them together, but lady
every inch of her.
Reference, " he said to her as she sat
before him
She took OF a mended glove and showed
him a foreanger rough as a nutmeg with
much sewing.
There's the only proof have that I've
been trying to earn an honest living, - said
she.
AN odd reference for a cook. said he.
THAT'S for character, said she. "In
show you how I can cook III give prac-
tical proof Of that. -
you are not servant, % said he.
"Not yet. I mean to be. I've been
sewing for a living, and I am sick Of it,
said she.
He looked at her from top to toe.
90 Familyf"
Myself only, p he said.
She nodded
Dinner at 6?''
She nodded again.
Soup every day?'
She nodded once more.
For the rest variety"
All right, she said
He named the wages and took her down
into the kitchen, where the young person
who was general assistant received her
with a bewildered stare.
After that he did not see her for four
weeks, but his meals were delicious At
the end Of the time he went down stairs
to pay her wages. 1t was late in the even
ing A plump lady with pink cheeks sat
before the fire stOning raisins- He did not
know her at first, but as the knowledge
dawned on him he realized how nearly she
had been to starvation on the day when he
hired her. An he said was;
81 like my steak broiled less. -
After that he saw her once in four weeks
regularly. She never said anything to him
but Thank ye, sir. He always found
fault with something, his eyes fixed on
vacancy the while. He was a trim and big
bachelor of 40, with handsome black side
Whiskers. She was 80 and a warm tinted
blond, not red haired, though the kitchen
girl thought SO. Her hair was Titan s pet
color. Outwardly she called her master
''that bear. - Secretly she thought him
very handsome.
One day the dinner came down untasted
t'What fault has he found with it now?''
'None,' said the girl Hes sick. "
At breakfast no one came to the table.
Then the cook assembled the stairs, and
finding a pair of boots outside one door
knocked at it.
Come in, - said faint voice.
She went in, and the result Of her inves-
tigabiOn was telegram to the doctor Her
master, who had always been proud of not
being vac sinated, had caught the small
pox-
You'd better go. Youth catch it, - said
tim rot afraid, - said she. Somebody
must stay, you know"
She stslid As he got better he rewarded
her-as convalescent men always do re
ward their nurses-by scoldtng her and
finding fault with everything. She had
helped the doctor save his life and had
done ali that mortal could do, but no
snapped and srarled at her.
Oae day, however, he being we'll, though
still in quarantine, had some vile concOc-
ton brought him for his dinner.
What is thiss' he asked.
It's the best could do, - said Bridget
who, having been a victim to the disorder
in her childhood, had no fear of it. Cook
has gone of. :"
where has she genes' asked the master
ITO the hospital - said Bridget. She
did be getting the smallpox, and she
went.
ct wasn't for one just out Of sickbed
to use the language the master did after
that " Bridget said in relating the Incl
dent.
But he was yet an invalid, and he did
not know his cooks name.
She had never told it to him. He tried
in vain to discover her whereabouts, but
Bridget showed sagacity The wages
were owing and the trunk in the bedroom.
Cook would come back.
So the master waited; a month passed;
another week; then another; then one
evening some one rang the bell.
Cook is back ana wants to see you, "
said Bridget.
The master went into the parlor.
There sat the long absent woman Her
hair had been cut short and curled up
about her temples, but her complexion was
not spoiled, though she was thin and worn
again.
i've come to see whether you wanted
me to cook for you again, - sGid she.
mo, " said he.
Very well, . said she.
You had no business to so OF that
way, said he.
''who'd have taken care of me2" she
asked
fsIt was my duty to see to that after all
you q done for me, " said he.
''Not at ali, " said she. and about the
wages? I don't want to hurry you, but I
need the money. -
ooh, you do2'' said he.
Then he sat down near her.
" What bear 7 was to you, = said he.
g Yes, indeed, p said she.
"Fretted and found fault with you"
so unreasonable, too, said she.
"And yet you'd cook for me again9''
said he.
IF suit you said she.
You do, - said he.
you might have said SO before, - said
she.
mot as cook, p said he.
"Ohr' said she.
''The kitchen is no place for you, - he
said
cts better than sewing said she.
go But if make you another offer, - said
he ''wiu you marry me? I like you better