The daily morning Alaskan., 1902-03-01
THE. BACHHOR'S COOK.

tlsed for cook, Twenty-Five. young women and ten old ones answered the advertisement. Among the twenty-nvc young women was slim creat9e In the shabblest shawl and bonnet there, with exactly enough flesh on her bones to hold them together. but a lady ev- cry inch of her.
 "Reference." be said to her as she sat before him.
 She took oif mended glove and showed him a forehnger rough as n nutmeg with much sewing.
 There's the only proof have that I've been trying to earn an honest llv' Ing" said she.
 "An odd reference for q cook" said he.
 That's for character" said she. I'll show you how I can cook. I'll give practical proof of that.' -f>
 You are not servant" said he.
 Not yet. | mean to be. I've been sewing for a living. and I am sick of it." said she -. ....
 He named the wages and took her down Into the kitchen. where the young person who was general assist ant received her with a bewildered stare
 After that he did not see her for foun weeks. but his meals were delicious, At the end of the time he went down stairs to pay her wages. IL was late in the evening. A plump lady with pink cheeks sat before the fire stoning ralsins. He did not know her at first. but as the knowledge dawned on him he realized how nearly she had been to starvation on the day when he hired her. All he said was:
 "I like my steak broiled less"
 After that he saw her once in four weeks regularly. She never said any thlng Co him but Thank ye. sir" He llways found fault with something. hls eyes fixed on vacancy the while. uc was trim and biz bachelor of for tv. with handsome black side whlskers. She was thirty and a warm tinted blond. not red paired. though the kitch- en girl thought so. Her hair was IT. tian's pet color. Outwardly she called her master that bear" Secretly she thought him very handsome.
 One day the dinner came down m tasted.
 What fault has he found with h Gow;"
 None" said the girl Hes sick"
 At breakfast no one came 10 the ta' ble.
 Then the cook ascended the stairs and. finding pair of boots outside one door. knocked at it.
 Come ln." said faint voice. She went In. and the result of her ln' vcStlgatlon was a telegram to the doc tor. Her master. who had always been proud or not being vaccinated. had caught the smallpox.
 "You'd better go You'll catch It. said he.
 "Tm not afraid said she. some body must stay. you know"
 She stayed. As he got better he re- ,wardcd her-as conyalescent men al ways do reward their nurses-by scoldlng her and finding fault with ev. erything.
 One day. however. he, being well. though stlll In quarantine. had some vile connection brought him for his dinner.
 What Is thisT he asked. "Its the best I could do," said Brid- get. who. having been a victim to the disorder In her childhood, had no Tear of lt. Cook has gone orf."
 Where has she goneY' asked the master.
 'To the hospital" said Bridget. "She did be getting the smallpox. and she went"
 He tried in vain to discover her whereabouts. but Bridget showed sa- gaclty. "The wages are owing and the trunks in the bedroom. Cook will come back"
 So "the master waited. A month passed: another week: then another; then one evening some one rang the bell.
 Cook Is back and wants to see you. " said Bridget.
 "The master" went Into the parlor' There sat the long absent woman. Her hair had been cut short and cUi led up about her temples. but her complexion was not spoiled. though sine was ih!n and worn again.
 Eve come to see whether you want ed me to cook for you again" said she. "No." said be.
 "very we'll" said she.
 "You had no business to go olf that way" said he.
 who'd have taken care of meT' she asked
 'lt was my duty to see 10 that after all you'd done for me-" said he.
 Not at all" said che. And about the wages? | don't want to hurry you, but need the money"
 "Oh. you dor 6aid he.
 Then he sat down near her.
 "What a bear was to you" said he. 'Yes. indeed" said she.
 "Fretted and found fault with you"
 "So unreasonable. too," said she,
 And yet you'd cook for me againr said he.
 If suit you" said she.