The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-03-14

the cake. Fanny was delighted with
it. 1t would be the browning beauty
of the table.
II can make tolerably good plain
cake, applicable, cream cake and one
three four cake; but these fancy
fixings are beyond me"
"Won't you come in and see moth
err" asked Jessie, after the work had
been praised, and the preparations for
the party discussed. "We haven't
said anything to her about this. She
would be afraid we were OVERRIDING"
mo, guess not" replied Fannie,
"but I'll come over tomorrow after
noon and give you start on that
dress. You get it ripped and pressed
out nicely" Then Fannie took the
cake up carefully, and started home
ward.
Jessie and Maud had been invited
to the party, but they could not leave
their mother, and neither cared to go
alone. They would be sure to hear
all about it from Fannie the next
day
They had hardly finished their
work when Fannie came over the
next morning. Both girls looked at
her in surprise.
~ couldn't wait until afternoon"
she said, eagerly, Il have so much to
tell you. Here, let me rip up that
waist while l stay. Your cake was
just splendid, Jessie. Didn't I hear
you say that you'd like to earn some
money, only you couldn't leave home'
told Miss Margrave so last night"
"Why, Fannie Haskins, how could
you?" exclaimed Maud in Mortified
tones. "Miss Helen Margrave, the
daughter of the rich professor, who
has bought the Day House9"
"The very same," replied Fannie,
coolly. "But do let me explain be-
fore you quite snap my head off.
'Why, 1 did not know you had such
cooks in Brookville,' remarked Miss
Helen. By the way, Maud, she is
just delightful; she isn't bit stuck
up, and is so bright and kind! l had
Just told them that the cake was my
birthday present from you. TT is far
ahead of anything that Pinxter, the
caterer at Thornton, sends over. 1
wish l could persuade her to honor
my birthday fete with such another
Then l told her what you said, and
she's coming over to see you today.
She would have called before if she
had thought you'd care to have her."
Jessie and Maud were almost vexed,
but there was no chance to say any
thing more, for at that moment the
Margrave carriage stopped at the
gate.
"There she comes nowW exclaimed
Fannie. "Never mind your morning
dresses, you look as pretty as pinks.
I'll go in and sit with your mother
while she stays"
Jessie went to the door to admit
her caller. She had frequently seen
the tall, beautiful girl in Sunday
school, where they sat side by side,
but she had been too busy to call
upon her.
miss Haskins thought you would
be glad to have me CALL" said the
stranger, flashing sympathetic
glance at the young girl before her.
"Thank you," replied Jessie simply,
taking her into the little sitting-room
where she had left Maud. But Maud
had vanished. Jessie did not know
whether the call was one of business
only, or of friendliness.
"Miss Haskins told me of your kind
ness in making her birthday cake.
Will you do as much for met" Helen
MargIave had fine instincts; she knew
from Jessie's manner at the door that
Fanny Haskins had been there before
her, and had told of her proposition
the previous evening. She pitied the
young girl, burdened with the care
and responsibility of the household;
she liked her bright face, her
thoughts" in the Sunday school, and
admired her courage.
Jessie felt the evident friendliness
of her manner, and her stern resolve
melted as before the sunshine. They
became confidential, and when at
length Helen rose to go, each felt
that she had found a congenial, help
full friend.
"Well, | hope she stayed long
enough" snapped Maud, as Jessie
came into the little kitchen after her
caller departed. Here it is almost