The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1896-12-25
EBENSBURG, PA. FRIDAY. DECEMBER 25 1896

ting the table. The wide Kitchen was
also the dining-room, but it was built
before people began cutting their
houses up into SO many rooms The
east end with its mating covered
floor, windows full of sweet smelling
plants, and daintily set table with its
snowy linen and shining glass, formed
50 pretty and inviting n picture, no one
need look further.
The girl gave sigh of sat tisfaction as
she surveyed her finished task, then
covered all with a length of netting
An hours rest. a lunch for which she
brought a good appetite. and then she
set out on her search for October treas
ures.
She was back long before the hour of
her parents return, and when they ar
rived she stood at the gate TO receive
them. Hal DinSlcy was with them.
as she had expected, and he thought he
had never seen so fair picture she
presented in her soft brown dress, q
spray of bclattcd goldcnrod at her throat
and another in her hair.
There was Il happy look in her dark
eyes. and "a deep flush stained her check
as he held her hand in greeting. But
SOmeway he did not like the Cousin
HAL so freely bestowed. a nearer
and dearer title would have been far
morn to his liking.
They were Il little late, so made haste
to prepare for the meal which Nancy
said was waiting for them.
How everybody did enjoy that tea.
1t was not considered il-mannered in
hat section, if anything was particu-
.rIN Il
herself loaded with compliments.
Now. here's II pie Il man can eat
without a haunting fear of Indigestion
oI nightmare" said Mr.. Moore. as he
deposited a. generous triangle of the
mock mirce upon his plate. You have
eNcclled yourself, dear, they alc splen
did" Thus ii was with everything un-
til the cakes were passed.
Nancy sat with d1wncaSt eyes, blush
ing under Halls admiring glanccs, when
4 sudden and complete silence on thC
part of all caused her to look up MIR
Moore was evidently nn the verge of :.
fit. or making a heroic attempt to sup
press Il laugh. She glanced ut Hal. He.
too. was smiling, despite all efforts H.
the contrary. My dear" said her
mother in queer voice, ''where did
You St'l NllE sugar icE your
Nancy looked surprised. why. after
| used " hat was in the bucket, | opened
tEat paper papa brought yesterday
oh. hy George. | thought So and
Mr.. Moore hurst into a ringing peal of
laughter.
Mrs. Moore could not speak, but mo-
toned for Nancy to taste her piece o:
cake
She obcyed, but the expression of dis
guStVd an.aZement on her face whicl
followed was too much for Hal. and II,
coined the chorus. Nancy sat mo-
ment the picture of modification. Her
beautiful cake. which rivaIc;I the snow
in Wilderness. and her cream layer o.
which She had been so proud. were botl,
made of SaIti
But really, it was too comical. and 4
momcHt later she was laughing aS
heartily rs any of them
Wei. the supper was a great success.
Notwithstanding her awful blunder:
and ere she laid her head upon her
pillow that night. Cousin Hal. who
really was no cousin after all. had asked
her TO SweeUen his cakes for all his life.
And she had promised to do 80. provided
lie furnished nothing but salt
Nancy = now mistress oIa home of
her own. and has become Il notable
housewife But she never uses the CON
tents OF a package without being sure
" hethCr ii. is sugar or salt.-Good
iIOuSel e-s.piuu