Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1898-08-19

Betty, Mrs. Hughes is in such
state! That immaculate new cook G
hers has decamped with a lot of money
not to speak of a brand new Parisia
ball gown! I've just seen her-Mrs
Hughes, l mean-and her face was
study"
Nell paused to laugh, and Betty Low
ell looked up from the dainty toque sh
was trimming to ask amusedly:
Wasn't she awfully angry! Why, i
was only last week she called here ant
extolled her to the skies--farther, i
possible! Luckily she offers high wages
SO she can easily find another"
"Ah, there's where the cream of tn,
joke comes in. Don't You know she ii
entertaining Major Lorimer-the Maiol
Lorimer-at dinner tonight: He is pass
ing through Woodthorpe Oh his way tt
the Carews for the regimental ball.
Mrs. Hughes is an old ~friend-so she
says-so he's staying a couple of day.
with them. She's got all the eatables il
the house for the meals, and can't ge,
any u to cook them! Isn't it rich?"
Betty rose suddenly, to the great Diet
rlment OF the toque, a lovely rose flush
rising III her pretty cheeks, her eyos
sparkling.
Nell, I've an ideal" she said sol
emily. Il am going to cook that din.
her if perish in the attempt"
"Betty, are you quite mad?' inoredu.
lousy. "What will Mrs. Hughes think
And If any one saw you you'd never
hear the end of it, and father would be
wild il he knew"
Il don't care" Betty said stoutly.
II 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 anythingv'
An hour later saw her hard at work
in Mrs. Hughes we'll 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 babe fair to 20
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
a beaming smile Oh her fat face.
"Miss Lowell, you're a genius" she
cried fussily. "The dinner was perfect
perfect! Tomorrow nights it too
much to expect? I could wire to town,
Of COURSE
do you mean you'd like me to come
again?' Betty asked good naturally. 81
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
and no one about to fetch it,
she d%eoided-to be her own messenger,
and, running hastily round a corner Of
the spacious kitchen garden, she collided
heavily with some one at the other side,
"Good heavensl IL hope / haven't
hurt you!" a mans deep voice asked
concernedly. And Betty lifted up her
eyes to find herself face to face with a
tall, soldierly man about 80, whose
handsome eyes met hers ~anxiously.
"I-oh, not at all, thank you," she
murmured confusedly. SIT was my
III never dreamed you would
be here.
"I'm afraid I came p%rettily heavily
you. Were you looking for any
Eyes" Betty said. intensely con-
sctous of her pink cotton frook and
large linen apron, II Jane for some
parsley. I'm Mrs. Hughes cook,
you know"
Indeed. May I help your" grave
y. And in a moment Betty beheld Ma.
jor Lorimer-the hero, the gallant V,
C~.-stooping to gather enough parsley
70 stock q regiment.
"Thank you very much, and-and
good afternoon"
GOOD afternoon, and-ln case / have
,urt you'-
He pressed something into her hand,
md Betty fled.
Safe in the innermost recesses Of the
,antry she opened her hand and with
burning blush and stiied laugh gazed
ong on its contents, for In her palm
ay a bright, shining goldpieoe.
The regimental ball was at it's height.
70 Betty Lowell it was just one long
lream Of delight, and her pleasure
n it reached a eliminating point when
officer approached her, in his real