Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1902-11-22
4 Temporary Substitutes Permanent PLACE.

with me in tne afternoon
Miss Drury looked at her nephew
with tears in her eyes. Felix" She
said solemnly. If you get me out of
this difficulty you may ask me for any
thing IN the world
Felix was as good as his word. He
departed for town directly after break
fast next morning. smiling gooGAi-
moredly at the chaff of his fellow
guests. and reappeared triumphant IN
the afteroon proudly escorting tie
new cook.
I've brought her, Aunt Min he
announced. rushing excitedly into Miss
Dfury's boudoir. she was & Tie
Rawscn's last summer and an ICON
monty good cook she is. Blair lie:
name, it's great piece of luo that
she was disengaged. you know
Miss Drury went hurriedly down
stairs to inspect the new arriys. "aI
70 explain to her the arrangements
for the evenings dinner.
Il was a little taken aback at first
she said latter on 10 her nephew.
Blair locks SO young and so pretty,
and sc-er-refined. hut she seems
Very capable and fully qualified to
send MP an excellent dinner"
Yes replied Felix, eagerly. she
has had course of cooking lessons
at South Kensington. believe she is
no end Of a swell 8, IT,"
Really. my dear boy" said Miss
Drury, looking affectionately at her
nephew. Il am most touched h. the
interesi you have shown in this domcs-
tic difficulty and the trouble you have
taken. If only Blair does not falsify
our expectations | shall owe you a
debt Of gratitude"
The dinner proved an immense sur
cess, and even Miss Drury had 20 cen
fess thai Parilins could not have done
better. As FOR SIR Gregory. he
chuckled with delight and went steal
lily through the menu FROM beginning
to end.
Really. my dear Miss Drury," lie
said when at length he was obliged 10
passed herself. | don't know when |
have eaten better dinner; that souf-
&c was simply work Of art
Only ore contTeienps married the
harmony OF the evening. and FORUM
a;ely Miss Drury did not witness his
l;:.lc incident. as il occurred when the
ladies had retired 10 the drawing
:c3El.
Felix WIS doing the tonors CT his
aunt's table when the sound OF 5cut-
Ge arrested his attention and witt.
has,y excuse to his guests he left The
room and rushed into the passage,
whore ne found an ardent young foot
man trying vainly to embrace very
angry but bcwitchiagly pretty young
woman in white cap and apron.
You impudeat wretch" she was
saying. how dare you try and kiss
me- Mr.. Livingstone. help"
Felix turned en- the man in a per-
feet fury and dragged him away.
John" he said. locking rs If lie
could have killed him with pleasure.
leave that lady alone ct once and
clear out. Here are your wages Co."
The man gazed at him, dumb with
surprise.
Il beg your pardon, Mr. Felix" he
stammered at length, Il meant no
arm. often used to kiss Mrs. Par
kins. | didn't know as 'ow Miss Blair
would mind"
The cooks angry face relaxed, and
she burst into a peal of laughter. in
which. after some hesitation, Felix
Joined.
Never mind. John she said. "Ill
forgive you this once. only don't try
it again. dare say Mr.. Felix will al
low you TO stay if you behave yonr-
self"
Felix nodded impatiently. ard the
man fed TO the lower regions. hu. il
was some minutes before Miss Blair
took her place at the servants hall
supper locking rather flushed. or be-
fore Felix rejoined the men in the lin
ing-rcom.
Parkinss illness lasted week. and
throughout that time Blair continued
10 charm the palates of the inmates of
Woodlands. All the same. Miss Dru1y
was rather relieved when the last day
of the temporary cooks stay came.
for try as she would 10 disbelieve the
! evidence of her senses. there was no
Disgusting the fact that Felix was al
ways hanging about the kitchen On
some rreteNt or another. That her
nephew could so far forget what was
due both to himself and TO her, as 10
even carry on mild Irritation with a
servant, Miss Drury would not allow
for n moment. Her horror can ther2-
fore be better imagined than describ-
ed when. on descending 10 the kitchen
the last afternoon for the purpose Of
paying Blair her wages, she saw on
opening the door. pretty. white
capped head reposing On her nephew's
shoulder. while his arm was tenderiy
clasping an aproned waist.
Kitty, darling. she heard him say
tenderly, Il couldn't let you go away
without telling you loved you.
know | ought not 10 have done SO. for
goodness only knows when shall lie
able to marry you
DO you think Miss DTury will he
very angry" asked tho girl.
Miss Drur. coughel. and at the omi-
nous sound the guilty couple started
apart and looked with dismay at the