The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1897-10-01
LOVE IN
THE KITCHEN.
BY N C WOOD.

ID 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 n helpless sort of way.
1T entirely escaped my memory" he
continued. contritely, feeling carefully
through his various pockets. end final
" producing n crumpled and rather
nntidy note which he had iished up
from the profound depths of IL of
them.
Here is something that Clarence
Stewart asked me to hand you the other
day, and ! quite forgot il until this mo-
ment. He and two or three of the girls
blanche, May and Lila. ! think. he
Said-however, the note will tell YOU
are coming out to spend a day with u.s."
That will be delightful" acknowl-
edged Mrs. Pettibone, %serenely. IL
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
for | 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
c~oming?"
Il suppose the note states. my love-"
answered Mr.. Pettibone. with some
show of nervousness, and with a guilty
look overspreading his c~ountenance.
"iou know have carried il around in
my pocket for a day or two. and-and
] believe to-day is the one they have
appointed"
Mrs. Pettibone let the note drop from
her fingers. and looked at her nor
full spouse in speechless establishment
and %reproach.
II am sure. my dear, I am extremely
sorry" began Mr.. Pettibone. meekly.
Il don't know how | came to forget it.
but | did entirely
"Octavius Petitioner" exclaimed his
wife, in tones that spoke volumes.
Indeed, my dear. il was awfully
careless of me. I'll admit began Mr..
Pettibone. then stopped abruptly for
want OF eNtenuating circumstances.
And you have been carrying this
note around in your pocket ever since
y was given you?" continued Mrs. Pet
tbone. like IN avenging Nemesis.
Yes acknowledged Mr.. P%ettibone.
humbly. but hope il will not serious
~ inconvenience you, my love"
IL would be passing strange il II
dld, MIR. Pettibone, seeing that il is only
about three hours till train time. no
preparations whatever have been made
ana have given cook a holiday that
she might visit her sister. who is sick.
! am unable to recall any more pro-
pluous circumstances just at present."
SAID Mrs. Pettibone, i'm the calmness of
despair.
Read the note. dear: perhaps this Is
not the day. after ALL" suggested Mr..
fefubone, with the eagerness Of the
drowning man for the straw.
Selling the bare hope, Mrs. Pettibone
picked up the fallen note and read
aloud:
,N"i <auTds III response 10 your
KIND invitation. several times extended, to
spend a day with you. our particular quar-
teTte Ut Is unnecessary to mention names)
Will III II meets your appreciation, do our
selves thai honor on Thursday next. unless
we near from you to the contrary.
We have ideas much exalted In regard
70 the delights of rural life. and long to see
you IN the midst Of your Arcadian pursuits
and joys.
Il Will not extend my note with any news
or choice bits OF gossip. but will reserve
tnem until ! see you. A~ffectionately,
BLANCHE DESMOND"
To-day Is Thursday said Mrs. Pet
lbone. with a 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?'
suggested Mr.. Pettibone, thoughtfully.
"Ah. to be sure!" responded his wife,
with q decided tingc Of irony in her
tcne. Since you have suggested il, /
think there is some cool buttermilk in
the dairy, possibly some cream, and
Am sure there 10 an abundance Of cool
In the icehouse. We might pass the
around frequently Through the day,