The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1901-04-12

, SlSltIS were very lar lIOui
despising the girls ready imagination.
1t had often helped to solve an econ
omic prblem which they themselves
had abandoned to despair. But this
crisis of the maid to order seemed con-
siderably beyond Gertrude even, and
they frankly announced themselves
skeptics.
do you mean to look for your re-
markable maid here in the suburbs or
elsewhere?" they demanded.
L shall procure her in the city-or,
rather, shall go on little trip to the
city, and l will send the maid to you in
my absence"
But, Gertrude! If you leave now
for the city you won't have time, child,
to get back for Mrs. Caulkington's
luncheon"
I'm not afraid but I'm glad of an
excuse to absolve myself. I'm in awe
of Mrs. Caulkington, and l tremble be-
fore the glare of her lorgnettes. You
can make my excuses to Mrs Caulking-
ton and tell her that l was obliged to go
into the city on pressing business"
1t seemed an injustice that Gertrude
should not be there to witness the sue
all worked so hard
The older girls reasoned, pleaded, rep
resented, but Gertrude stood firm.
PART IL.
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 diningroom.
Suddenly purling of Bingham skirts
brushed the silence of the place. and
soft voice sounded in Isabels ear.
"If you please, Miss" said the voice.
'NIiss Gertrude done send me. am de
maid to ordah."
Good graciousv' shrieked Isabel, I'M
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.
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. a strikingly handsome
young woman. Her pink Bingham gown
fitted to perfection and closely resem-
bled one worn by Gertrude for morn
ings on the porch. Her dainty ruffled
apron was strikingly like one which
Isabel herself wore while sewing.
Perched saucily in her black, rpply
hair, she wore bit of a cap, which,
when examined at close range, seemed
to be nothing more than tuft of white
lace cleverly pinned
Isabel took second look at her new
acquisition and dropped into a chair
laughing weakly
Miss Gertrude done send me. Miss, -
the maid repeated softly. "And she
said TO yO' to jest go set in de parlo'
and leave all the servin' to me-"
"Oh, Gertrude, Gertrude" gurgled
Isabel what nonsense won't that
child attempt?"
The luncheon was faultlessly served
Never was waitress quicker, lighter
, softer. more all-seeing, more graceful.
, Even the critical Mrs. Caulkington
was impressed.
: Afterward, when the luncheon party
had adjourned to the drawing-room
the guest deliberately led around to the
subject of domestics.
? do you find it as hard to get good
. girls in the suburbs as we do in the
, city?' she asked. Il imagine not. fol-
) that young waitress of yours is perfec
ton itself"
well. good girls are very scarce
here" answered Isabel. "And I've ne
doubt we'd have endless trouble if we
, had to change But, you see, we have
raised Anna ourselves. She knows oul
, own ways and suits us perfectly
We've had her for more than ten years
I know she'll never leave us unless, o.
course. she marries and has home O
her own
= MY dear girl. you simply have ;
treasure" cried the visitor will
warmth. "If l were in your place
would shiver at the very thought o
q losing her. And, do you know, sine
n I've seen how perfectly your little tabl
is arranged and served, I'm reall,
D afraid of what Miss Isabel will thinl
e when she comes to me in the city.
hope you will close your eyes to a mum
y Der of things in my housekeeping, Mis-
t Isabel"
J. ooh. l am not critical, Mrs. Caulking