The Republican journal., 1902-08-07
feast, but George caught no glimpse of

of train arrivals in the evening paper,
he looked up suddenly and said:
Did you get a reference with the
new grip
Annabel started.
''Bless me- she cried, Il forgot all
about it.
George shook. his head.
That's bad" he said. 1--WE can't be
too careful about these strangers. Bis
com told me today about a girl they
took without reference. She stayed
one night and disappeared with his
wife's best frock. III see the girl and
find out about her.
Don't say anything that will hurt
her feelings, dear. Perhaps I'd better
go with you"
You stay here" said George "rll
be right back"
But he didn't come right back. He
was gone long time. Once Annabel
thought she heard the sound of laughter
in the direction of the kitchen, and
pretty soon she grew so tidgety that
she determined to follow George and
discover what had become of him.
She softly entered the dining-roo
and stole across and opened the door
into the china closet. The swinging
door into the kitchen had glass panels
IN 1T, and through these Annabel could
look without beng observed.
The new maid was standing by the
kitchen table washing dishes, and be
side her stood George. lie had taken
off his coat and there was a big blue
apron tied about his neck. and he was
Wlplng the dishes as fast as the new
maid washed them.
And they both were merrily laughing.
Annabel softly retreated back to the
library wondering what it meant. And
after while George returned
The reference seems to be all right,
he SAID. Il know some of the people
she mentioned, and III look the matter
up more fully tomorrow
Il thought | heard you laughing out
there said Annapel.
perhaps you did, said George.
She needed little cheering up. 1t
seems that she's seen better days or
something like that, and comes of a
pretty good family, and We've got to
try to please her, | found that out
right away. She's no ordinary woman.
and we must expect to humor her"
Then she thinks she'll stay with
u.s." said Annabel.
Yes" said George. she likes YOU
and she likes the house and think she
is going to like me. Anyway. she said
she meant to stay just as long as we'd
make her welcome"
I'm very glad" said -Annabel. Il
never was so much taken with stran-
ger before
YES" said George, but don't forget
that we have to treat her we'll We
must let her sleepln the front chamber"
tonight
Why, George, that's the guest-cham-
ber'''
~ es, | know"
And it's all ready for Aunt Mary"
That can't be helped" said George
Well let the maid sleep there to-
night, and then We can make other ar
engagements. Sort of let her down easy,
you know"
why. George never heard of such
a thing, You'll spoil her"
Very WELL said George. III take
the responsibility, We've gotto humor
her. III 90 up now and light the gas.
The-the maid is tired and wants to re-
tire early, and she has to arise early too,
you know
He paused in the hall doorway and
looked around.
"AnnabeI," he softly said.
We'll dear
YOU'RE a little goose"
And he Went up the stairs chuckling.
Annabel did not rise early the next
morning. She was tired and sleepy,
and a load of responsibility was off her
mind. She did not know that George
was up at daylight and busting down
stains and rafting about the range.
But after awhile she dimly compre-
hended that somebody was calling her.
Y es, it was George. What was he say
ing?
"Annabel, Annabel, come down. you
lazybones. Aunt Mary is here and
breakfast is waiting"
Aunt Mary come, And the hostess
not up TO welcome her Oh, what a
shame.
How she hustled on her garments and
twisted up her pretty hair
When she tripped into the library she
looked about her eagerly. George was
standing by the mantel, and in the din
lng-room doorway the new maid looked
at her with a smiling face.
Where is Aunt Mary she cried.
George answered her questioning
glance by opening his eyes very wide
and then shutting one OF them very
tight.
THE reference proves to be all right,
my dear he said, with comical
quaver i'll his voice.
Annabel looked from George to the
new maid, and the new maids smile
slowly deepened.
Then she suddenly understood.
~ ou-you are Aunt Mary" she
cried. "Oh, oh, how stupid l am
and two big tears suddenly trembled on
her long lashes.
1T wasn't very nice piece of decep-
ton, my dear she SAID. ''But you know
how | drifted into it. Besides. it gave
me such a nice chance to make YOUR
acquaintance. And then | knew this
wicked boy would appreciate the little
joke so much. You must forgive me,
dear
Your jewel stands the test. my love"
laughed George.
Then Annabel couldn't help smiling.
breakfast is waiting said Aunt
Mary.-W, h. Rose, i'll Cleveland
Plain Dealer
The Real Cause of Dear Meat.
During the last three years the prices
of live beeves have risen about 10 per