The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1901-04-12
to get back for Mrs. Caulkington's

to get back for Mrs. ,Caulkington's
luncheon"
I'm not afraid, but I'm glad of an
excuse to absolye myself. I'm in awe
of Mrs. Caulkington, and tremble
before the glare of her lorgnettes. You
can make my excuses to Mrs. Iaulk-
ington and tell her that was obliged
to go into the city on pressing busl-
ness"
1t seemed an injustice that Gertrude
should not be there to witness the suc-
cess of the occasion for which they mad
all worked so hard.
The older girls reasoned, pleaded, rep
resented, but Gertrude stood firm.
- -
Mrs. Caulkington's critical eyes were
already boring holes in the drawing
room furniture, and the luncheon hour
was but three minutes in the future.
Isabel, in her prettiest silk waist,
was arranging the oyster plates upon
the table preliminary to ushering their
guest into the dining room.
Suddenly purling of gingham skirts
brushed the silence of the place, and
soft voice sounded in Isabers ear.
IF yo' please, MISS said the voice,
| Miss Gertrude done send me. am
de maid to ordah."
| "Good gracious" shrieked Isabel un-
/ der her breath. She started back, the
/ oyster plate in her hand narrowly es-
| Gaping calamity.
/ She said Good gracious" once more,
and very fervently. when she turned,
1 for there, not a yard from her side,
waiting to be assigned to her duties,
/ stood the most desirable of colored
Mattresses.
She was tall, well poised and, bar
ring her skin, strikingly handsome
young woman. Her pink gingham
i gown fitted to perfection and closely
resembled one worn by Gertrude fol
mornings ON the porch. Her dainty
struf1led apron was strikingly like one
& which Isabel herself wore while sew,
ing. Perched saucily in her black, rip
ply hair she wore bit Of cap, which
when examined at close range, seemed
to be nothing more than tuft of white
lace cleverly pinned. =
4 Isabel took a second look at her new
acquisition and dropped into chair
laughing weakly.
"AIiss Gertrude done send me, miss,
the maid repeated softly, IAN she sait
fo' yo' to jest go set in de parlah al
leave all de servin to me-
"Oh, Gertrude, Gertrude!" gurgled Is
: abel. What nonsense won't that chile
attempt?"
q The luncheon was faultlessly served
Never was waitress quicker, lighter
I softer, more all seeing, more graceful.
Even the critical Mrs. Gaulkingto
:, was impressed.
Afterward, VIXEN the luncheon part
had adjourned to the drawing room, til
i guest deliberately led around to til
subject of domestics.
/ "Do you find it as hard to get goo
girls in the suburbs as we do in I'll
e city," she asked. II imagine not, Il
l. that young waitress of yours is perfe
ton ITSELF
a "Well, good girls are very scare
81 here answered Isabel, land I've |
Y doubt we'd have endless trouble If "
had to change. But, you see, we hay
e raised Anna ourselves. She knows OF
2. own ways and suits us perfectly. Wes'
70 had her for more than ten years.
e know she'll never leave us-unless,
n course, she marries and has home
! her own"
IT "A1y dear girl, you simply have
4 treasure cried the visitor, wi
20 warmth. ''If We're in your place,
n would shiyer at the very thought
= losing her. And, do you know, Sin
re I've seen how perfectly your little tab
IS is arranged and served Pm really afra
re of what Miss Isabel will think VIII
N she comes to me in the city. no
er you will close your eyes to a'number
re things in my housekeeping. Miss Is
y bel"
ooh, ]. am not critical, Mrs. Caulkin
~ ton" laughed Isabel. "And every 0
re knows how hard it is to get maids Ii
Sc Anna nowadays"- to Eat.
L.