The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-12-11


and gentle breeze from the
south swayed the long curtains.
But there was very little sunshine
IN Annabel Maitland's heart. and the
south wind brought no soothing rehei
TO her flushed brow.
She had Just cleared away the break
fast things and busted tine library and
hall. and now she was standing at the
window of the little reception room,
looking anxiously out on the street.
Presently there were two sharp whirrs
st the telephone. Annabel ran back to
the instrument. 1t was a call from
George. His Aunt Mary hadn't come.
She must have missed the train some
where The next train wouldn't be i'll
until o'clock. He would meet it then
and bring his aunt home with him.
Amy girl YETI" he called.
No" replied Annabel with little
catch in her voice.
That's tough,' said George. But
we'll get along some way Goodbye
Annabel hung up the receiver with a
petuIant little jerk.
ITS all very well to say well get
along some way she grumbled, "but
what good does that do? George cant
lift his finger to do thing about the
house. Poor. old dear. And did want
tn have everything so nice wheh ms
aunt came. Well, I'm TO get a Few
hours' respite. anyway. Id better be
studying the cook book some more, or
shall DUST"
And then the telephone bell gave its
double whrr again.
This Is the Unique Employment
Agency" said q voice. 1--WE have girl
that We think would suit YOU She has
an excellent recommendation. And she
says she can take the place at once?'
send her right up, please" said
.\nnabel.
she will be up after luncheon," said
the voice.
This time when Annabel hung up the
receiver she smiled. Then she stepped
into the library and packing up the
cook book. threw it back on the highest
book shelf.
"Ill take that girl. no matter what
she's like she murmured.
Then she hung up the feather duster
on its hook in the closet under the front
stairway. and after inspecting the
kitchen to see that everything was neat
and clean and shning-for Annabel was
an excellent housekeeper. despite her
culinary limitations-she sought the
upper part of the house and busted her.
self tidying up the room that was set
aside as the girls room.'
Annabel felt relieved: so very much
relieved that she broke forth in song.
1t was a song that George had liked
before they We're married. How the
time had flown. 1t seemed but yester-
day that he was leaning over the piano
and begging her for another verse. And
now they We're stad old married people.
Married two years last October. She
stopped her song just long enough to
interpolate Il little sigh and then went
on.
Probably it was the song that pre-
vented her from hearing the doorbell
it rang, and several times. too. And
then Annabel was startled by loud
rap at the kitchen door. She hurried
down stairs and hastily turned the key
and the knob.
There stood neatly garbed woman,
Il woman of middle age. with pleas
ant smile on her motherly face.
.,nnabel smiled too. when she caught
sight of the stranger.
Come right in." she said. I'm so
glad you didn't dsappoint me. They
lCltpHOI1eO tildl Ou NOulu ut up
til after luncheon"
''Who tclephoned"" inquired the
stranger, and she still smiled.
why. the agency people" replied
Annabe Wont you sit down.
The stranger accepted the invitation
and Annabel seated herself before her.
''Of course you cook" she said
The stranger smiled again.
h,I t,,.n, ~ mani an.a a
ii, ma am" she said, with a queer lit
Tie twitch to her mouth.
plain or fancy
II think l may say both. ma a'am.'
II like the modest way YOU say it,"
said Annabel. "rhey most always
boast so. DO you make good bread?'
II have been told so, ma am
And pies and cakes?"
''\es, ma am, and cookies
George likes cookies. Yes. and he
likes fried cakes. DO you make fried
cakcs?''
Yes. mu'am, and iohnnycake, too"
"ile loves johnnycake. but We never
. had "A girl who could make IL to suit
him. What afternoon would you like
OUT"
=. I'm not very particular, ma'am,"
said the stranger. Perhaps we can
arrange that later
I'm sure we can" said Annabel. II
pay four dollars and have laundress
two days in the week.
THAT is satisfactory, | think" said
the stranger. Have YOU much COM
pany?"
Very little" said Annabel, land | al
ways help with the work, too. You
wouldn't mind my coming into the
kitchen, would you'"
Not in the least" said the stranger,
81 think I'd rather like it,
Thank you said Annabel. "And |
hope you find the kitchen suits you"
The stranger looked about her with n
critical eye,
clean" she said, with an approving
nod,
II think you will find the place a
comparatively easy one" said Anna
he'll "There will be no children to
bother you."
II am sorry for that" said the
stranger.
Annabel gave her quick glance.
~ think am going To like you very
much" she said, "Will YOU look at
your room now?"
So she took the stranger up The back
stairs to The airy and sweet smelling
chamber, with its snowy bed and cur
tahis, and the stranger as she laid aside
her hat and cape, said the room quite