Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1901-02-09
A MAID TO ORDER.

expanse of damask that embodied it was
one of the Misses Dormonds most treas
ured possessions. saved out of general
wreck of family fortunes.
The oldfashioned silver, of those inin
liable patterns which no modern shop can
supply, cleaned like irregularly- shaped
planets at intervals across the cloth.
Moreover, daffodil bulb cherished in
windowsill warmth, had obligingIy
thrown out a handful of blossoms. This
pot, sheathed in yellow tissue paper made
thoroughly attractive cenuerpiece
1T is simply lovely" said Winifred,
with little sigh of relief and satisfac-
ton. Il shan't be in the least afraid to
have Mrs. Caulkington' eagle eye turned
upon it, even though you are candidate
FOR her secretaryship, Isabel, and SO
much does depend upon making a good
impression
good impression" Isabel broke in. 1T is
clean and sweet and old-fashoned from
Top to toe One can't say that a house
mas toe There's just one thing lack
ing: L do wish we had good maid to
wait on the table | hate those embar-
RAISING breaks in a home luncheon where
the hostess is obliged to cut off in the
middle of sentence and bolt into the
Kitchen to bring the broiled squad course
to table
Yes. That's always wretchedly EN-
Darrassing," Isabel agreed. Its harder
on the guests than the hostess, too. How
ever, there's no help for it. We don't
Where you can find a girl to call in for
day, at a time. It's pity, but it can't
be helped "
What is a pity but can't be helped"
demanded the youngest Miss Dormond,
VINO plrouetted into the room just in time
TO hear the last half of the sentence?
Isabel and l were lamenting that we
didn't have maid to serve the luncheon,
Gertrude. We We're saying now desper-
ately embarrassing it is for q hostess to
jump up to remove the plates after a
course. and to bring the next course to
table"
Il never thought of that" Gertrude ac-
quiesced in a disappointed tone. Our en-
tertalnlng has always been so informal
were likely to make the guests change
the plates and bring in the courses from
the kitchen themselves. But it's true as
you say, that kind of thing won't do
when were entertaining Mrs. Caulking
ton. She's so critical that her eyes burn
holes in anything they fall on We
wouldn't mind her little peculiarities if
she were merely an acquaintance. But
if Isabel is going to demand a big fat
SdldTy Sne must make Il Dig TAT impress
sion. I'm sure Mrs. CaulkingtOn would
cut her down half if she knew how poor
we are and how badly we need that sec
retaryship. Something must be DONE"
Gertrude, dear, you know perfectly
well that nothing can be done. There are
only two hours left and, in any case, You
can't secure a girl here in the country to
come in for just one day"
II know that, but whsht my dear An
idea dawns in my brain, Let it nature
An idea for what For getting us a
maidT'
Yes, my dear. A ready maid so to
speak"
SILLY! Do you think Isabel and I
have time to waste upon your vapor-
ings?"
"A ready maid No. a maid to order!
Don't talk to me for three minutes. l
| feel the idea grow in my cerebrum-and
| ii really is good one"
The young lady sat down in the little
oaken window and buried her face in
her hands
Three minutes later she sprang up and
pirouetted triumphantly around the
charming table.
'Huzza! I've solved the problem" she
cried And I'll stand for it that YOU
| shall have a maid to serve Mrs Caulk-
lngton's luncheon. A stunning maid we'll
trained, light footed, soft voiced; a maid
who VIII not send so much as one plate
of raw oysters down the back of your
| guest; who will do things without dio-
grams and will not cause the downfall
ana destruction of our precious willow
pattern china. In fact. the maid | pro-
prose TO offer you will be an explanatory
key with copious illustrations to the en-
| tire servant question"
Gertrudc,s sisters We're very far from
despising the girls ready Imagination II
mad often helped TO solve an economic
problem which they themselves had
abandoned to despair. But this crisis of
the mald to order seemed considerably
beyond Gertrude even, and they frankly
announced themselves skeptics
DO YOU mean to look for your ro
nork9hle maid here in the suburbs or
eisewhere| they demanded
Shali procure her in the citv-or
rather, | shall 30 on a little trip to the
city anu VIII send the maid to you in
| my absence" -
But, Gertrude. If YOU leave now for
the city YOU won't have time child n
get pack for Mrs, Caulkington's Inch
| con" ''iN"-
I'm not afraid, but I'm glad Of an ex.
SQSe 10 ahsolve myself I'm in awe OF
Mrs. CauIkington, and l tremble before
me glare OF her lorgnettes, You can
make my excuses to Mrs. Caulkinoton
aud tell her that l was obliged 10 90 into
the city ON pressing business"
II seemed an Injustice that Gertrude
should not be there to witness tbe snc.
cess of the occasion for which they had
| all worked SO hard.
The older girls reasoned pleoded
represented, bur Gertrude stood firm
PART II.
Mrs. Caulkington's critical eyes w.r,.
already boring holes in the drawn,
room furniture ANA the luncheon ham
was hut 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 Il purling Of Bingham Skirts
brushed the silence Of the place. and a
soft voice sounded in I>abelS ear.
If You please. Miss" said the votrn
! Miss Gertrude done send me. am dc
maid 10 ordah." w
Good gracious shreked Isabel. I'M
der her breath. She started bark w.,
oyster plate in her hand narrowly as.
! Gaping calamity.