The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1898-05-06
MRS. HUGHES COOK.

"Betty, Mrs. Hughes is in such
state That immaculate new cook of
hers has deCamped with lot of money,
not to speak of a brand new Partisan
ball gown! I've just seen her-Mrs.
Hughes, l mean-and her face was a
study"
Nell paused to laugh, and Betty Low
ell looked up from the dainty toque she
was trimming to ask amusedly:
Wasn't she awfully angry? Why, it
was only last week she called here and
extolled her to the skies-farther, if
possible! Luckily she offers high wages,
SO she can easily find another"
"Ah, there's where the cream of the
joke comes in. Don't you know she is
entertaining Major Lorimer-the Major
Lorimer-at dinner tonight? He is pass
ing through Woodthorpe on his way to
the Carews for the regimental ball.
Mrs. Hughes is an old friend-so she
says-so he's staying a couple of days
with them. She's got all the eatables in
the house for the meals, and can't get
any one to cook them Isn't it rich?"
Betty rose suddenly, to the great det-
riment Of the toque, lovely rose flush
rising in her pretty cheeks, her eyes
sparkling.
Nell, I've an ideal" she said sol
emnly. 81 am going TO cook that din
ner if perish in the attempt"
:.:Betty, are you quite mad?" incredu-
lously. "What Will Mrs. Hughes think?
And if any one saw you you'd never
hear the end of it, and father would be
wild if he knew"
81 don't care" Betty said stoutly.
81 want the money, Mrs. Hughes wants
her dinner decently cooked. Why
shouldn't we mutually oblige each 9TH
er? Besides, it would buy me a new
gown for the ball. My pink crepon is too
disgracefully shabby for anythingp'
An hour later saw her hard at work
In Mrs. Hughes well arranged kitchen,
ordering, making, mixing as fast as her
little hands could go. Her harassed en-
plOyer had seized upon her offer with
avidity, and the maids falling into the
spirit of the thing, all bade fair to 90
smoothly.
Betty had not overrated her capabili-
ties. Each dish was sent up perfectly
cooked, garnished and served piping hot,
and she gave herself no rest till the
tiny cups of black coffee had been safe
ly dispatched up stairs and her evenings
work was done.
She had scarcely slipped out Of her
big apron and sleeves when Mrs. Hughes
herself came rustling down stairs, with
beaming smile on her fat face.
Miss Lowell, you're genius, " she
cried fussily. 1.-The dinner was perfect
perfect Tomorrow nights it too
much to expect? l could wire to town,
of course
''Do you mean you d like me to come
again." Betty asked good naturedly. Il
am quite willing to do so. After all, it
is a mutual convenience.
Accordingly, though sorely against
Nell's will, Betty again presented her
self at the court, but earlier in the aft
ernoon. Finding herself destitute of
parsley, and no one about to fetch it,
she decided TO be her own messenger,
and, running hastily round corner of
the spacious kitchen garden. she collided
heavily with some one at the other side.
GOOD heavens! II hope l haven't
hurt you:" a mans deep voice asked
concernedly. And Betty lifted up her
eyes TO find herself face 10 face with
tall, soldierly man about 80, whose
handsome eyes met hers anxiously.
"I-oh, not at all, thank you, she
murmured confusedly. 1T was my
fault. IL never dreamed you would
be here.
I'm afraid came prettily heavily
against you. Were you looking for any
thing?'
Yes" Betty said, intensely con-
scious of her pink cotton frock and
large linen apron, Il came for some
parsley. I'm Mrs. Hughes cook,
you know"
Indeed. May l help you:" grave
". And in a moment Betty beheld Ma
jor Lorimer-the hero, the gallant Y.