The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-09-02
THE NEW COOK.

Ce-tsinly I was In an awkward fix My
husband did not see 1t, Of course, and
when had said for the thirteenth-I love
to he accilrate-for the thirteenth time
that evening, "Whatever am to dof" he
only replied, to his newspaper apparently,
"H money will be Of any use to you, my
dear, I can let you have blank check"
very nearly said: "It has taken more
than money to keep your house properly
for the ten years we have been married.
It takes brains," but he Is such dear,
good fellow that stopped In time.
However, at the fourteenth time of ask
ing he simply replied, "I'm going to
bed" and went.
I still sat thinking. To be sure, 1t was
only the cook who had left suddenly that
day on account Of bad news from home.
With the assistance of the housemaid I
had oontrived to prepare respectable
enough little dinner for once, and, for the
matter of that, could have oontrived to do
SO until was properly "suited4
lido not change my women servants OF.
ten. The boy IL more variable quantity,
but when do prefer to wait little
rather than take just any body.
Still, there was that friend Of Georges
brother jim, In Queensland, coming on
Thursday to spend few days, and this
was Tuesday.
could not put him of, as 1t was the
only time be had free, and Jim had seemed
really anxious that we should meet him.
Harry Is terribly cut up over the loss
Of which think told you in my last let
ter"
He hadn't. Just like Jim's carelessness.
"This was. indeed the cause of his com.
ing home. He is fine fellow, and true
friend, too true a friend indeed to one
thoroughly underserving, concluded Jim,
somewhat irreleyantly.
"But the virtues Of Mr.. Harry Gordon
can by no possibility breakfast and lunch
con and dine him for three solid days If
don't succeed in getting COOK" con-
cluded as wandered sleepny up stairs.
II must just try Miss Griggs at tho Young
Women's Christian association rooms and
take whoever she offers me"
Thitherward accordingly wended my
way the following morning as soon as I
had got George comfortably breakfasted
and dispatched to bis office.
Miss Griggs heard me with attention.
swell, Mrs Mason, ] think I have o
girl living here at this moment who might
exactly suit You, provided you are willing
to take everything about her on trust. I
have been constrained to do this for the
sake of her sweet, true face. can't say
that I would go to every mistress with
that suggestion''-
"But you know" interrupted I, THAT
we look at things from the same stand
point and remember that in the highest
sense we are every day being taken on
trust ourselves"
She smiled, nodded and left the room.
A moment later the door opened gently
and slight, graceful girl of about 2S,
with brown hair and eyes and PALE regu-
lar features stood before me.
She was very simply dressed in well
made blue serge gown, but her soft, low
voice, little nervous in Its accents was
beyond all possibility of doubt the voice Of
q lady.
Twas so much fascinated by that voice
"a deep, musical one, the kind that
haunts you, with the tiniest suspicion Of q
foreign accent In 1t, and yet not foreign
either-that scarcely know how I STUN
bled through the usual questions.
"What Ia your namep'
"Mary Steven"
"Havo you any written characrery'' =
. Nome" ..-;
"Can you give any references?"
'No, ma am."
A pause.
Suddenly she proudly raised her pretty
head.
II have no character, madam, and no
references. shall not tell you anything
about myself but my name. l like your
face. You seem a motherly, Christian
woman" (Motherly, and, again, woman
to meD
II like you," continued this strange
creature, land If you are willing to give
me quiet corner in your household and
some small wages, for have no money"
AS If would take any body's services for
nothing-"I believe you will find me
capable cook and a faithful servant"
Quito little speech, you see, with deli
cate cheeks all ablaze, and tiny bands nerv-
ously clinched.
my dear" said I impulsively, II will
tax @ you on trust
So my now cook came homo. Four fault
less meals she prepared, and ere the hour
for the fifth arrived Harry Gordon arrived
also.
He was tall, thin, quiet man, with
wavy hair, almost pure white, though he
could not be over So, brushed back off his
temples.
Not at all my idcnl Of an Australian
shepherd king, which indeed he could
scarcely now be called, as of late years he
had devoted himself much to colonial poll
tics. Indeed, II Jim's rapturous account
could be believed, great future lay before
him in that direction. could be only shake
of the load Of depression which appeared
to be resting on him. He seemed, as my
husband remarked aside to me, sin great
want of a mental tonic"
Still, his conversation was most agree
able He had been keen observer Of men
and things, and could relate his expert
ences WELL
Only he seemed burdened with a strange
reserve. His homo he never mentioned.
nor the dear, dead wife. Perhaps he could
not trust himself to speak Of these with
composure--at least not yet.
Jim had intrusteda small parcel to him
for us, and a short time after dinner he
rose to leave the room to fetch IL.
At the same time l felt rather than
heard light footstep ascending the stairs.
Cayelessly l noted 1t.
at is Mary going to bed. She was up
early"
Her rnom was on the top fat, and to