Morris tribune., 1901-03-02

Gertrude's sisters were very Tar from
despising the girls ready imagination.
1t had often helped to solve an econom-
ic problem which they themselves had
abandoned in despair. But this crisis
of the maid to order seemed consider
ably beyond Gertrude even. and they
frankly announced themselves skep-
tics.
"Do you mean to look for your re-
markable maid here in the suburb or
elsewherew they demanded.
81 shall procure her in the city, or,
rather, l shall go on trip to the
city, and 1 will send the maid to you
in my absence"
"But, Gertrude! # you leave now
for the city you won't have time, child,
to get back for Mrs. CaulkinSton'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 trembie
before the glare of her lorgnettes. You
can make my excuses to Mrs. Caulk-
ington and tell her that was obliged
to go into the city on pressing bust
ness" - -~sSss.tAs"=s---,--
It Seemed an injustice that Gertrude
should not be there to witness the sue
cess Of the occasion for which they had
all worked so hard. -""~---+"''-.--ssAsas''-'s
The older girls reasoned, pleaded, rep
resented, but Gertrude stood firm.
. +
Mrs. Caulkfngton'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 Isabels ear.
eff yo' please, MISS" said the voice,
''Miss Gertrude done send me. I am
de maid to ordah."
"Good gracious!' 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 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
resembled one worn by Gertrude for
mornings on the porch. Her dainty
ruffied 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.
Isabel took a second look at her new
acquisition and dropped into chair,
laughing weakly.
"Miss Gertrude done send me, miss"
the maid repeated softly, ian she said
TO- yo' to jest go set in de parlah an
leave all de serEin to me-"
''Oh, Gertrude, GertrudeT gurgled Is
abel. "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, for
that young waitress of yours is perfec-
ton ITSELF
swell, good girls are very scarce
here" answered Isabel, land I've no
doubt we'd have endless trouble if we
had to change. But, you see, we, have
raised Anna ourselves. She knows our
own ways and suits us perfectly. We've
had her for more than ten years.
know she'll never leave us-unless, Of |
course, she marries and has home Of
her own"
"My dear girl, you simply have
treasure" cried the visitor, with
warmth. eff 1 were in your place,
would SILVER at the very thought Of
losing her. And, do you know, since
I've seen how perfectly your little table
is arranged and served Pm really afraid
Of what Miss Isabel will think when
she comes to me in the city. l hope
you will close your eyes to number of
things in my housekeeping, Miss Isa-
bel"
ooh, am not critical, Mrs. Caulking-
ton," laughed Isabel. Sand every one
knows how hard it is to get maids like
Anna nowadays" What to Eat.