Audubon Republican., 1897-09-23
LOVE IN
THE KITCHEN.
hDLEsS my heart!" suddenly ex-
BY HENRY c. WOOD.

- claimed Mr.. Pettibone, with
such decided emphasis that his wife
looked up inquiringly from her work.
''What is. the matter, my dear?" she
asked, as her husband abruptly put
down his newspaper and gazed over at
her in a helpless sort of way.
''It entirely escaped my memory" he
continued, contritely, feeling carefully
through his various pockets, and final
1y producing crumpled and rather
untidy note which he had fished up
from the profound depths of one of
them.
"Here is something that Clarence
Stewart asked me to hand you the other
day, and quite forgot it until this mo-
ment. He and two or three of the girls
Blanche, May and Ida, think, he
said-however, the note will tell you
are coming out to spend day with us. "
''That will be delightful" acknowl-
edged Mrs. Pettibone, serenely. 81
shall be ever so glad to see them, and
they have been promising me this visit
for quite awhile. am truly glad they
have been thoughtful enough to send
me word, and not take me unawares,
for l wish ample time for preparation.
My reputation as housekeeper is at
stake, and am especially anxious that
everything shall be as near perfection
as possible. When do they speak of
coming?"
81 suppose the note states, my love- -
answered Mr.. Pettibone, with some
show of nervousness, and with guilty
look overspreading his countenance.
"You know l have carried it around in
my pocket for q day or two, and-and
I believe to-day is the one they have
appointed"
Mrs. Pettibone let the note drop from
her fingers, and looked at her remorse-
full spouse in speechless astonishment
and reproach.
II am sure, my dear, am extremely
sorry" began Mr.. Pettibone, meekly.
81 don't know how 1 came to forget it,
but 1 did entirely"
"Octavius Pettibone!" exclaimed his
wife, in tones that spoke volumes.
Indeed, my dear, it was awfully
careless of me, I'll admit" began Mr..
Pettibone, then stopped abruptly for
want of extenuating circumstances.
"And you have been carrying this
note around in your pocket ever since
it was given you?" continued Mrs. Pet
tibone, like an avenging Nemesis.
EYES," acknowledged Mr.. Pettibone,
humbly, "but hope it will not serious
ly Inconvenience you, my love-"
"It would be passing strange if it
did, Mr.. Pettibone, seeing that it is only
about three hours till train time, no
preparations whatever have been made
and have given cook holiday that
she might visit her sister, who is sick.
am unable to recall any more pro-
pitious circumstances just at present"
said Mrs. Pettibone, in the calmness of
despair.
"Read the note, dear; perhaps this is
not the day, after ALL" suggested Mr..
Pettibone, with the eagerness of the
drowning man for the straw.
Seizing the bare hope, Mrs. Pettibone
picked up the fallen note and read
aloud:
MY Dear Laura: In response to your
kind invitation. several times extended, to
spend day with you, our particular quar-
tette Ut Is unnecessary to mention names)
Will, II 1t meets your appreciation, do our
selves that honor on Thursday next unless
we hear from you to the contrary.
1--WE have ideas much exalted in regard
to the delights Of rural life, and long to see
you in the midst of your Arcadian pursuits
and joys.
II will not extend my note with any news
or choice bits OF gossip, but will reserve
them until see you. Affectionately,
BLANCHE DESMOND"
To-day is Thursday" said Mrs. Pet
tibone, with little groan; "there is no
possibility of any error, and what are
we to do with them?"
"Isn't there something cold that we
might give them and explain matters p
suggested Mr.. Pettibone, thoughtfully.
"Ah, to be sure!" responded his wife,
with decided tinge of irony in her
tone. "Since you have suggested it,
think there is some cool buttermilk in
She dairy, possibly some cream, and
am sure there is an abundance of cool
ice in the icehouse. We might pass the
two around frequently through the day,