Connecticut western news., 1899-02-02
MRS. HUGHES COOK.


 Betty, Mrs. Hughes is in such a state! That immaculate new cook of hers has decamped with lot of money, not to speak of brand new Parisian ball gownl I've just seen her-Mrs. Hughes, mean-and her face was a study l"
 Nell paused to laugh, and Betty Lov- 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 possiblel Luckily she offers high wages, so she can easily find another An, there's where the cream of the joke comes in. Don't you know she is entertaining Major Lorimer-the Major Lorimer-at dinner tonightf 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 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, a lovely rose flush rising in her pretty cheeks, her eyes sparkling.
 Nell, I've an ideal" she said sol emnly. II 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"
 T don't oare," Betty said stoutly. 1T want the money, Mrs. Hughes wants her dinner decently cooked. Why shouldn't we mutually oblige each oth- CT? Besides, it would buy me new gown for the ball. My pink crepon is too disgracefully shabby for anything!"
 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 ha.ssed eln- ployer had seized upon her offer with avidity, aud the maids falling into the spirit of the thing, all bade fair to go smoothly.
 Betty had not overrated her capabili- | ties. Each dish was sent up perfectly cooked, garnished and served piping hot, md 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 ont 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 ,ried fussily. "The dinner was perfect perfect! Tomorrow night-is it tco much to expect? I could wire to town. of course''-
 | "Do you mean you'd like me to come again?' Betty asked good naturedly "I am quite willing to do so. After all, it IS a mutual convenience. | Accordingly, though sorely against | Sell'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 a corner of | the spacious kite hen garden, she collided | heavily with some one at the other side. | Good heavens! I-I hope l haven t hurt you:'' mans deep voice asked concernedly. And Betty lifted up her eyes to find herself face to face with a tall, soldierly man about 30, whose handsome eyes met hers anxiously.
 "I-oh, not at all, thank you" she murmured confusedly. "It was my fault. I-I never dreamed you would be here.
 ''I'm afraid I came prettily heavily against you. Were you looking for any thing?"
 "Yes," Betty said, intensely con. scious of her pink cotton frock and parsley. I'm Mrs. Hughes cook, you know"
 "Indeed. May help you?" grave iy. And in moment Betty beheld Ma jor Lorimer-the hero, the gallant " lC.-stooping to gather enough parsley to stock regiment.
 "Thank you very much, and-and good afternoon.
 Good afternoon, and-in case have hurt you"-
 He pressed something into her hand, and Betty fed.
 Safe in the innermost recesses of the pantry she opened her hand and with a burning blush and stifled laugh gazeSl long on it's contents, for in her palm lay bright, shining goldpiece.
 
 The regimental ball was at its height. To Betty Lowell it was just one long dream of delight, and her pleasure in 1t reached eliminating point when an officer approached her, in his rear one vividly remembered figure, ant Captain Lee said:
 "Miss Lowell, Major Lorimer desire the pleasure of your acquaintance. Ma ior Lorimer-Miss Lovell."
 Betty bowed, wave of color dyeint her fair face crimson. Would he reeog nize her? She dared not raise her eye as he asked:
 "Am too late for the honor of dance1 Are you engaged for the next?'
 "I was, but my partner has beel compelled to take an important dowsge info mnnar. xen~yea nay hays it.